Evening star., 1946-05-03
Plan for Boys School
On Pook 5 Hill Estate
Opposed at Hearing

A petition to operate a boys pre-
paratory school on the Pook's Hill
estate on the Rockville pike was
under consideration by the Mont
gomery County Board of Zoning
Appeals today after a hearing at
which opposition was expressed by
the neighboring property owners.
r. E. Goolsby, who now operates
the Columbian Preparatory School
at 1445 Rhode Island avenue NV,
which trains boys for Annapolis and
West Point. produced naval officers,
students and teacher as witnesses
in his behalf before the board
meeting in Bethesda yesterday.
All testified that discipline was
SO strict and study periods so long
at the school that the students
would have no chance to roam
around or make any noise on the
estate, which was owned by Crown
Princess Martha of Norway until
purchased few weeks ago by Harry
Brodie. Mr.. Brodie has arranged
a seven-year lease of the property
to Mr.. Goolsby.
Decreased Land Values Seen.
Charles B. Hawley, Z resident Of
the area, testified, however, that
although the school was probably
q fine institution" it would "seri-
ously decrease" the value Of the land
on Rockville pike.
He gavesas other reasons fer his
opposition: Sse-'Rs--a,ssssss
The house itself would becorae so
deterorated" that 1t could never
agajn be usedas a private rest3esJSe,
Tnt tl1esAo pupils taccofding d
Mr. Goolsby's estimate Of the con-
templated fall enrollment) would SO
overcrowd the dwelling as to eonsti-
tute . serious. menace to health"
and that water and sewage facilities
were never constructed for so large
. number Of persons.
II the estate is not used as a
whole for residential purposes it Is
needed for necessary housing"
He further charged that the board
had not given notice of the meeting
to other property owners in the
neighborhood. Oliver M. Walker,
chairman Of the board, declared
however, that the secretary had
mailed such notices to all concerned.
Long time Resident Heard.
Mrs. Daisy I. Wilton, owner Of 20
acres adjacent to the estate and
longtime resident Of the area, de-
clared she had little use for private
schools"
AS far as the Navy goes, there
will be little future use for prepara-
tory schools-an the officers some
day will be chosen from the ranks" "
she added.
Mr.. Goolsby attempted to show
that Gilbert Grosvenor, president of
the National Geographic Society
and resident Of the area, was In
favor of the school at the new loca-
ton.
Mr.. Hawley, however, said that
DR.. Grosvenor had asserted only
that he did not object to the school
because he lived across the road,
too far to hear any noise"
DR.. Grosvenor Away.
It was then brought out that DR..
Grosvenor Is in Guatemala and
testimony concerning him was con-
cluded.-
Witnesses on behalf Of the school
included Capt. William T. Rassieur,
Comdr. Ernest E. Stevens and
Comdr. Morton Nicely, all of whom
said their sons had trained at Co
lumbar.
Mr.. Goolsby said the only other
opposition to the school had been
registered by the fire marshal who
said that fire escapes should be in
stalled.
1t is expected that the board will
render a decision shortly as the
lease terms call for occupancy of
Pook's Hill early next month.