Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-01-15
SCHOOL OFFICIALS
FACE QUESTIONING
0NSTUDENT COSTS
Chairman Collins of D. c.
Subcommittee Presses for
efficient Economy"
HEARING ON REQUEST
FOR $13,328,076 BEGINS
Requirement Of Tuition by Non.
Resident Pupils Backed by Head
Of Subcommittee.
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

Seeking to effect "efIicient economy"
in the District school budget, Chair
man Collins Of the House subcom-
mittee drafting the District appropria-
ton bill, this afternoon was to ques-
ton Board Of Education officials. The
hearing was postponed from yesterday
because of an important meeting of
the full Appropriations Committee.
The school authorities are asking
substantial increase in funds despite
the fact the school population is de-
creased this year, Chairman Collins
emphasized. The current appropria-
ton was $l2,800.725, and for the
coming fiscal year ST.. 1928, 076 is asked.
This includes provision for 81 addi-
tional teachers. some 20 new janitors
and number of other school employees
in various capacities.
Non Residents Increase.
Mr.. Collins pointed out that the
school attendance, or pupil load" has
fallen OH something like $50, although
the number of out-of-town pupils has
increased. There now are about 5000
attending the District schools from
Maryland and some 500 from Virginia.
This out-of-toWn load has increased
about $50. Mr.. Collins, Chairman
Palmisano OF the District Committee
and other prominent members OF the
House feel the District schools should
be closed to pupils from Maryland and
Virginia unless they pay tuition. This
question was discussed with school
officials today.
The school budget contains esti-
mates Of the 81 ,583.l50 for new build
ings or continuation of work on build
ings now in progress. 1t provides for
continuing work on the Lenox School.
the senior high school at Fifth and
Sheridan streets NV. and the Ban
neker School. A new item is for an
elementary school building at Ham
ilton and Third streets NV. and an
eight-room extensible building at First
and Pierce streets NV. These pro-
jects also were to be discussed at the
hearing today.
Student Cost Weighed.
School officials also were questioned
regarding the possibility of lowering
the per capita cost of educatio in the
District by closer attention to strictly
educational activities. Mr.. Collins
said his studies have disclosed that
the per child cost of education in
Washington is higher than in any
other city in the country, except New
York. In the District it is sl25lO.
while in New York it is l34l3, he
pointed out. In Arkansas it is the
lowest-s24.55 per child. In Wyoming
and Nevada. where the per capita is
over 500, he explained, this high cost
is due to the scattered population. In
more densely populated States, the
cost runs sunder 500 per child.
He told the school officials that if all
the costs which should properly be
charged against education were con-
sidered here, the actual cost would
exceed that of any city in the country.
He declared strict study will be
made of the actual needs so there will
be no Scrimping. but that the costs
OF education in the National Capital
must be considerably reduced rather
than be given an annual increase.