Evening star., 1921-07-14
TECH CHT0REQUEST
NEW INSTITUTION
BIoomingdale or Petworth
Picked for Site by Commit
tee After Survey.

Alarmed by the prospect of con-
ditions at Mckinley Manual Training
School this fall growing out of the
attempt to crowd possibly 1000
students, or more, into a building
designed to accommodate less than
1000. representatives of the greater
Tech committee, composed of alum
nj and members of the faculty of the
high school, this week Will request
the board of education Immediately
to approve plans for new building
for the institution.
This step was decided on last night
at a special meeting of the commit
tee at the school, when the urgent
Immediate need for new building, to
I've located in either BloomlnSdale or
Petworth,' WAS emphasized ny grad
uateS, now prominent in the business
and professional world and by mem
berS of the faculty.
In considering the possible loca-
ton of the now structure, the com
mittee had before il a map, specially
prepared. showing the exact location
of the home of each student in the
school during the past school year.
This map indicates, it was stated,
that there are TWO main centers OF
population served by Tech Hlgh
School, as the institution is known,
namely, Georgia avenue, including
prising the district from I'd street
northwest to I'd street northeast and
from Bryant street to - street.
From All Over city.
In addition Tech students are drawn
from Maryland and Virginia and from
all portions of the District of Coium-
bia. some coming as far as tortN mlleS
every day each way. the map discloseS.
Copies of this map showing the resi-
Dental location of each student of the
school have been prepared ana VIII be
presented to the beard of education at
once. il was declared.
Norman II. Barnes, president of the
Tech Alumni Association. pointed out
the almost phenomenal increase in
enrolment at the Mckinley School
in the past fourteen years. when the
total enrolment increased from 800 III
1906 To more than 1900 in the past
Year. thus far Outgrowing the facili-
ties as originally provided. with eN-
tensions from time to time.
This tremendous growth has caused
facilities which We're planned to ac-
Commodate less than 1000 students to
he much overcrOwded. he explained.
The assembly hall. which Will seat
comfortably not more than 500, is
called upon to hold the 1890 students.
he said Present indications make it
apparent that the enrolment next
Year Will be not less than 1,1O0.
500 Must lSc Central.
1t was shown that during the year
just ended il was necessary for the en-
tire freshman class, including 900
students. 10 divide their time between
the old Central High School building,
7th and Q streets. and the Tech build
ing, on Rhode Island avenue, three
blocks away, causing serious loss OF
school time.
1t was brought out by Myles F. Con-
nors. chairman of the greater Tech
committee, that. owing to the crowded
conditions. it has been necessary TO
have staggered hours in the shops and
ClaSSroOms.
He cited that with the large enroll
ment, more than one thousand of which
are boys, there is no provision for ath-
letic training. there being no gymna-
SUM at the school. 1t is necessary for
the athletic teams to seek municipal
accommoda ations IN order to practice for
interscolaStic games.
Louis W. Mattcrn, representative of
the faculty on the greater Tech com
mittee. emphasized also the ''deplorable
conditions which exist in this one high
school in the city All others. he
stated either have a gymnasium at
present or one planned.
Abandon Proposed Addition.
Instead of the addition to the school
proposed in an earlier report, the com
mittee now has definitely decided that
the only solution is the construction
of new building and abandonment
of the old. IT was pointed out that
the committee has coop +ratc'i with
the board of education IN connection
with its general program Cor enlarg-
ed facilities IL Washington. and has
even deferred asking for new build
ing for Tech until the crying need
of the primary schools ha Dcen met.
Since the ac'inn of Congress in ap-
proving the program SIJm:t'1h by
the board. the committee now feC.S
that the TIM las come 20 ask for Il
new building for it's own InStitutI"Il.
There were present al the mrcti'g
last night Norman BarnrS. president
of the alumni association; +. \. Wood
ward, assistant principal of I'll" school:
Louis W. Mattern. general chairman
of the committee: w. {. Meyers. chair
man of the plans and estimates com
mittee and a member of the faculty.
j. Harper Snapp. chairman of the pub
licity committee: Myles r. Connors,
chairman of the ways and means
committee, and Elmer p. Ha-dcll. rep
fesentng the faculty and the alumni
association.
L ,ala