Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-17
BALLOU EXPLAINS
PORTABLE SCHOOLS
Report Of Funds Hearing,
Made Public, Tells Status
of District System.

which have resulted In much criticism.
has been placed before the subcom-
mittec Of the House appropriations COM
mittee by school officials. headed by DR..
Frank w. Ballou, superintendent Of
schools. The subcommittee is consid-
ering the District appropriation bill for
The fiscal year 1929.
Among the items discussed in A re-
port Of the hearings made public today
were the number OF portable school
buildings and part-time classes now be-
ing operated. The present status OF
the five-ycar building program also was
treated. DR.. Ballou had testified that
there were now 1870 classes on part-time.
and he expressed the opinion that port
ables would be used until the part-time
makeshift We know" and said 1t seemed
class system can be relieved. He char
acterized the building as 1.-The best
to him almost inevitable that We have
some Of them until We can adjust the
situation" He said they would con-
tinue 10 be used even though the items
requested in the appropriation bill were
allowed.
Funds Not Appropriated.
In answer to Representative Casey.
Democrat. PENNSYLVANIA. who wanted 10
know how much additional money 1t
would take to discard all the portables.
Dr. Ballou declared that if the five-year
building program had been carried out
and appropriated for year by year
every portable would have been elimi-
mated BY June 30. 1890 or the next year
In plain English" Mr. Casey asked.
Congress is responsible for this condi-
tion?"
Il am not ready to say that" DR. Bal
lou replied; Il am prepared to say that
there has not been appropriated $4,000
900 for buildings and grounds In any
one year except the frst year. consisting
OF the regular bill and deficiency The
standard sets in the first year has not
been attained in any year since that
time This bill comes the nearest to
1t of any bill presented"
The superintendent said the request
cd appropriation was insufficient to
complete the program by June 30. 1890
Representative Simmons. Republican.
Nebraska. criticized the length of time
that elapses in the District between the
date on which the building funds be-
come available and that on which the
completed building actually is ready for
occupancy. II was shown In the hear
ing that 49,. months is the average
time elapsine between the two dates
and Maj. L. E Atkins. assistant 10 the
Engineer Commissioner. declared ne be-
'ieved this fair time.
a. L. Harris. municipal architect. was
asked about the division of the Is
months and he said that II REQUIRES
about four months 20 draw the plans.
one month 10 advertise for bids and an
additional two or three weeks before tho
contract actually is signed. or SIX
months after the building Is authorized.
These figures were for an eight-room
building. junior high schools requiring
cnnre time. or six months FOR the draw
ng OF the plans.
No Blame for Congress.
Mr.. We,eh asked Mr. Harris whether
n his opinion there had been any I'M
reasonable delay In carrying out a prof.
ect under the fiye-year building pro-
gram.
Il should say no" Mr. Harris re-
Piled
Either on the part OF Congress or
N the part of the Commissioners. or
else? Do not spare anybody:
II there Is any criticism-and We are
not sens.,ive--if We have been wrong
Se want 10 correct IT," Mr. WEIGH urged
MIR Harris replied:
! am o! the opinion that Congress
IS not 10 blame for any delay il the
five years building program. As the
Shools must necessarily suffer with
other projects and as the total Ia fin
ed only certain amount of school
is possible within the total al
lowed As the total budget Il fixed by
taxes received. see no way OF increas-
ing the amount Of Sc llool building with
out an increase in the tax rate In The
District Of Columbia
Mr.. Simmons wanted 10 know what
of the municipal architects
work was for school projects and Mr..
Harris answered IS per cent. Only
emergency buildings such as the addi-
ton 10 the Galliresr Hospital. which
was critically needed. are giren priority
over the school construction. he added,
Among the specific reasons for in
crease In the school budget DR. Ballou
named the Redistribution legislation
law, which went into effect March T.
1923. providing for an increase Ill salary
Tor the schools cleyica! Slai OF ITO
per cent over their basic salaries and
20 per cent increase In salary over the
tota! compensation they received at tina,
time. Janitors' salaries were increased
l3.s per cent over their basic salaries
As OF that date and the total compen-
sation was increased as per cent b.
mat legislation. In round numbers
This legislation increased the schCol
budget OF the District by about SITS 900.
ne superintendent, told the suocomn,i;- !
tee
use Non Residents.
DIR, Ballou named also the teachers !
salary act OF July l. 1924, which pro.
'id'd increased compensation tor ell
employees OF the District. /.
ana the nve-year building act. which /
was estimated To cost $50 iSs. 900
DR.. Ballou told Mr.. Welch there was !
no way of protecting the District !
asainst the influx of children from out /,
side. He told the committeeman tina, |
here were between $500 and 900 nom /
resident pupils in the local schools to- !
day
About so or 80 Of them pav tuition /
and The rest come III tree" nr RAJ. |
ou said With The law an the statute |
books which gives them FIRE tuition. We /
40 not feel We have any legal right 10 |
keep them out or any moral right 10 /
co So"
Asked II the resident pupils dis /
,'aeed District chilC,en or REQUIRE !
hem To So on part time. DR.. Balboa |
Sa!d that IN some instances they do. |
,ut ne, generally.
We have added portaeles and pu, !
'hlidren on part-time where those chi.
iren are Ia BE- found tn such schools
Is the f. Y, Brown. in Chevy Chase, or
he Takoma School In Takoma Park"
lc added
Limit Classes TO A.
pr. hallou explained that the school
NStcm had u rule specifying that when
class reaches A. nv more MARYLAND
hildsen are admitted IN tAas bul,dius
'ut are transferred 10 soMe Other
chool, When class reaches a. he
Nplained MARYLAND children are elm.