Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-14

variation or slight increase in this cal
culation would be Offset n an average
account by a reduction In tbs repairs
TO the heating system which, in the
Blair School, was slightly above average.
Repairs Record Unavailable.
A complete record Of the repairs to
portable buildings IS not avalable but
estimates Of the expense involved II
moving the portable structures from
one site to another we're used il the
liquidation. These expenses include re-
placement Of tinnbers, glass and roof
ing when the transfers are made. Ac-
cordinS to the repair shop figures, the
average cost Of moving single portable
during the IL yers was $3.50. When
the structures we're new one could be
moved a short distance for as little as
$500 while today, with Increasingly
more requirements and repairs incident
TO the transfer the cost ranges between
Repair shol records indicate that
each Of the portables has been moved
at least six times. Hence, on the basis
of six transfers for eight buildings, the
tabulation includes an item Of see, 400.
Without even attempting to include In
cidentaI repairs Of damage from storms
or wear and tear during q portable's
location at given site, tee upkeep ex-
penses estimated at S26,4ooo outdis.
lance the repair to the permanent unit
SIS. 50o-by nearly $4,000.
Toilet facilities for portable buildings
are independent units, unheated and
erected outside the classroom buildings
not unlike the similar facilities IN rural
regions. These units include also an
adjacent out-of-door bubble fountain
and an oId-fashioned hydrant. These
plants cost on an average OF 81, 500
when installed and, adding $500 for
repairs during the 12-year pertod-an
allowance which Maj. Wilnarth de.
clares Is conservative" - the total
average cost Is brought to $4,000. Each
of these plumbing units accommodates
four classroonas so that the facilities
provided 800 pupils would represent an
investment Of $4,000.
Hence classroom accommodations Tor
$40 pupils In portables total $e6,120,
while classroom accommodations, as well
as playroorns in the permanent struc-
lures for the same number Of pupils,
total $l47,9oo.
Comparison Of Costs.
# the difference In facilities between
the two types Of schoolhouses is to be
given money value 1t can be done
on the basis Of comparable costs. A
playroona In a brick building IS the
same size as classroom with the cloak"
room partition removed, 50 that two
more portabSss would be added to the
theoretical frame group II playroonns
were to be provided. These structures,
without the interior furniture which
obviously would be unnecessary II tbs
room were used for play purposes,
would add an additional $1,000 outlay.
Heating these extra rooms would 4do
another $3.50 for the 12-year period,
and another item Of $4,000 for moving
and requirements Of worn tinbers.,
These additional facilities, which
would bring the portable school layout
to point where 1t could be compared
with even an approach to fairness to the
regulation school, adds SIs,6eo to the
actual classroom expenses, making port.
able building accommodation Tor $40
pupils sos, 800.
This sum is only s42,loo less than the
comparable costs IN permanent con-
struction.
Must Be Listed IS Loss.
Against the s42,1oo difference must
be considered the fact that the per-
menent bu1lo1ng sun IS performing PSt-
feet service, sound and SAFE, ana us
interior still warm in Winter and, by
reason of its masonry walls, as cool as
any unrefrigerated building could be IN
warm weather. The best portables, on
the other hand, cannot last much longer
in view Of the condition they were found
to be In last week, and they soon must
be condemned ana the investment they
represent listed as loss.
In fairness, 1t must be made clear
that portable schools are not so grouped
as to provide playrooni accommodation
for their pupils. Neither In most cases
are toilet rooms erected, for most OF the
portahles are set up on the playgrounds
Of permanent buildings and the factt.
ties Of which are used By the pupils OF
both types Of buildings. But this only
adds further testimony against portables
for the children Quartered Ia them, II
they are isolated 50 far e. other schools
are concerned, are without play quar-.
tiers in wet or cold weather. The classes
0f the oortAhles an peSuaanert. school