Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-19
BOARD REAFF|RMS
DECISION ON TONER
Racial Questions Argued at
Stormy Session on CoIored
Health School.

Following a stormy session attended
hv an unprecedented number of persons.
the Board Of Education yesterday after
room reaflirmed its decision of January
( IA establish the health school for COL
orcd pupils temporarily III the Toner
School. at TwcNty-fourth and F. streets.
When the board convened III the
hoard room Of the Franklin School 40
Nins:ration Building at $50 O'CLOCK
its members found awaiting them an
audience Of approximately $50 persons
Of both races. Representatives OF both
white and colored civic organizations.
co,orcd residents Of the Potomac PARK
section and a group Of wsxte real estate
men representing property interests IN
that locality had crowded toselhel III
tn ccnlDarativcly small room 10 pro-
tns; or advocate the temporary location
of the health school il the Toner Build
ing. -.
Before the Toner proposition was dis
r,,SSed however. some - appointed rep
rcscntatives Of five citizens associations
q. NorthcaS; Washington who were
n-nsert 10 oppose the suggested loca-
finr nf the coloycd health school III the
cid lake estate near Thirteenth street
snd Rhode Island avenue northeast
were told that by virtue OF the recon-
r,or6ation Of the District health Office,
fhat nrnrosjtioli was out Of the question.
Confronted By the unusually large
audience. the board members agreed to
hear the assembly on the health SCHOOL
matter before progressing with the reg
mar calendar Of business. Isaac Cans
presided in the absence OF Charles r.
Cavlsl
\ortheaSt GroEpS Protest.
william Y. Lewis explained that he
was one Of the representatives OF flVe
eitize,1s' associations of the Northeast.
Spokesman for each Of which desired 10
he heard IN protest against the schools
location on tho Lake estate. DR.. Frank
" Ra,lou. superintendent Of schools, at
nrce suggested that they need not be
heard since ho tic not intend 10 recon-
mend the Northeast site. He then eX-
blamed the Health Departments ruling
-rd all but a few of the Northeast
Washington residents departed with
brief burst Of applause.
West A Hamilton. colored. represent
!rc Walker Pest Of the American le-
cion presented an argument in favor
az the location OF the health school in
Toner. He denied that the Potomac
Park section was white community.
coIored or al most mixed section"
With the coiored residents OF the sec
tinn living for the most part in indi-
vidual houses which they have occupied
for wears. he said. he could not see the
Justice OF allowing the residents OF the
recently erected large apartment prof.
ects 10 drive Us out" He objected. he
said to having the colored health school
or any colored school termed nuts
snce" 70 the community. as some OF the
opponents OF the boards action had
done.
Henry L. Cillican. the only member
o. tine board who voted against the
transfer Of the Toner Building TO the
Use nj coiored pupils when the matter
was first brought before the board at its
las meeting. asked Hamilton II he OBJ
'ec',4d 10 the colored health school re-
naming IN the Harrison School at
Thirteenth and Y streets The speaker
declared he had none and Mr.. Gilli2an
then asked him IL he knew Of any other
colorec schools that are not now occu-
pied Hamilton replied that while he
cid not he considered such knowledge
the business Of the school officials.
Realty Man Objects.
Luther W Linkeens. a member OF the
az the real estate men present. argued
thai The Potomac Park section is not 8
community Of hon1e-oVners but rather
q section of renters and that therefore
fae opinions Of the realty men whose
investments and building operations.
running concurrent with the Govern
n1ert's development OF Potomac Park.
had increased property value. should be
considered. He dwelt at length on the
growing beauties Of the section and the
cnl0red advocates o. the health school
IN Potomac Park were angered at the
inference they drew that coIored pupils
would be detrimental 10 the further de-
yelopment Of the section
Men and women al once sought the
Toor 10 answer the uncompleted argu-
nle'lB o. Mr LinkIns and Mr. Cans in
'e:rupteo 70 suggest the subject be
tabled until spccia! meeting might be
called. At which time you all can dis
GUS this thing and decide what you
want"
" Il. Lewis, representative Of the COL
orec FEDERATION Of Civic Associations.
nc#eser, managed IN get the recogni-
ton o. the chair and with his remarks
racial differences came To the front as
the chief Issue. Mr.. Lewis made direct
feiere1ce 10 Mr. GiIl3gan when. after
ssTl;.2 the location Of tfle health school
|a& matter on which the school
board should act as a unit ne de-
cisFec With emphasis, and those mem
bers who can't act with the Others
f'sAJlo sever their relations with the
nf'sfc Some applause ard many