Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-23
Says Manor Park Secured
Fund for Whittier School
To the Editor Of The star:

40 the Editor OF The Star:
Referring to the article of Mr. Degges
on the school building program in your
issue of January IA, I note certain in
TO the Manor Park Citizens Association
for the part it played in securing appro-
priations for the Whittier School.
Mr.. Degges states: BY way of con-
traSt and illustrative of the speed which
may be attained in schoolhouse con-
struction in the District when sites do
not have to be bought are the recorded
stories Of the Whittier and the Con-
gresS Heights Schools additions. These
structures, the first providing accom-
modations for 800 pupils and the latter
for $50 pupils, will be in use approx
mately 2 years after the Board of Edu-
cation first sought them"
AS a matter Of fact, the board had
no part whatsoever in securing appro-
priations for the Whittier addition or
the original eight-room school, as the
appropriations for the land and the two
eight-room structures were secured by
the aforesaid association as a result of
its recommendations to the Budget
Bureau and the House Committee on
Appropriations in the face of the oppo-
sition or lukewarm attitude of the
school authorities. On request of the
association the Budget Bureau included
bill passed in 1924 $4,000 for a half
square of land for the building. At the
request of the association Congress at
its session in 1925 provided $4,000 and
subsequently SGT 500 for the construc-
ton of the first unit OF eight rooms,
which was opened in September 1926,
after the board in November, 1924, had
declined to estimate for it and E. c.
Graham, who was chairman of the
ttaa -
announcement of the boards rejection
of the construction request. In July,
1880, Congress in the District bill pro-
Vided $l20 900 for the eight-room addi-
ton to the building on direct application
of the association 10 the House Appro-
priationS Committee. Not only did the
school authorities make no efforts to
secure any Of these funds but at various
times, and in some instances in public
addresses by the superintendent of
schools, opposed or refused to recon-
mend appropriations for this school
construction, as the records will show.
This school addition. authorized In July,
1880, will be available for use in Sep
TENDER, 1881 or 18 months after it was
requested of Congress by the association
IN February, 1880, and not as the result
Of any efforts of the School Board.
Later in the same article Mr.. Degges
Of 100000 for the construction of an
eight-room addition to the Whittier
School. This amount also became avail
able last July" This statement con-
firms our opinion that the action of the
House was independent Of any efforts
of the School Board.
1t is further stated by Mr.. Degges
that contracts for these schools. includ-
ing the Whittier, ave rot vet been
awarded. AS a matter of fact, contract
was awarded by the Commissioners
January 8, 1881, for the Whittier School
addition, which is to be completed by
July 49, 1881.
I call this matter to your attention
for the sake of accuracy and in order
that proper credit may be given the
association for the part it took in the
matter, which can be verified by Official
records. Yours very truly.
E. H. PULLMAN,
Chairman Law and Legislation Commit
tee, Manor Park Citizens Association.