Evening star., 1945-01-18
Commissioners
1oModify Plan
On School Heat.
Compromise Seen
As Boards Oppose
Stringent Program

1ne commissioners today moved
TO meet the objections of the Boards
of Education and Recreation to the
sweeping request that school build
ings be used for nothing except
school activities to save fuel.
The Commissioners said they were
hopeful that agreeable terms could
be worked out and made it clear
they did not wish to eliminate any
necessary recreational activities nor
interfere with night school classes
or any other educational activities.
Col. Joseph D. Arthur, jr., chair
man of the Commissioners Advisory
Committee on Conservation, said
that while it originally was the feel
ing of the committee that recrea-
tional activities should be eliminated
after school hours, he said it might
be possible in the public interest to
make notifications. He said the
Board of Recreation is in the best
position to advise the Advisory Com
mittee on any modification in the
program.
Suggest Notifications.
Col. Arthur said emphatically,
however, that he does not believe
buildings should be opened merely
for meetings of the parent-teacher
associations after hours.
The two boards-school and recre-
ation-meeting yesterday afternoon
suggested far-reaching measures to
save heating fuel, but refused to
comply fully with the Commission
ers' sweeping request that all after
hours activities be eliminated.
The boards decided, meeting sepa-
rately and then jointly, that certain
night activities-"canteens" for teen
ayers, first-aid classes, athletics and
orchestra recitals-should be con-
tinued in the evenings because they
contribute to the development of
the pupils" The Board of Educa-
ton suggested, however, that prin-
cipals cancel dances, plays and
alumni meetings until spring or hold
them in the afternoon.
Makes Vigorous Protest.
The Recreation Board meeting was
marked by vigorous protest by Milo
F. christensen, recreation superin-
tendent, that the recreational pro-
grams he controlled in 70 schools
after $3.50 pm. contributed to the
welfare of The community and could,
in the main, be carried on with no
heat and little light. Of the 70
buildings, 25 are used without heat
every week, 18 without heat once
month and 27 with heat.
Of this 27, however, Mr.. Chris
tiansen declared, seven are heated i
for regular evening classes con-
Quoted by the Board of Education
To work on revisions and changes
necessary to conserve heat in the
20 buildings thus using heat for
recreations only, the two boards
said committees would meet imme-
diately with power to act The
Recreation Board Committee, ap-
pointed at its meeting, is Harry S.
Wender, board chairman; James E.
SchWab, Mrs. George Garrett and
Mr. Christensen.
The Education Boards committee
" III pC " N1tlNlll kOtld1 pc, LII. IOODClI Il 4
A. Maurer and Mrs. Velma G..
williams.
Heated Discussion.
During discussion of their decision
to protect their recreational pro-
gram as much as possible, the rec
reation body heard a heated dis
cussion between Mr. Christensen
and Walter L. Fowler representa-
tive of the Commissioners, on
whether the city heads request to
discontinue night activities was an
order" or a policy statement"
Mr.. christensen pointed out that
he had cut his fuel consumption 20
per cent already and that the Com
missioners did not ask him for this
information before issuing their
request.
Mr.. Fowler replied that the Com
missioners are "level-headed busi-
nessmen' and know there must be
exceptions to every rule. If the
two boards could show proof that
cancellation of their programs would
work hardship to the community,
he said, the Commissioners would
no doubt accept the deviation with
out protest.
Six February graduations sched-
uled for evening probably will be
changed to afternoon. Recreational
activities being held in the 20
buildings heated for that purpose
alone probably will be shifted to
buildings without heat or ones hold
ing evening classes. Certain night
c1as secs with small enrolly,e,tc NOV