Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-03
HOOVER TO BUILD
MOUNTAIN SCHOOL
Confers With "Pa" Bur ,aker
on Conditions Near Camp.
go.
To Raise $l,40O.

2sl AtAE. hC8ACCbcu CtulOIcu IN Cfle TobkOIl
df President Hooverfs Damp in the Blue
Ridge Mountains of virginia are to be
henefifed as O. result of the interest
President Hoover is taking In their well
fare since his attention was drawn to
their plight by o series of articles an
nearing iif The Star written by Thonds
n. Henry of The star stan.
: One thing definite the President has
In nind Ia to see to 1t that these back.
ward and, illiterate people are first given
the advantages Of an education. There
VIII be other forms Of assistance, but
he has not yet revealed their nature,
However. ether than to say that he
will see to IL personally that the funds
are Forthcoming for the building and
equipping Of q little schoolhouse for the
families In that sparsely settled section
in the immediate neishborhood Of his
mountain retreat. the President Ia UNI
willing to discuss his further plans.
CeMfers with Meuntaineer.
Mr.. Hoover's idea of providing a
sctoolhouse for that neighhorhood was
learned following long talk he had at
his camp yesterday with PA" Bur
raker, father Of Ray, self-posseSsed
ynungster. who was entertained in the
Presidents camp on the latter's birth
day several weeks ago snd who brought
70 the President an opossunh as q
birthday present.
The outcome Of this conference be =
tween the Chief Executive and this
nountainer, whose principal activities
are IN hunting, trapping and preaching
the Gospel to the mountain people, wa
that the President will lead a commit
tee to raise funds for a schoolhouse.
while "Pa'' Burraker will organize q
committee of mountain neighbors to
work out certain details.
The latter's job will mainly consist
of arousing interest In education and in
requesting of the Virginia authorities to
supply o. teacher. The mountain man
readily agreed to do what the President
suggested. He was represented as being
enthusiastic over the Presidents pro-
posaI and seemed grateful for his in
terest In the welfare of the people In
the mountains. He also seemed proud
Of having been sent for by the Chief
Executive. But, despite his limitations,
he did not give the impression Of being
i'll at ease or confused as he sat be-
fore the President and talked.
Young Ray. who accompanied his
father to the Presidents camp, did not
lineer long during this serious confab.
He wandered or to another part Of the
camp and apparently enjoyed himself
the camp party.
plight Of Five Fanilies.
The President was informed by Pa"
Burraker that there are five families
living in the mountains in that immedi-
ate section and that these families have
total OF q score Of children, none OF
whom has ever learned to read or write.
The Presidents conference with Bur-
lrar nh he dAtat1G for start l.
ing the school movement had been
agreed upon The Presidents estima-
ton Is that the cost of this little school
project will not be more than l,4OO.
It was said that he will raise this sum
through q national committee. but the
opinion Of his intimates Is that he VIII
probably produce most Of that amount
from his own pocket. But the President
and Mrs. Hoover, too, are ANXIOUS 20 90
more for these mountain children than
merely to educate them. just what they
have In mind In this respect VIII NOT
be learned until later. The interest the
President Is taking In the unfortunate
lot of these mountain children Is point
ed to today as only another evidence Of
his love for children and his genuine
desire to improve the welfare, Of chill
dren generally.
The President returned from his
week end outing benefited by the change.
but he devoted little time to play and
recreation during his stay this time. He
went for short strolls over the mountain
trails and, with the assistance Of other
male members Of his party, built an
other dam for q FISH pool. but the
greater part Of his time was devoted to
business.
Farm Board Present.
He had with him Secretary Of Agri-
culture HYDE and four other members
of the Federal Farm Board and consio-
cradle of his business had to DO with
comforting with these members regard
ing the work the board has done In the
mater Of Organising and in extending
relief and regarding its plans for the
future. He received flrst-hand reports
of hearings the board has conducted IN
Chicago and Louisiana. Besides Secre-
tary Hyde the board members in the
party were Alexander Legge, chairman
C. C. league, C. P. Denman, Charles B.
Wilson and Carl williams. The last four
members were accompanied by their
wives.
The President intended to return to
Washington this morning in time TO
meet with the cabinet ut 10 o'clock, but
fearing that there might be some un-
expected DELAY. he suddenly decided to
return last night. He altered his return
route, however, coming through Fred
ericksburg, Va. Ordinarily he comes by
way of Culpeper and Warrenton. The
party had picnic supper In the WOODS
along the roa dSide about IL miles be-
yond Culpeper.
MRS. Hoover returned with him, but
Allan Hoover, their son. remained be-
hind as did Mrs. Jean Large, Mrs. Hoo
ver's sister. and their daughter and son