Evening star., 1934-04-11
FREE TEXTBOOKS
MAY Be Denied
Bill Against Supplying Non.
Resident Pupils Who Pay
No Tuition.

Nonresident pupils who pay no
tuition to attend the Districts public
schools would have to buy their own
textbooks and supplies under the 1885
appropriation bill reported to the
House today by It's committee on
District appropriations.
The bill, carrying a total Of So
1863, ,106-an increase Of $928,393 over
the current Observation-Disclosures a
proviso specifying that no part of the
s180,000 for textbooks and supplies
shall be available for the purchase
of such books for the free use of
nonresident pupils" Since less than
100 of the 5000 Maryland and Vir-
ginia children in District schools do
pay tuition, this means that more
than 2,900 boys and girls may have to
buy their own books and supplies be-
ginning next September.
Two Interpretations.
Two interpretations of the non
resident pupils textbook proviso were
made in school circles when the bill
was reported. One view-the prevail
ing one-is that free use" of the
books Is made only by the pupils who
do ..ot pay tuition and that those who
pay the regularly scheduled tuition
rates are paying for the use Of the
volumes. This view is held by the
school systems financial office on the
ground that the tuition rate each
year Is based on actual instruction
costs, including the costs of the text
books and supplies. The other view
use of the books without payment Of
specific charges for that purpose;
that even q tuition paying pupil has
free use" Of the texts and supplies.
The committees action on the
resident pupils use Of books
came as distinct surprise to school
authorities. They were unaware of
the committees consideration Of this
provision since they were not ques-
toned on this specific phase Of the
school budget during the hearing.
The nearest approach to this sub
ject was made at the opening Of the
hearings when Representative j. Will
liam Otter Of Pennsylvania, men,
ber of the subcommittee. asked DR..
Frank w. Ballou. superintendent of
schools. the cost of Washington
public education per pupil. DR..
Ballou submitted the entire schedule
of tuition rates, explaining that they
are established ION the basis Of cost
of instruction"
Mr.. Otter asked II these costs took
into account "the original invest
ment," and DR.. Ballou replied that
they did not.
1T only takes In teacher. super
visory and general personnel, and
administrative costs, does it not?"
Otter pressed.
THAT is it; maintenance and op-
eration," Ballou replied.
Tuition Rates.
The tuition rates submitted by DR.
Ballou for 1898 included: Teachers
colleges. $238.28 per student per year:
senior high schools. sl3527; junior
hign schools, $l0l64; elementary
schools, $6877; vocational schools,
$13l56: Summer schools, $4.23, and
night schools, $8.57.
Among the other interesting phases
of the proposed budget for the
schools in 1885, is the reduction by
the subcommittee of the fuel, gas
and electricity item to s225 900 from
the S250,00O sent forward by the
Bureau Of the Budget.
The bill includes also s168, 900 for
construction Of an addition to the
Hugh M. Browne Junior High School
for colored; 100000 for continuing
construction on the proposed Wood
row Wilson High School and $4,000
for a gymnasium at the Powell Jun
ior High School.
The reduction in the fuel gas and
electricity item is something of a
blow to school officials who, even now,
are awaiting action by the District
Commissioners to secure funds to
make up a $4,000 shortage in this
years fuel bills. The sum asked for
this item for 1885 was $3.50 900. an
increase of only $4,000 over the cur
rent appropriation, which already has
proved inadequate. The cut Of $25.-
900 made by the subcommittee in re-
verting the bill takes next years
fuel money to a point even below this
years sum.
Testimony Ignored.
The cut was made despite testi-
mony by school officers during the
hearings that more school class rooms
will have to be heated next year than
this year. Chairman Cannon ques-
toned DR.. Ballou and Jere j. Crane,
school business manager, regarding
the increased expenditures for coal,
despite lower costs per ton.
"Mr Crane" asked Chairman
Cannon, what is the occasion for
the deficit? Coal is cheaper and
current is cheaper"
1--WE are burning more COAL" Mr..
Crane replied.
Mr.. Cannon-The Winter has been
colder?
Mr.. Crane-This has been an un-
usually cold Winter; the last three
were quite mild.
Later in his testimony, Mr.. Crane
said:
Attention is invited to the fact
that each year for a number of
years additional buildings have been
opened without corresponding in
crease in the amount of money for
fuel. gas and electricity because of
mild Winters and increasing eff
cheney in the operation of heating
plants. Attention is further called
to the fact that $259,540 was actually
spent for fuel, gas and electricity in
the fiscal year 1888. and the posi-
bility of an increase In the cost Of
coal Is anticipated"
The subcommittee eliminated en-
tirely the school request for $4,000
to re-equip the Shaw Junior High
School at Seventh street and Rhode
Island avenue.
Economy Stressed.
sr1.. .,,Lsa,& 80 a,ov,< v,,y in the ad-