Evening star., 1922-03-07
ASSEMBLY HALLS
TO Be REOPE:NED
Kramer Demands Detailed
Plans for Safeguarding
School Children.


Of the Commissioners. will be reopen
ed to the pupils within few days. it
was indicated today at the Franklin
School. administration headquarters
of the school system. 1t is understood
that Supt. Frank w. Ballou is pre-
pairing an order authorizing the use
Of the school auditoriums by the chill
dren. Use OF the halls for public
functions. however. will not be per-
mitted until authorization Is given by
the District officials.
Permission to the pupils to use the
assembly halls will be granted, 1t
was said. only on condition that the
children be accompanied by their re-
spective teachers and assigned to GER
tain seats. which they will be re-
ouired to use whenever in the audi
toriums. The assigning of regular
seats to the children will be done so
that they may familiarize themselves
with the best manner of leaving the
halls in the event of fire or panic.
Action IL Explained.
School officials intimated that in
granting the pupils the use OF the
assembly halls they do so reluctantly
and with the feeling that if they are
safe for the pupils they are also safe
for the public.
The Commissioners have pointed
out the officials say, that the reason
for the differentiation between the
public and the pupils is that In the
schools there have been developed
fire training and discipline among the
children. who. under the guidance OF
their designated leaders, have been
taught to respond in quiet, prompt
and orderly manner to instructors
given them as to their procedure in
ficials say. they intend to abide strict
ly to the regulations of the Commis-
sioners.
Closing Of the school auditoriums
to the public, it was emphasized by
| school authorities, has hurt to a
great degree the development of the
community center activities. One OFF,
| cial said that it had put back the
community center extension program
about ten years.
Asks Chiefs Recommendations.
| been asked by Assistant Superinten-
| dent of Schools Stephen E. Kramer
for specific recommendations con-
cerning the Central High School au
ditorium. In his letter Mr.. Kramer
calls attention to the fact that the
performances referred to by the fire
chief in a previous communication
have been held in the Central audi
torium ever since the school was
built.
referring to Fire Chief watson's
I letter, Mr.. Kramer said:
Il note in this communication that
you state that theatrical perform
| ances requiring the use. of scenery
and properties have been given
| therein The performances given in
| the assembly hall of the Central
! High School are of a nature identi-
4 cal with the nature Of the perform
ances which have been given for
| practically the entire time In which
| this hall has been used.
| This hall Is used for the assembly of
/ teachers and far the assembly of large
masses Of school children in addition to
| the performces referred to in your let
! ter.
| Mr.. Kramer's Inquiry.
ION behalf Of the school authorities
| desire to state that it is our wish to
conform in every particular with the
regulations set forth by the Commission
ers of the District of Columbia. We
desire to know what gatherings. in your
Judgment, may be held with perfect
safety in this hall. 1t is our desire not
! only to safeguard the public generally
; but to fulfill our primary obligation,
! which is the safety Of the pupils in this
building.
| II feel that we should have a specific
| statement, on the part Of your depart
ment, as to Just what changes, il any,
| should be made In this hall and Its
| equipment in order to make a perfectly
safe place for the gathering OF our
pupils, Our primary obligation is to-
ward these pupils, and il there is any
condition existing in this hall which
makes the hall unsafe for assemblies OF
| adults wherein no properties are used
except a piano used by single per-
former in front of a drawn curtain. then
this condition Of danger must be opera :
tive where large masses OF children are
assembled for addresses or for songs.
| 81 feel sure that you will appre-
ciate that we are more than anxious
| to cooperate with you and we must
have your detailed directions and
this hall. Until we have such in
formation 1 shall direct that the hall
be not used for any gatherings what
soever."
VIII Take Action mt Once.
Deputy Fire Marshal Ochstatter
and Municipal Architect Harris with
in the next few days will inspect all
of the twenty-seven school audi
forums to determine what additional
safeguards against fire are needed.
1t is understood fire department
officials are considering the sugSes-
tion that one high school auditorium,
possibly Central. be made to conform
to all of the fire regulations for
theatrical performances and allow
all of the schools to hold their en-
i
| school assembly halls can be brought
| IN 70 oil the fire protective standards