Evening star., 1923-02-26

mands providing for progressive educa-
tional activities.
Even preceding the period Of the
war there seems to have been no
consistent policy of financial support
of public education in Washington.
In spite of the conclusions reached
by several school inquiries and the
annual presentation to Congress by
the board of education of the need
Of more money for schools, financial
support for the school system has not
been sufficient to meet the needs OF
public education. AS a result of this
financial policy there Is at present
an accumulation of needs of long
standing preceding the war, and in
addition accumulated needs as a re-
suit of the difficulties Of adequately
financing public education during the
war.
Improvement Is Urged.
The absence of sympathetical
constructive financial policy regard
ing the schools preceding the war
and during the war period has pro-
duced conditions which should be
improved at the earliest possible
moment. The housing situation in
the school system Of the District OF
Columbia Is most unsatisfactory
Overcrowded and unsatisfactory build
lngs are numerous. At the time OF
the passage Of the law Of 1906 Con-
gress created commission to in
vestigate the housing conditions or
Ihe school system Of the District of
columbia. This commission reported
In 1903, making very specific and con-
struct1ye recommendations The eyi-
oence presented to this COMMITTEES
shows that there are two school
buildings now in use which were
recommended for Immediate abanIope
ment in 1908.
There are eight buildings recon-
mended in 1908 for early abandonment
that are still in use. and accommo.
aate more than 5000 pupils. Seventy
eight portable schoolhouses are &C.
commodating over 5000 additional M
plls. Moreover, there are eighteen or
twenty pieces of property rented for
scnool purposes. In addition, many
rooms In school buildings unsulted
Ior classroom purposes have been
pressed into service during this neriod
OF school congestion.
Glasses Are Increased.
inadequate accommodations for
pupils have resulted in the establish
ment OF many classes in the element
ary schools with over forty nuni,s
On November 1, 1920, there were ~
classes with over forty pupils Der
teacher. BY November IL, 1921. this
number had been increased by fiftv
or more classes. namely, to 4s4 In
November. 1920. there were abo,t
i;oo0 pupils who were receiving 1ess
tnan a full day of education. and tn
1877 and 1929 still larger nunhar nr
pupils were attending school nnIu Tn
part time oi only
Every high school is exceeding ,ts
capacity from two hundred to siY os
seven hundred pupils. necessitatinp q
aoupie shift or overlapping proersm
In all OF the high schools. Gill
problem Of vital Importance oo,
fronts the schools OF the District of On
iumoia. which must be solved bv 20
tlonal and forward looking financ;a1
policy. The amount of money apnrnnri
ated for the schools in fhe enn,1
appropriation bill Is not even sutS
enrolment Of the public schools 90
as result the accumulated needs ns
the school system over a long ner,od
OF years are being increased ratber
than satisfied. If the public scbooI
system Is to be adequately proviGed
for. a systematic policy and a buiId-
Ing program covering a period or a.
least ten years must be adopted. which
shaIl provide for the regular and
(COnfinued nm poUa < V.I,.-- =