Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-10-17
LATE SCHOOL HOUR
CONTINUES IN LEAD
Parents Give $50 Opening
Big Vcte-Boy Patrols
Win Much Praise.

dren continue to vote heavily in favor
81 changing the opening hour 1T school
from . o'clock TO. 40 as means OF
reducing traffic dangers TO children on
route to classes. according 10 tahula
ton made last night of additional bal
lots received in The Evening Star poll
Advocates Of the later opening hour
point on; In notes attached to their
ballots that by DELAYING for halt
hour the opening of school the young
sters would miss the peak IF the morn
ing rush of traffic which dimlnishes
perceptihly after o'clock.
Others, however. have added their
voice to the agitation for an earlier
opening hour. number suggesting
$50. They argue that II school open
ing is delayed it will force later
closing of school in the aftern' on. re-
ducing available hours for out door
recreation.
Raise School Patrols.
While a large mai ority Of the bal
lots have been cast in favor Of the
$50 hour. letters Of argument re
ceived by The star have indicated
that there is a considerable Sentime nj
against lI1NOklnS l1lS sNStHlu wv ~
public schools end that II might be
better if the plan he Inaugural, ed~nl,'
at those schools where il Ia needed.
and where 1t would provide the best
safeguards against repetition ~
the tragic death recently ri small
pupil at the Gage School.
Parents pointed out in their letters
that because particular schools are
in outlying sections there is no traf.
fic rush At or shortly before o'clock.
At several other schools, also. 1t is
argued, delaying ~ the opening OF
school would not help matters much.
because some schools are on traffic
arteries where dangerous traffic
always is to be found.
Many correspondents placed great
faith in the organization Of sChoolboy
patrols to prevent the younger chill
dren from dashing thoughtlessly into
streets.
The results Of the poll are To he re
ported TO Supt Frank W. Ballnu Of
the District schools in time for the
meeting of the Board Of Education
Wednesday. At that time the board
may consider the suggested changing
Of the school hours.
Cites $40 Advantages.
vening school at $50 instead of q or
$50 are received from W. i. Barnes.
2s DenWood avenue. Takoma Park.
Nd. He writes: An $50 hour would
permit parents who are in Govern
n1ent service to see their children to
school in safety and then proceed TO
their own activities 1t would permit
advancing the noon hour to 1870 TO
1890. thus enabling mothers to com
plete the luncheon early and gain the
advantage Of the extra half hour in
the afternoon when II Is most appre-
ciated
The child would have the benefit of
more daylight and sunshine for play.
And. also, the earlier opening would
clear the streets Of school children
and permit motorists to drive to work
without fearing to harm school
children. on the other hand, II
school opening is delayed until $50,
in the CO Sc Of the child who lives at
some distance from school he would
be on the streets during the last Of
the rush hour and At the mercy of
that class Of driver who sleeps until
the last minute and then bends tho
speed limits to get to work on time. "
A. r. Jennings Of 1899 Chesa peake
street. urging that the O'Clock hour
be maintained for suburban schools,
suggests that traffic might he re-
routed through downtown congested
areas 80 as not to come into con
tact with children going tn classes.
Locations where signs are still need
ed to remind motorists they are
approaching a school zone will he
ascertained from the principals by
Superintendent of Schools Rallou as
part Of the movement now going on 10
reduce accidents among children. the
superintendent announced yesterday.
Will Provide Signs.
Trafic Director Fldridge already
hAs stated he will provide for the
erection Of the additional signs when
the locations are reported by the
schools The police department. has
been erecting school SLOW signs for
q number Of wears and mos of the
huildinRs have them. II developed
during the present safety campaign.
however. that there are number OF
buildings scattered throughout the
CITY without traffic warning markers
Col. l. G. Moller. assistant tratf1r
directs, has written to an electro
signal concern for Information about
A signal light which may he trled al
some busy school intersection here.
The TYNE Of light under consideration
for the experiment could he operated
hv hand switch at the curh ana
would he used oEly during the hours
school is taking IN and letting OUT
Evidence Of the earnestness with
which the older boys have entered
upon their duties as members "i 'ne
school boy patrol system came TO ilght
within the past few days.
Rows Watch Children.
CT. Clark If the A. A. A., wh" is
co.operating In organizing the patrols
sstd tina. At one Of the scho"ls 'nf
nAtrol hovs, wearing their white nehs
snd badges. not only escort the <malIt
childran safely across the street. nut
watch over the other youngsters ~
r,av ~ zee that they DO not get hurt
Mr. clark learned ~ another Incl
hent in which A patrol boy saw man
With a child about 10 cross street
I, the middle ~ the block. He sug
ossted that they should cross Al inc
intArsection. and Mr.. Clark said. they
complied with the suggestion.
Or Ballou also has observed IN
watching the patrol boys that Keen
rivalry has resulted from the Offering
~ nrizes 10 the patrols with the hest
racords AT the close Of the scho"i year
The school superintendent is con
Adsnt that interest in the patrol sNS-
.Hro will not wane as time goes on.
Ha ssid the teachers and principals
have taken a live interest in the
movement, and that, he says, VIII as
sure success.