Evening star., 1947-01-21
Staff Shortage
Cited as Factor
In School Blast
Commissioners Open
Their Inquiry Into
Laboratory Accident

a shortage OF SUBSTITUTE Ceacn-
ers an important factor in an
explosion that yesterday cost a
senior his hands in Richard
Montgomery High School, Rock
vile.
While Robert E. Jones, 18, of Is
Williams street, Rockville, lay criti-
cally injured in Suburban Hospital,
Bethesda, the Montgomery County
Commissioners opened an investiga-
ton into the accident.
The inquiry was to cover reasons
why five students were allowed to
conduct class in the high school
laboratory without teacher super
vision.
Given Several Transfusions.
Young Jones was mixing chemi-
Gals for a bomb" when the Explo-
sion occurred yesterday morning. He
was given several blood transfusions
at the hospital last night. His ply
sician said he spent fair night"
and was in no immediate danger.
The Rockville Volunteer Fire De-
partment provided six pints of blood
for use when needed.
An investigation by Police Chief
Charles M. Orme revealed that the
bomb" experimenting began last
week. He was told by the other
students that one day they took
the experiment outside, but that
the bomb" fizzled when they ig-
nited it.
Chief Ornse learned about the ex-
periments from Ronald Ricketts,, 16,
of 104 South Adams street; Betty
Lou Beane, 18, of 129 South Adams
street; Beverly Beauchamp, 18, of
Sill East Montgomery, and Charlotte
Seifert, 16, of 702 West Montgom-
cry, the only other students in class
when the explosion occurred.
Young Ricketts,, who was mixing
the chemicals with Jones, was
knocked down by the blast. He re-
covered in time to tie belts around
Jones arms and reduce the bleed
ing.
Had Spoken to Boys.
Placed in charge of the class be-
cause the teacher, William Lowe,
was home i'll, Miss Beane said she
had spoken to the boys about play
ing with the chemicals, but added,
you know how hard it is for girls
to give orders to boys their age"
She and the other girls were at
the far end of the room from the
explosion, and were not injured.
They were so badly shocked, how
ever, that they were sent home.
Miss Seifert, who was studying
her English lessons at the end of
the room, and Miss Beane, returned
to school for afternoon classes.
Recalling "the boys in the class
had tried to make bombs before,
Miss Beauchamp said she also had
cautioned them yesterday.
DR.. Raymond P. Black, pastor of
Christ Episcopal Church, Rockville,
which the Jones family attends,
spoke to students at the Rockville
School this morning. A former Navy
chaplain, he advised them how to
visit with young Jones when he is
able to receive them.
All the students in the laboratory
with Jones were in school today
with the exception of Ricketts,. A
close friend of the injured youth. he
wanted to be near him at the hos
pital.
Unable to Get Substitutes.
DR.. Edwin w. Broome, county
superintendent Of schools, pointed
out the substitute teacher deficiency,
but said it was general policy that
no students be permitted to work
alone where danger is involved
He said the county had suffered
from the Nationwide substitute
Shortage and there is simply Moth
ing we can do about it,"
At present, substitutes receive
approximately $3.50 a day. Raising
salaries might influence more at
tendance at teacher training
schools, but would not relieve the
present condition, he said.
Seniors Look After Selves.
DR.. Broome was unable to esti-
mate the number of substitutes
available since each school keeps
its own list. He said an average
of 100 substitutes are employed dur
ing the winter, when there is the
most illness among teachers.
: 1t is the established practice In
county schools for seniors to "look
after themselves" when no substi-
tute is available, he said. In lower
classes, it has been the custom to
use seniors as supervisors, or stu
dent teachers from colleges in the
Washington area.
He said it is particularly difficult
to get substitutes for specialized
subjects, such as science, shop and
home economics. More substitutes
usually are available in schools in
heavily populated areas, such as
Bethesda and Silver Spring.
Shortage Laid to Low Pay.
Another who thought the substi-
tute teacher shortage had a direct
bearing on the accident was LIE Roy
Sherman, president of the schools
Parent Teacher Association. He
blamed low pay of teachers and the
comparatively good pay young wom-
en- could receive in Government jobs
for the shortage.
"I have a good deal of confidence
in the high school and principal and
faculty." he said. "I can't see why
they should be particularly blamed
for this unfortunate thing"
The Parent Teacher Association
has regularly scheduled r1eeting
tonight and while the incident
doubtless will be discussed, Mr. Sher-
man said he would not recommend
a separate investigation.
Chew 10 Seek Additional
Session Of Arlington Board
F. Freeland Chew, member of the
Arlington County Board, will pro-
,.oea that The hoard hold on oddi