Evening star., 1922-12-06
Dr.. Simon to Appoir,t
Committee for Pushing
Work at Capitol.
CUTS IN BUDGET
ARE DENOUNCED
School Officials and
Others Demand Items
Be Restored.

Washington, through it's numerous
civic organizations. will ring into the
ears OF every member Of Congress
an incessant and urgent appeal for
appropriations requisite to carry out
the comprehensive building program
designed by the officials to remedy
the so-called disgraceful conditions
In the school system.
The united action of the interested
civic bodies will be mapped out and
directed by a representative commit
tee OF five. which will be appointed
today by Or. -Ahram Simon, president
OF the board OF education. in con-
formtty with a resolution adopted by
delegates from more than 100 civic,
trade and other organizations who at
tended joint conference with the
school board members last night in
the Franklin School.
Instructions to- DR.. Simon to name
such q committee to represent the
entire city in the gigantic struggle
the nrst ever attampted-to Int tie
school system from it's present lam
entaole stage. came as sequel to a
two-hour discussion OF the shortcom-
inRs Of the District public schools N
general.
Budget Cut Denounced.
Particular emphasis was laid on
the deplorable conditions resulting
from the shortage Of adequate accom-
modations by citizens who vehement
~ announced that they have tolerated
them to point past virtue.
General resentment was manifest
ed over the drastic deletion OF the
school budget for the next fiscal year
which is now in Congress. Without
exception the citizens were unani-
nous in declaring for tho restoration
Of every item eliminated from the
original estimates. even at a sacrifice
needs OF the city.
Henry H. Classic. chairman OF the
school committee Of the Washington
Chamber OF Commerce. struck the
keynote Of the meeting when he pro-
claimed that the imperatively necea:
not be secured until the unanimous
voice OF the people OF the District
says effectively TO Congress-:
We want this program carried
out. even II II makes increased taxa
ton. We are willing to sacrifice other
this is done"
President Simon OF the school board
opened the conference with detailed
explanation Of the school legislation
now pending in Congress, which. he
sale. the oflcials desired enacted at
legislation. he pointed out. is the
school construction program. which IL
Of primary Importance: the Capper
teachers salary and school reorgani-
zation bill and the compulsory at
tendance and school census bill.
we. here In the District" said DR..
Simon. are in a rather strange posi-
ton. There is no subject in which
the people are more united and will
ins to tax themselves than public
only place where Congress- has prac-
,ical say as 10 the public schools
Congress has IL in its power to give
US the finest school system in the
world"
Analyzes Budget.
Dr.. Simon then presented concise
history Of the school budget for the next
fiscal year. citing the items approved and
deleted by the Commissioners and the
bureau Of the budget, emphasizing that
the school officials hold no anlmus
against these agencies for their forced
reduction in the estimates.
In its present state. DR.. Simon de-
clared. tho budget will not enable school
officials to discontinue the use Of por-
tables and rented quarters and eliminate
oversize and pa:t-tir:e classes in the
situations will still continue" he said.
land there will still be an absence Of
assembly halls in the elementary
schools
With the present progress in graded
school construction continued, the
school board head expressed the be-
lief that within two or three years
there will be fairly adequate ac-
commodations for the children in
these schools. But the high school
to be relieved" rs the requests for
sites for new junior high schools were
cut from the budget. making 1t Inn
possible to accommodate the increas-
ing demand. There Is an absolute
necessity" he declared. "for two or
three new Junior high schools"
DR.. Simon explained that the board
members and school officials were
elated over the passage by the Senate
yesterday Of the Ca7per teachers SAL
ary and school reorganization bill.
declaring that there could be no
finer celebration Of Education week
than the passage Of the bill by the
House" He said the teachers would
be benefited financially by this
measure and praised them az the
Finest body of teachern anywhere in
the land. Their loyalty, devotion and
enthusiasm" he asserted. "have made
the school system what il is.'
DR.. Frank w. Ballou. superin-
tendent OF schools, urged the citizens