Evening star., 1924-09-27
DISTRICTS SCHOOL PROBLEM
Inadequate Facilities for Education of Youth Re-
proach to the National Capital.
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

government of the District off Columbia
Is under the control Of Congress, which
is It's town council 80 to speak, the
people of the District have absolutely no
voice in that town council or in the ap
portionment of the expenditures of the
money which Is collected from them in
taxes.
the Police and Fire Departments. the
streets and every other municipal ac-
tivity what a majority in Congress say
shall be spent. If there be any merit In
the indictment of King George. set
forth in the Declaration of Independ-
ence, any grand jury made up OF loyal
citizens of the District of Columbia
would not require two minutes to bring
in true bill against great many
members OF Congress on a number OF
counts.
THE net result of this form ot
government is that the condition OF
the public schools and the educa-
tional facilities of Washington border
on a national disgrace. The situation
Is one which would not be tolerated
for a moment by the citizens Of any
city of similar size. Politicians would
respond quickly to the demands
which if not met would mean re-
luctant but speedy retirement to
private life. Not so with Congress.
Supplicants for the schools have
nothing with which to trade. They
cannot engage in the political huck-
stering, for they go before congress
sional committees empty-handed /:
beggars for some consideration of the
future of their children. They stink
away like some filthy leper in the
streets of far eastern village. draw
ing his rags around him as he
clutches the coin, flung him by a
shuddering tourist
X
The people of Washington must
squarely face certain stubborn facts
regarding the public school situation
and then must take such action as
they may deem appropriate under the
circumstances. They must realize:
/. That the number of classrooms
for elementary school pupils for the
last four years have not been sufflc-
lent to do more than take care of
the increased enrolment in the ele-
mentary schools during these years.
. That verN little. II any. progress
is being made on the accumulated
shortage of elementary school accom-
moderations of the pre-war and war
period
g. That the additional accommoda-
tions at Western and Armstrong High
Schools and the new junior hlgh
schools will leave unprovided for
enough pupils to fill school build
ing larger than new Eastern High
school, which has facilities for 1900
T. That congestion can be relieved
in elementary and high schools by
increasing appropriations.
School authorities. with the Board
of Education, are now at work on
a five-year building program designed
to remedy the shortage in school
house accommodations. 1t Will pro-
vide the abolition Of
Part-time classes in the elementary
schools and double shifts in high
schools.
Oversize classes in the elementary
and high schools.
The use of portables and other un-
desirable rooms in elementary and
high schools.
All rented buildings
The use of buildings recommended
for abandonment.
The school officers and the board
will ask for the united support of
every resident of the District in
pushing this program through Con-
gress. Unless it is carried out, the
present congestion is inevitably bound
to continue and to increase.