Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-27


ton schools"
Says Personal Aims Were Gratified.
Photograph records Of "such stand
ard classics" as I'VE Won't Go Home
Until Morning. Mr.. Simmons said, were
purchased for the schools, while four
costly pianos were bought for one
building on the highest bid, the lower
bids being rejected and "the public
money souandered to meet the whim
of a music teacher, and possibly, like
wise, meet the wishes OF piano sales
man"
Grand pianos and a pipe organ cost
ing S13.500 were purchased and INSTALL
ed in the Mckinley High School, Mr..
Simmons said, while the students wait
ed over a year for the equipment OF a
lunch room. Yet, he said, ofi1clals
claimed that the best interest of the
student body received first considera-
ton.
In other instances, Simmons de-
clared, specifications were drawn so
that only the desired article wanted
could meet the specifications and all
other bids were rejected even though
the differences were not material IN the
various makes.
Gas ranges were purchased with the
specifications so restricted that they
the higher bid for ranges with gray
enamel legs was accepted.
washing machines were purchased
for the various schools, each school ask
ing for and getting what 1t desired.
Machines selected at high bid Tor one
school we're rejected as very objection
able for another school and then In
turn specified and purchased LOT otner
schools"
Among the articles purchased for the
gymnasium at the Mckinley High
School, Mr.. Simmons cited nine Climb
ing ropes at S12 each, three horses at
$50 each and one push ball at 1919.
sand so the story Of extravaganza
might go on without limit" he de-
clared.
Charges Criticism Went Unheeded.
Apparently, the school authorities,
Mr.. Simmons said, learned nothing as
a result of the hearings before his sub
committee or have determined not TO
recognize criticisms, for since the hear
ings they sent forward acquisitions for
such items as ironing boards at $40
each. rejecting the general supply com
niittee boards at SO cents each. An
other requisition was for an elecVrlc
hat stretcher to cost SIS.
"As a result of all this showing for
which the school officials and school
board are responsible" - he said, the
committee feels that someone other
than those heretofore IN charge have
the right to veto the purchase OF
furniture and equipment. and accord
ingly. the bill carries provlso placing
the power in the hands of the District
Commissioners"
TWO years ago, Chairman Simmons
pointed out his committee indicated 70
school officials and the school board
that school purchases and business mat
tiers be placed in the hands OF com
petent business executive. q.
The school board. he continued, came
before Congress this year with that
position filled, but with the aliegediy
ineficient business situation uncnangeo
s'These hearings were held during
the week of February 10; the school
officials expressed at that time their
failure to understand the intention OF
Congress as to the business manager
and indicated their intention OF modl-
flying the authority of the business man
ager to comply with the wishes of Con-
eress But they did nothing.
This bill was reported to the House
on March IL, carrying the provision
requiring the approval of the Commits
sioners to purchase requisitlons OF EQUIP
ment and furniture for the schools: On
March 10, two days after this bill was
reported. the Board of Education, ac-
cording to The Washington Star. met
and put Mr.. Crane. the business man.
ager, in full, complete and personal
charge of supply purchases Tor the
public schools
''The statement then says that Or.
Ballou insisted during the hearings tna5
Mr. Crane had been in charge since ms
employment, but Mr.. Crane testified
that he did not know what was being
purchased, except IN general way, and
never signed the acquisitions MT.
Kramer, assistant superintendent o.
schools, is then quoted as asserting that
the action of the board of March ~
merely makes a formal statement OF
what had been the understanding IN
school administration circles. A pat
entity false statement, as the hearings
disclosed. The school officials, II tney
had that understanding, very erect
ually denied It before the committee.
1t is clear that the action taken by the
Board of Education on March 10 was
not taken In accord with policy they
had expected to effect gradually. Inc
obvious attempt to mislead the people
of Washington lis resented by those who
know the facts"
Holds U. S. Fair to District.
Discussing the fiscal relations policy,
Mr.. Simmons declared that the Federal
Government is decidedly fair and gener-
Gus in its treatment of the District. He
said it was unfair to compare the FED.
eral Governments annual $9,OOO,OO0
lump-sum contribution to the total
amount carried in the appropriation bill
for the purpose of arriving at per-
centage basis of the ratio or the ex-
penses born by the Federal and DlstrlcG
governments.
The gasoline tax and the water rev.
enues, totaling S5,586,317, Chairman
Simmons insisted, should not be consid-
cred in any comparative statement OF
fiscal relations.
The SO ,O00. 900 contribution. he said.
should be compared with $30,748, 600,
which constitutes the revenues from
real estate and personal property taxes,
the taxes on banks and so forth, and
the miscellaneous revenues. On mat
basis, he said, the contribution OF the
United States amounts to % per cent
of the total Under the language OF
the bill, however, he explained, the
United States releases to the Dlstrlct
certain miscellaneous revenues which
it is estimated win amount TO $685.
GOO during the 1881 fscal year, lang ana
considering this amount and the amount
released by the Federal contribution,
the percentage is slightly less than 20
per cent of the total
Mr. Simmons also declared that there
quite properly can be added TO the total
contributed by the United States the
cost of the salaries of various Army
officers assigned TO duty with the Dis
trict totaling Sl23,621, the services OF
various other officials and departments
for which no charge is made, the use OF
Government buildings and property Tor
which no rcnt is charged at fair rem
tai basis OF $4,000, and the surplus
property transferred to the District
without charge at value Of $279, O93.2t
!. ..S.- c.