Evening star., 1936-11-08

$780, 800; chlldren'S tuberculosis san
atorium, $203, $50; Home for the Aged
and Infirm, $139,l30.
DR.. Frank w. Ballou, superintend-
ent of schools, told the committee the
cost of education in Washington is
comparatively high" but contended
this was not because of inefficient
management, but because of the city's
requirement that a superior type OF
education be afforded children here.
Factors over which school authori-
ties have no control. he said. con-
tribute to the relatively high cost of
running the Capitals school system.
Among the more important Of these
factors. he said. are the dual system
necessitated by the operation Of sepa-
rate schools for white and colored
children, duplication Of administra-
tive work due to the dual set-up. con-
occasionally fixed salaries Of teachers
and other employees, and elasticity in
the rules for admission, adjustment
and promotion Of pupils.
The school authorities admit" DR..
Ballou testified, that the cost Of edu-
cation is comparatively higher here.
in some respects, than in some other
cities. but the school authorities
maintain that We are serving the
wishes of the parents and are pro-
viding a quality of instruction which
justifies the cost and which is in
keeping with the dignity of the Ma
tion's Capital"
Presentation Is Complimented.
DR.. Ballou's presentation of the
schools case" so impressed members
of the committee that he was the
recipient of compliments from them.
Dykstra interrupted at one point
to remark that the school superin-
tendent had made out a good case"
and to suggest that he make out a
similar case before the District Com
missioners"
Il do make this case out before the
Commissioners. and they are always
reasonable" DR.. Ballou responded. It
make out the case before the Budget
Bureau. and they usually cut the
estimates. make them out again be-
fore committees Of Congress, and they
are reduced some more. always feel
sort of Inundated to think that have
| failed to make out better case"
Il wish I could help you," Dykstra
said.
Il wish you could, too," Ballou
replied, smilingly.
You could help by giving us a
larger Federal appropriation so that
we would have more to spend on
schools" Donovan interposed. as
, committee members and spectators
| laughed.
DR.. Ballou pointed out that the
10000 District school children are
housed in 176 school buildings. Until
recent years, he said, the capacity of
senior high schools as we'll as elemen-
tary schools was smaller than in most
cities. High schools did not enroll
more than 1000 pupils, on an average,
whereas in most cities, the enrolment
ranges from 1000 to 5000.
The school superintendent, in re-
sponse to questions, said there are
more than so school buildings here a
half century or more old. There are
Is old buildings of the antiquated g.
room type, which are expensive to
operate. The new building program,
he explained, calls for 16-room build
ings. which are more economical.
Many class rooms house more than
the 40 pupils deemed the maximum
for good administration, the COM
mittee was told.
The school system needs S., 1000. 900
per year to bring it up to present
needs, he declared
Situation Termed Difficult"
The educational situation in the
District is difficult" he asserted,
with registration increasing all along
the line, The enrolment increases
apply to senior and junior high
schools as well as primary grades,
he said.
There are 5000 nonresident pupils,
he said, In response to another COM
mittee query. He estimated it cost
$25o,000 year to educate these pu-
pills from Maryland and Virginia.
| Salaries of school officers are "rela-
lively low" he said, and those of
teachers are mot relatively high
Salaries Of some of the clerical and
janitorial employees are higher than
in some Jurisdictions, but these
wages are fixed by law and the school
l
the designated amounts.
DR.. Ballou also called attention to
the shifting population in Washing
ton, bringing changes in the school
population. These temporary resi-
dents Of Washington expect a high