Evening star., 1938-06-22
SCHOOL s CEILING
FALLS, HURTING 13
Probe Under Way-Throngs
Leaving Cardozo High
Graduation at Time.

Immediate inquiry into the collapse
Of q large section of the hallway CELL
ing OF Cardoza High School, which in
jured 13 persons leaving after the
schools commencement exercises last
night was being launched today by Dr.
Frank w. Ballou, superintendent of
schools, and DR.. Garnet c. Wilkinson,
first assistant superintendent in charge
Of colored schools.
Fearing the entire ceiling might
collapse, many of the $50 men, women
and students began rushing for the
exits as the plaster gave way Only
coolness on the part of the men avert
ed more serious injuries. according to
DR.. Wilkinson, who stood some feet
from where the plaster and a chan
delier fell.
Fortunately a large group of the
men kept their heads and began help
ing the injured right away" DR.. Will
kinson explained. AT the same time
others shouted warnings to the mill
ing crowd and kept it as orderly as
possible"
Ambulances from several hospitals
were rushed to the scene, and began
hurrying the injured to hospitals.
Others were taken to the institutions
IN private automobiles.
Two Seriously Hurt.
Only two of the II persons removed
to Freedmans Hospital were seriously
injured, according to DR.. Lenworth
Jacobs of the hospital staff. They
were Mrs. Edith Roberts, "a, of 1744
Seventh street NV. and Theodore
Payton, 40, of 486 street SW. Mrs.
Roberts received a possible broken
spine and shoulder injury She re-
manned at the hospital pending the
taking of X-rayS.
Mr.. Payton, the doctor said, received
multiple cuts on the head
Among those treated for cuts and
bruises and sent home we're: Bernice
Roberts, IS, of 1744 Seventh street
NV; Verna Stewart, Is, of 352
street S.W.; Ruth Flagle, 9, of 1015
Maryland avenue NE. Sara Banks,
IL, of IL Florida avenue NE. and
Beulah Person, 10, of 1744 Seventh
street NV.
Others reported injured were: Mar
garet Gardener, 20, of 1881 Fifth street
NV; Warren Thompson, 81. and Eva
Thompson, "a. both of 8O4 Forty
fourth street NE: Mrs. Lottie Moore,
SIS, of 1915 Fifth street NV; Mrs.
Ada Marshall, 80. of 7O9 street NV,
and Aaron Brooks, 36, of 1882 Hunt
place NE
Dr. Wilkinson estimated about y
square feet Of ceiling plaster fell on
the departing throng. The commence
ment exercises had been completed
and the diplomas awarded.
About six weeks ago, several Cardozo
School children were injured when
plaster fell in the same corridor a few
feet away.
District repairmen were to be called
IN today to survey the ceilings condi-
ton and. if necessary, replaster the
whole building.
140 Get Diplomas.
Col West A. Hamilton, a member of
the BOARD OF EuuCatlOn, shortly before
the accident had awarded diplomas to
approximately 140 graduates, while
Mr.. Mattingly announced the award
of honors
Frederick Ellis was salutatorian
and Ella Theophia Hicks valedic-
torian. Music was provided by the
school orchestra
Nine members of the class were
announced as members of the Car
dozo Chapter of the National Honor
Society of Secondary Schools. They
are Ruth Frances Barnes, Ella Hicks,
Vivian Pleasant, James Collier Spear
man, Elmatee Talley, Roberta Taylor,
Frances Ingram E. Gaines, Credella
Gertrude Darricotte and Ishmel Craw-
ford.