The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-05-21
Sanitation and Heating
Proves Problem in Is
Structures.
ONLY 1 ADEQUATE
PLAYGROUND SEEN
Complicated Control of
ID. c. Educational Sys-
tenn Is Blamed.

Complicated control OF Washing
ton schools Is given as the cause of
conditions in eighteen public
schools Of Georgetown and vicinity
by school leaders A survey of
these schools. completed yesterday.
reveals that not one meets with
modern standards of school con-
struction.
School officials. il is pointed out.
have repeatedly provided remedies
for Geor9etown schools. Due to re-
vision of the school budget by Dis
trict Commissioners and Con-
gresSional committees. however.
the items have been stricken
out AS result of this
nultiple-control. George o W n
schools are said to be among the
worst suffering buildings in the
District.
The investigation was made with
respect to the physical condition of
the schools and did not include ed
ucational functions. Among hun
dreds of defects in the buildings.
the following stood out:
None Have Assembly Hall.
There is not an assembly hall in
any one of the eighteen elementary
schools in Georgetown.
Fillmore School is the only one
that has adequate playground space.
Many of the schools have alles'
space between brick walls of ad-
joining buildings as Fairgrounds.
Addison, Curtis and Hyde schools,
located in the block bounded by p
and o streets and Wisconsin avenue
and Thirty-third street, have n
joint playground approximately the
size of three tennis courts. More
than 1000 children must use this
play space.
None of the eighteen buildings are
fireproo. ....
One feature regarded by educators
as fundamental in school construc-
tion has been overlooked: the
school buildings generally are with
out any semblance of beauty. Most
resemble prisons.
Teachers Aid.
Two of the three coIored schools
are dilapidated. the third is COM
paratively new. but has no play
ground. Children use the streets.
A striking feature Of the Survey
was the interest shown by teach
ers and parents in patching up un-
slightly spots in an effort to make
the old building attractive. With
out exception. each room visited
testified to eHdeavsr- of the teacher
to bring into the drab buildings
an atmosphere of cheerfulness
r. W. Murch. supervising prin-
cipal OF schools in this vicinity.
spoke in praise of the school per-
sonnel for their efforts to offset
prevailing conditions. TT Is only
because other sections that are
growing faster are in worse con-
dition than We. that we have not
pressed our demands in George
town" he explained.
Buildings Old.
While Georgetown has not ex-
perieneed the rapid increase in
population that has created a
school emergency in many parts
of Washington, the buildings in
this section are old and are in bad
repair.
The most urgent need of George
town schools. as expressed both by
parents and teachers. is play
grounds. The school yard at Jack
son School is not a playground. It
Is a court, paved with brick and
surrounded with Brick walls. II a
tennis net were stretched across
the space II is doubtful whether
there would be room for benches
at each end.
While the Jackson building is an
old structure, the school premises
have been cared for. as evidenced
neatly painted fences and wood
work. Flowers. planted about the
building contrast the appearance
Of the school with others built next
to the sidewalk. leaving no space
for flower gardens.
CInder. for Playground.
One of the prison like structures
which Georgetown children are
forced to attend Is Corcoran School.
between M and N streets on
Twenty-eighth. Entrances are from
! two brick-paved alleys. In the
rear Of the building Is a small
playground 1t Is below the level
OF the street and has been covered
with cinders.
One mother, whose little boy at
tends this school. said of the cinder
dust. Every day it covers my child
so 7 can hardly tell what color
hs is"
Tenley School is regarded by
school ofiCials as being in the
worst condition of any building in
this division. Citizens regard II as
n blight on the community. The
present brilding Is worn out.
Floors are creaky. toilets and
kplumbing are unsanitary. while the
heating system Is said to be in its
last stages.
Use Old Church.
Due TO crowded conditions at
Tenley. one portable building and
an abandoned church are being
lsed. None of the buildings is fire.
proof. and all are regarded by
arents as firetraps.
The Reservoir School. at Potomac
Heights, 10 typical one-room
ountry school. There Is one teach
who has four grades The build
ng is frame. and is heated by a
|tove. There Is no running water
n the building, children being
compelled to use an outside toilet
Citizens of Potomac Heights, a
pidly growing section. explain
lat as a result of this excuse for
school" parents are sending their