The Washington herald., 1922-04-05
Mrs. Ra fter Sarcastic
After Reading of Old
Lottery Here.
MOTHERS ARE TOLD
OF CONDITION NOW
Old, Old Story Reveals
Congress Was Ever
Parsimonious.


raised the funds 20 build old Cen
trail High School. and n Congress
continues to withhold assistance
from the public schools of the Dis
trict IL may become necessary 10
stage prize fight or install rou-
lette wheels somewhere in order 20
raise funds for school Playground
and still conform 70 Congressional
practice"
This bit Of satire was directed
at Congress by Mrs. Giles scott
hafter in addressing ninety repre-
sentatives OF various women's or
CARNATIONS who were entertained
by the Congress OF Mothers. Parent
Teachers Association. az a luncheon
at the Arts Club yesterday.
Jefferson Gave s2eo.
Mrs. Rafter, reading from the
"Cyclopedia of Education" by Paul
Monroe. traced the parsImony OF
Congress back TO the City Council
Of 1904 which authorized the first
public school as a permanent in
stitution. and Thomas jefferson. as
a reward for the rift of SEQ. was
made the first president OF the
board Of trustees
In 1911 Paul Monroe described
the present Board Of Education as
a figure head" Mrs. Rafter declared.
the cyclopedia pointed out that
Congress was really the Board OF
Education and that the Board of
Education for tn District was a mis-
nomer. They have no power ard
should really be known as a board
OF school visitors"
Much Red Tape.
The confusion existing is hardly
credible. as the authority and re-
sponsibility are so tied up with
red tape The bureau methods used
are entirely inadequate to the
task" Mrs. Rafter quoted
Educational conditions in the
city OF Washington from an ad-
ninistrative standpoint are the
worst to be found in any Of the cities
of its sine in the United States
Mrs. Rafter read. explaining that
this statement had been made fol-
lowing a survey Of the public
. schools by DR.. Monroe
Mrs. Rafter explained the differ
ence between the municipal ana
school Fairgrounds. pointing out
the discrimination that had been
made against school recreation.
1T is hardly conceivable" she de-
clared. that the Board OF Educs-
tion allowed the matter OF play
grounds to be practically ignored
when asking Congress for an ap-
preparation. On the other hand the
municipal Fairgrounds were -ade-
quately provided for. only $500
was requested by the hoard for
school Fairgrounds. she said.
Lack of CokesIo,.
The Board Of Education does not
function. There is no cohesion and
no center OF responsibility. Tn.
superintendent is without the
necessary authority TO act and the
board does not seem to have any
direction"
Other members Of the association
recited instances where il had been
desirable to call certain conditions
to the attention CT the board The
complaints had been passed from
one office to another until they han
returned TO their sources. but In the
passing nothing had been done to
overcome the existing evil and no
one was willing to accept the re-
sponsihility for their existence ns.r
act on their own initiative 10 rem
edy the conditions. they insisted.
Mrs. Raftcr then read a para
graph from tho book Of Paul Mon
roc showing that during the pc-io,'
from 1872 to 1896 Congress had au-
thorized a lottery to defray the eN-
penses OF building old Central High
School. Congress. II was explained.
objected to appropriat pubic
nr-ney for secondary education.
Mrs George r. Erase. OF the
Parent-Teacbers' Association. eN-
plained the work being done by the
organization. over 1000 garments
have been given away TO school
children who would not have other
wise been able to receive an educa-
tion. she stated.
Tells of Instances.
Mrs. Fraser told of a boy in one
OF the lower grades whose case
had recently been pointed out TO
the association. The teacher had
attempted TO impress the children
in her room with the necessity Of
keeping clean and neat. She
finished by asking the children To
try and appear with clean clothes
each morning. The next day in
passing one of the little boys sh.
allowed her hand TO rest on his
shoulder and found his shirt to he
wet Upon being questioned he
explained to the teacher that he
only had one waist and had for-
gotten to wash il the night before
So had done so that morning and
IL had not dried yet
Other cases included a small girl
who was going to school in the
snow with no soles to her shoes.
Mrs. Fraser made an appeal for
cast-off clothing and offered 10
collect any wearing apparel that
was not of further use. The as
ISOLATION, she explained. makes
over the garments and places them
in the homes where they are most
needed. This method OF supply
ing the needy had TO be accom-
plished with the utmost diplomacy
because of the reluctance OF many
families in poor circumstances to
accept charity.
Mrs Fraser announced that the
association would accept clothing
from any one in the city who
would be so kind as to offer il and
reminded the guests that charity
should begin at home. An su.o-
mobile will ~sll for anr f-urincnts
that can be spared and - calling
Mrs. George i. Fraser. 1000 "
street southwest. Main s5ll o-
Mrs. z. J. Brennan. Main $40. a
car will be sent at once 10 collect
the clothes