Evening star., 1929-12-19
BISHOP FREEMAN
SAYS SCHOOL LACK
D|SHONORS NATION
Charges Congress NegIects
Construction for Education
While Beautifying City.
SENATOR WHEELER FLAYS
ECONOMY IN BUILDING
Portable Schools Termed Deplor-
Observation-Disclosures Are
Called Able.

The National Capital was held up to
shame for it's lack of adequate school
facilities and its many unsafe, un-
slightly and unsanitary" portable struc-
lures by the Right Rev. James E. Free
man, Bishop of Washington, during a
citizens mass meeting in Chevy Chase
at which he expressed his profound
humiliation" that such conditions are
allowed to continue unrecognized by
those in power.
TT seems to me that this involves the
honor of the Capital and in some sense
th4 honor of the Nation" Bishop Free
man declared.
Bishop Freemans criticism of over
crowded conditions in the public schools
found an echo in remarks made by
Senator Burton K. Wheeler of Montana
and others who addressed the meeting
called by the new schools committee OF
the Citizens Association of Chevy
Chase. The Montana Senator sharply
charged failure to make adequate appro-
priations for new buildings. With the
existing surplus Congress can't plead 1t
hasn't got the money" Senator Wheeler
said. I'VE don't need an economy pro-
gram in the schools to protect the
Treasury
Bishop Aroused by Expose.
A representative body of citizens and
special guests, which included public
and school officials, attended the meet
ing, which was held in the E. V. Brown
School, at Connecticut avenue and Nc
Kinley street.
Among the other speakers were Dis
trict Commissioner Proctor l.. Dough-
erty, DR.. Frank w. Ballou, superintend-
ent of schools; Miss M. E. Given, prln-
cipal of the E. v. Brown School; Fred
S. Lincoln of the new schools commit
tee and j. Francis Moore, chairman OF
that committee. Representative M.
Clvde Kelly of Pennsylvania acted as
chairman after the meeting was opened
by Arthur Adelman, president OF the
citizens association.
A message from Senator Capper OF
Kansas was read in which the chair
man of the Senate District committee
said: II am Fundamentally for any
movement which will make the school
system of the District the finest in the
United States. I hope that the present
session of Congress will be marked by
generous and progressive legislation IN
favor of the school system OF the Ma
tion's Capital"
Portables Called Deplorable.
It was the expose of the congested
conditions in the E. V. Brown Scnool
by it's principal that aroused Blshop
Freeman: The situation is one OF the
most anomalous in my knowledge ne
explained at the outset in referring to
the contemplated Government bulldlng
nropram and the beautiful buildings
which he declared we're being erected at
st. Adams for the spiritual well being
of the city.
"Yet we are told that at this school
there is an enrolment of $50 pupils
while the normal capacity OF the build
ing is $40, leaving an excess attendance
of $780," he added.
"Of all the things to be deplored In
WASHINGTON and its environS in this age
of advanced buildings are the portable
school structures, some OF which dis
played in the public press are appar-
emily unsafe, unsightly and insanitary.
I represent that this situation is the
most anomalous that can be presented
in any city of the country, especially
this. where prosperity is sound"
Bishop Freeman asserted that when
citizens at a meeting speak seriously OF
a situation in the schools that is dis
grace" their voice should be needed by
those in charge of appropriations. He
emphasized, however, that he meant no
reflection upon those who administer
the school system, for whom, he said,
he had only praise.
School Administration Lauded.
When one considers that fifth Of
the population of the country is in the
process of being made citizens, Bishop
Freeman said, the Importance OF the
public school system is emphasized.
down
city." he said in comparing the little
red schoolhouses" OF his own day to
the modern city school. mo one dares
to find fault with the administration
by the school officials. for one have
the utmost confidence in them.
But l feel sense Of profound hu-
initiation that a situation has gone so
long unrecogrized by those in power"
The situation in Chevy Chase and in
other overcrowded schools OF the sec
tion. he declared. Is without parallel.
"There is an urgent need that it be
remedied without further delay" he
said.
Referring to the new Episcopal Home
for Children, Bishop Freeman said in
time it will provide for 100 children.
At present, he said he did not feel
that he should bring them into the
Chew Chase schools under existing
conditions.
las the head of that home" he
added, II would refuse to have them
put in portable schools such as l have
seen pictured in the public press.
Bishop Freeman made a plea for
the public to cease criticism of school
administration and join, instead, in
FIRMLY demanding that such situations
as described by Miss Given shall no
longer exist, either In the confines OF
the city or in it's environs."
Although New York City has oeen
assidious in developing its school pro-
gram, he said, the metropolis is always
a step behind the school needs.
I'VE can within reason demand aoe-
quate appropriations, so that every
child shall be properly housed" Bishop
Freeman added.
Schooling COuntry's Big Issue.
In conclusion he said: The matter
of the education of the children OF
America to my mind transcends IN I'M
portance every issue now under con-
sideration by Congress because 1t IN
wolves the citizenship Of the country
in its plastic state"
Senator Wheeler, who followed, Salo
he was in entire accord with Bishop
Freemans declaration that the schools
nj than leQ1Sl0-