Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-09
Failure of Senate to Appro-
pirate Building Finances
Alarms Leaders.
EXTENSION OF TWO-SHIFT
SYSTEM ALSO PREDICTED
High Cost of Building Material
Reason Fer Blocking Funds,
Senators Explain.

Virtually the entire public school
system on two-shift system of oper-
alton. with fifty and perhaps sixty
children literally packed into class
rooms intended to accommodate a
maximum of forty, are prospective
future conditions as pictured last
night by school officials. This fore
cast was made following the. an
nouncement that the District appro-
priatfon bill, as reported in the SEN
ate. carried not one of the proposals
for the erection of new school build
ings. which have been indicated as
Immediately needed to alleviate pres
ent overcrowded conditions.
The action of the Senate appropria-
tions committee in reporting the Dis
trict appropriation bill without a
single provision for the construction
of additional schoolhouses came as
distinct shock to school authorities
who have worked day and night for
the last several months to impress on
Congress. and the public in general.
what they consider the deplorable sit
uation Of the school system. and the
subsequent need of 1873 more class
rooms.
School officials confidentially ex-
pected the measure to grant at least
about $3,O00,000 in order that work
might be started on the contemplated
$5.0o0.000 building project. but the bill
reported in the Senate carried only
1929, 500 of this amount for the sole
purpose of acquiring sites for the
necessary new schools.
Think Prices too High.
The ultimate result of running the
schools under the present conditions,
it was pointed out, will be disinte-
grafton of the system. which is now
said to be on the verge of crumblins
from excessive overload. 1T means
cheap education for the youth OF to-
day who are the citizens OF tomor-
row." said one official
Despite the unfortunate setback.
those interested have not given up
all hope of getting appropriations for
the urgently needed schools. I'VE
will fight all the harder" said Supt
Frank w. Ballou.
The reason of the Senate subcom-
mittee on appropriations for exclud-
ing provisions for new schools in the
money measure, it is explained. was
on the ground that exorbitant prices
were being charged for the erection
of such buildings. 1t was pointed out
that the committee received repoSss
from Denver showing that four-foom
schools were being erected there AZ
a cost of $4,000, and the cost OF the
same size building in Washington is
estimated at 100000.
Two Sides OF Question.
However. officials painted out tnat
all the material used in the, construc-
rion of a schoolhouse in Washington
has to be hauled in many cases a
GREAT distance, while in Denver lum-
her and other building materials can
be obtained in the immediate vicinity,
tbsreby reducing the cost on these
items.
.Of course" said one authority, I'VE
can build semi-fireproof schools here
at less expense than estimated for the
complete fireproof structures. But
the law provides that the school,
houses of Washington shall be OF
fireproof construction"
On the other hand, this official de-
clared, a substantial fireproof build
ine will last for approximately half
a century, or possibly longer. while.
a semi -fireproof structure. built:
cheaply, will only be in use for about
twenty years. Therefore he believes
it will pay in the end to erect SUBJ
stantial fireproof schools. although
they cost more.