Evening star., 1935-05-30
BUILDING DELAYS
ANACOST|A JUNIOR
HIGHS SCHEDULE
Opening May Be Set Back
From September to
February.
85.DAY EXTENSION
IN TIME IS SOUGHT
Plans to Use Structure First
Semester May Be
Cancelled.

Delay in construction NJ the new
Anacnstia Junior High School. Six
teenth and r streets southeast. NAV
cause postponement of It's scheduled
September opening 10 next February.
This fact became known today when
il va2 learned that the contractor, the
Charles H. Tompkins Co. has asked
for an 65-day extension in the con-
tract time. which probably would throw
completion Of the 26-room structure
into November and so make imprac-
ticabIe its use for school purposes
until the second semester.
School officials have banked heavily
upon its opening next September IN
relieve the pressing need for more
facilities in the Southeast section and
particularly the congestion at Eastern
High School. cnncededly one ot the
most crowded schools in the city.
Fire Hazard Stressed.
Civic bodies in that part of the city
also have manifested unusual interest
in the new school. and its authorize
ton hv Congress followed an intensive
civic drive. They have stressed the
fire hazard inherent in EaSternS over
crowded corridors. Plans now before
Congress and reflected in the 1886 ap-
preparation bill call for further sU-
thorization of money TO permit con-
strlction of two wings to the unit now
being erected and extension Of the
course Of study 10 include senior high
sc hool instruction.
Informed of the progress ~ con-
struction. Asst. Supt Of Schools
Stephen E. Kramer said that delay in
the buildings opening past the first of
November probably will cause can
collation. of plans TO use II during the
coming semester. After new school
is turned over to tine school authori-
ties. much remains TO be done, he
pointed ont. Furniture and equip
ment Of all kinds must be installed.
arrangements made for transfer Of
children and teachers. new teachers
appointed and many other details at
tended to. he said.
September Opening Out.
Even il work m the building is
speeded SO as 10 permit its use before
February the scheduled opening Sep
temher 10. when some 500 pupils
would have occupied its class rooms,
proba bly, will have TO be postponed.
District officials and the contractor
have not been able AS vet N reach an
agreement on how lengthy an exter-
sion past the August is completion
cate will be needed.
necoifa tho ~ yonnncf fAv
an additional IS days. the District
Engineer Department has stated that
it is considering a 2l-working-dav eS-
tension. This would bring the COM
pletion date 70 September i6. A
conference will be held with contrsc-
tor representatives within the next
few days 10 thresh out the matter.
Even if the building is completed
September is, time must be allowed
for installing equipment, which. ac-
cording 10 Assistant Superintendent
of Schools Jere J. Crane. business
manager for the system, usually re-
quires at least week.
Creek Once Filled Site
Reason for delay in The ConstruC-
lion work lies principally IN the
msrshv nature Of the site. which has
caused considerable trouble in laying
the founds tions, forcing the vorkren
to GO deeper than had been snticl-
pated to find solid ground.
The old Good Hope Greek once
ran through the site. but was plped
and turned aside when II VAS de-
cided to build a school there The
site was filled, but the old creek bed
was swampy.
Another small DELAY was oCca-
stoned by unSuita Die, vet bricks from
the Occouuan WorkhCuSe The Dis
trict already has recognized this off,
cia!lv by extending the contract COM
pletion date from August TO Au-
gust Is.
Wet Weather DELAYED Start.
The shell of TIE building row is
up. but the Lengthy lob of finishing
the interior has not been begun
Date for beginning work VAS set
for September of last year, but
wet weather caused a delay 70 Sep
tember Is. The contract allowed 900
calendar days and the contract cost
was s3SS0lO.
The building has 26 rooms. OF which
Is are for classes. the rest special
rooms. Original plans called for 30
rooms and two gymnasiums. but four
rooms and the gyms were dropped.
In be ancluded n the two wings.
which also will permit conversion ~
the institution INTO e senior Junior
high school.