Evening star., 1924-09-17
SCHOOL PLATOON
SYSTEM REJECTED
Education Board Substitutes
Portable Buildings in Two
Congested Sections.

The concerted campaign of the cit
liens of Chevy Chase and Takoma
Park for the introduction of the
platoon system of educatio at the
+. V. Brown and the TakOma Park
schools received temporary setback
last night when the Board of Educa-
ton, in special session, voted to meet
the prospective congeSted conditions
by placing portables at these two
schools. The board, however. de-
cided to continue its investigation of
the feasibility of platooning other
schools besides the Brown and the
Takoma Park, through special
committee of three.
Action of the board came as Sc
auel to three hour session at which
several hundred residents >of Chevy
Chase and Takoma Park argued pro
and con the proposal to platoon the
Brown and Takoma Park schools.
Tumultuous applause and standing
ballots that followed various conten-
tions showed plainly that partisan
lines were closely drawn.
PIatooninE Opposed by BniIou.
In 2O-page brief pr. Frank w.
Ballou. superintendent of schools.
vigorously opposed the platooning of
the schools, pointing out that from
an educa tional and financial stand
point it could not be carried out in
the Districts schools. a declaration
that the insistence upon such radi-
cal change in the program of education
at this time might jeopardize the pro-
posed five-year building program was
answered with protracted plaudits.
Henry c. Clark of Takoma Park,
supported by a large delegation of
residents of the community, led the
fight for introduction of the platoon
plan at the Takoma School. Stress
was placed on the fact that 40 chill
dren of Takoma Park will this year
he unable to get into the Takoma
Park School and that the platoon
system would not only afford ac-
commodationS for them. but any
additional increase in enrolment in
the next several years.
Discrimination Charge Denied.
Charges that school authorities
had planned to discriminate against
Maryland children at the Takom1
School met a fusillade of denials
from administrative and supervisory
officers of the school system. The
school officers contended that under
the law accommodations must be pro-
Nided in the District schools for any
Maryland children who desire TO
enter. and that they will religiouSly
obey it.
At the outset of the meeting Mr.
Clark submitted to the board a list
Of cities in "a States having one
or more schools on the platoon plan.
Despite the assertion of Stephen L.
Kramer. principal of Central High
School, at a previous session that New
York had completely abandoned the
platoon idea after costly expert
ment. Mr.. Clark said that he learned
Angelo Patri operates two of his
schools on the work-study play sys-
tenn.
Miss Farley LaudS Platoon Plan.
Miss Frances S. Farley, principal
of the Park View School, which
adopted the platoon plan four and
half years ago. strongly defended
the system. supported by a corps Of
her teachers. George H. Russell and
other residents of Park View also
voiced the opinion that the sentiment
OF the community was squarely be-
hind the platoon school.
Residents of Chevy Chase did not
participate as freely in the discus
sion as those from Takoma Park
They apparently came to learn the
advantages and disadvantages of the
platoon school When vote was
taken. a lone man stood in approval
and 20 in opposition. The Takoma
Iark delegation, composed largely of
residents on the Maryland side of the
line. voted by an overwhelming ma
tority for the platoon plan. Several
residents on the District side of the
line advised the board that before
taking definite action on the proposal
to platoon the Takoma school, the