Evening star., 1934-11-18
NEW SCHOOL HEAT
SYSTEM STUDIED
Hazen May Ask Congress
for 100000 to Replace
Hot-Air Plants.

Commissioner Melvin c. Hazen is
studying a suggestion that the Com
missioners ask Congress as soon as it
convenes for deficiency appropria-
tion OF 100000 for replacement of
all of the IS hot-air heating plants
still being used in school buildings.
This was revealed last night during
discussion of the declaration by more
than 100 mothers of children in the
Blair School that they will take their
children from their classes tomorrow
morning unless they receive a written
promise by that time of early replace
ment of the 50-year-old heating plant
IN the Blair building. They contend
the furnace sends SCOT and gas into
the class rooms, endangering the chill
dren's health.
Hazen made it plain that he has
committed neither himself nor the
Board Of Commissioners to request
the deficiency appropriation and the
matter merely is under consideration
Furnaces Lacking.
Both District and school officials
have stated that they would like to see
the Blair School furnace, and all other
school hot-air heating plants re-
placed. but cannot now see their way
clear to finance the work.
1t became apparent yesterday that
one of the reasons the Commissioners
hesitate to grant the demand Of the
Blair School mothers is that they fear
parents Of children in the IS other
schools with antiQuated heating
equipment will press them for similar
concessions.
A request for a deficiency appro-
priation would be decided on only after
careful weighing of needs of other
District departments, Hazen declared.
Outsiders Offer Aid.
Meanwhile Blair School mothers
were strengthened in their determina-
ton to strike by the promised support
of many outsiders who besieged the
home of Mrs. Edwin Green, president
Of Blair-Hayes Parent-Teacher Asso-
citation. with telephone calls through
out the day and evening.
Among these callers was Mrs. John
Boyle. jr., chairman of the District
Consumers Council, and member of
the School Lunch Committee, who
said she would be at the school Mon
day morning.
According to the mothers plan,
they will accompany their children
to school tomorrow, and If no word
has been received from the District
Building, take their children back
home.
And we'll keep them home until
We hear We are going 10 get nice
new heating plant" said Mrs. Green.
The demand of the women was
refused yesterday by Engineer Com
missioner Dan l. Sultan on the
grounds that a chemical analysis Of
the air failed to disclose noxious gases.
Later the Board of Commissioners
backed up his stand that the furnace
will not be replaced until next Sum-
mer unless an emergency develops.
The board decided the threatened
strike does not constitute an "emer-
gency."
Ballou Opposes Closing.
Col Sultan reported he had talked
to DR.. Frank W. Ballou, superin-
tendent of schools, and said DR.. Ballou
is opposed to closing the school for
repairs unless an emergency exists.
When the Commissioners were asked
If they would make a personal inspec-
ton of the building, Hazen said he
was willing to do it Monday. Col.
Sultan said he did not know whether
he wanted to do any smiling around" !"
He said he had had practically every
one from the District Repair Shop
already there and had reports from
all experts. Later he agreed to make
q personal inspection also.
The report on the school atmosphere
by Health Department inspectors
showed the presence of dust and SCOT
In the atmosphere Col Sultan said
he thought this condition could be
remedied by vacuum cleaning the air
ducts of the heating system.
I'VE will watch the heating plant like
hawks" said the Engineer official,
''and If conditions change, creating
an emergency, We will take drastic
and immediate action"
II don't care what they say Mrs.
Green declared. I'VE know the air
in the school Is bad for our children" :"