Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-10

into O storehouse Tor school sup
plies.
Fight Is Promised.
I'll fight you on that proposal"
Harry 8. Wender, president OF the
Southwest Citizens Association, told
Supt. Frank w. Ballou at q citizens
hearing on the school budget. II
was feared the storehouse would be
a hazard to the children playing on
the grounds.
But opposition to the storehouse
proposition dwindled after 1t be-
came apparent that school officials
wanted only the use Of the building
and were perfectly content that
the grounds should be used as
playground.
A new blow hit the citizens and
school officials alike, however, in
the budget hearings before the
House Subcommittee on Appropri-
atoms considering the present
budget. School officials were asking
funds to make over the Jefferson
for storehouse purposes when out Of
clear sky the late Auditor Daniel
j. Donovan urged delay and an
nouncedg the Commissioners had
plans for using the structure Is
municipal garage. Immediate op-
position of the citizens resulted.
Nothing further was heard about
the disposition of the property UNI
til a few days ago when DR.. Ballot
received a request from Acting Au-
ditor A. r. Pilkertor for opinion on
the District leasing the playground
section to a concern for Q public
parking lot.
U. s. Building Concentrated.
1t was indicated that some as 900
square feet of the grounds would be
used to meet a need arising out OF
the concentration of Federal build
ings In that section such as the
Railroad Retirement Board, the
Procurement Division and the new
Social Security Building. 1t was
apparently presumed that the play
center at the New Jefferson Junior
High, a few blocks away, would
sufice for the recreation purposes.
"HCn lllC CdlAlC Ap AOA
discussion by a committee Of the
Board Of Education. several of the
members and DR.. Ballou were Of the
opinion that no opposition should
be voiced since the proposal would
not affect the school building but
felt that the District Building should
consult the citizens and recreation
officials on the matter Mrs. Philip
/ Smith, a board member and chair
man of the committee. objected,
however, that this was the job Of
| the board since, under the present
situation, it is half partner in the
recreation system.
Aren't we supposed 10 do that"
she said 1T seems to me that II
/ is right up to us"
/ Co-ordinator of Recreation Lewis
r. Barrett arrived shortly afterward
and the matter was put up TO him.
He objected strongly saying that
the area was badly needed for play
ground purposes, was contemplated
in the recreation plan for the Dis
trict and that this was the only
area available in the section for II.
1T would be a big mistake" he
said, ITO turn that into a parking
lot. That ground is needed for the
smaller children. The ground az
the new Jefferson will be principal
ly for use of older children"
As a result Of objections by Mrs.
Smith and Mr.. Barrett, the MEM
bers then adopted a changed rec
concentration which. in a number
Of words, indicated a couched mo"
to the proposal.
Will Take Action.
We'll fight it." said Mr.. Wen
der when he learned of the pro-
posal and said he would take the
matter up with his association No
vember q.
In the first place. Mr.. Wender
said. the school grounds are in .
residential area and they are need
ed for recreation for the young chill
dren. There will be no fence around
the grounds Of the new Jefferson
when they are in shape. he said.
which would mean they are not par
ticularly adapted for the smaller
children.
He felt that at the worst Moth
ing should be done about making a
public parking lot out Of the prop
erty until the new Jefferson grounds
are completed and il can be eeen