Evening star., 1941-10-14
Takoma School Fire
Linked 10 Burglary;
; Youths Released
Children Return TO
Closes in Firehouse;
Education Bourd Hit

Prince Georges County police to-
day had linked the fire which caused
s11, 900 damage to the J. Enos Ray
Elementary School in Takoma Park
early yesterday to burglary in the
school during the night, but were
uncertain as to whether it was arson
or of accidental,origin.
Two teachers desks were broken
into and about SIS in cash was
taken, according to a report by Mrs.
Frances Lindahl, school principal.
On one of the desks police found
candle wax However, whether the
fire was started deliberately or by
accident could not be determined,
police said.
Lights had been reported in the
building a short time before the fire
call was received and a rear base
ment door locked Saturday night by
one of the school trustees when he
left the building was found unlocked
yesterday morning, school officials
said.
Three Baltimore youths picked up
by county police last night were re-
leased today after police were salts
fed they had nothing to do with the
burglary or fire.
After one-day vacation. the 209
pupils of the school resumed classes
| in improvised rooms in the Takoma
Park Firehouse. School officials said
/ repairs would be made Immediately,
/ but would require from six TO eight
weeks for completion.
Materials for the repair work are
assured, but an addition contem-
plated for the overcrowded struc-
tuIe may have to be abandoned for
the present, County School Supt.
Nicholas Orem said today.
Meanwhile, town officials criti-
cized the Board of Education for
failure to heed warnings of fire
hazards in the building contained in
report submitted recently by Herald
| w. Hirst. former chief of the
Takoma Park Fire Department and
town fire marshal.
Peril to Pupils Cited.
At the Town Council meeting last
night members claimed that only
the fact that the fire broke out be-
fore school opened yesterday saved
many of the children from possible
injury.
In report submitted by one of
the councilmen last night it was
stated that the schools stairways
are of wood and the ceiling joists
ready to cave in, while the walls in
some places are insecure. Members
of the council expressed the belief
that the structure should be rebuilt
and made fireproof.
Asks Police Protection.
The council also voted to request
Prince Georges County authorities to
provide police supervision for the
pupils while attending classes in the
flrehouse, which is located in Mont
gomery County, as the town is un-
willing to accept any responsibility
for their safety.
Mayor Oliver w. Youngblood COM
mended Fire Chief Irving w. john
son and his men for their work at
the fire.
An appeal was made to the Coun-
Gil for the appointment of sanitary
engineer, by Mrs. George Robertson
and Mrs. Walter P. Harmon, the
former a past president and the
latter president of the Takoma Park
Health and Welfare Center.
Ordinances were adopted provid-
ing for the construction of a side
walk on Chicago avenue between
Boston and Boundary avenues at a
cost Of 80 cents per linear foot, also
curb and gutter on Jefferson avenue
at the same COST A petition was
received from residents of Birch ave-
nue. requesting curb and cutters be
constructed between Philadelphia
and DOQWOOd avenues