Evening star., 1948-12-02
Strayer Warns
Some Schools
Here Are Unsafe
Education Board Told
Need Is Desperate
To Guard Children


would not want to be in a posi-
tion to assume responsibility for
the safety Of children" in ,some
schools here.
The Columbia University profess
sor last week recommended to Con-
gress that $37,901,81 be spent on
construction to bring the Districts
public schools up to par. His survey,
at a cost of 100000, was requested
by the Senate and House Appro-
priations Committees and the report
on building needs was the first sec
ton.
Congressional interest in the re-
ports findings was reflected in an
announcement today by Representa-
tive Miller, Republican, of Nebraska,
who today is making a careful
study of it.
Back here after his reelection,
DR.. Miller, physician, said he be-
lieved some steps should be taken to
improve the school system. But un-
til he makes a more thorough study
Of the report, he will withhold de-
tailed comment. He indicated he
will continue to serve as a member
Of the House District Committee.
Board Holds Meeting.
DR.. Strayer appeared at the school
boards regular meeting yesterday
to discuss his recommendations. In
the ma jority of instances. his build
ing program paralleled that which
the board has been advocating.
In discussing his recommended
tions, DR.. Strayer said the need here
Is desperate"
Il mean just that" he declared.
at is a matter of the safety of the
children, their health and educa-
ton"
He said SO many of Washington's
schools were so old as to be abso-
lutely unsafe. He added it was an
error to take refuge in the fact that
no disaster had ever occurred. He
condemned particularly the old
fashioned fire escapes on many of
the old schools. branding them
"travesty" as safety devices.
DR.. Strayer explained that was
why he went all the way" in rec
ommending rehabilitation of 45
elementary schools which included
installation of fire resistant stair
wells.
Repeats Criticisms.
He criticized, as he had in his
report, the poor lighting in class
rooms, the small size of classrooms,
the large number of students crowd
ed into them and poor toilet
facilities.
Again he condemned the "pay-as-
you-go" method of financing
construction and called for an
interest-free loan from the Federal
Government.
Before DR.. Strayer addressed the
board. DR.. Corning presented sew
eral reports analyzing certain as
poets of DR.. Strayer's survey.
One Of DR.. Corning's documents
pointed out that Dr. Strayer's pro-
posals and the school boards
program are closely related with
only eight projects recommended
by Dr.. Strayer that we're not on
the board program.
Another report showed five pro-
grams were underway for renovat-
ing old schools. These include
painting program that contemplated
annual painting of 36 schools $50
have been painted since 1946):
four-year program of replacing
toilets which have been completed
in IL schools with SO to go;
0ne-year program to get the re-
manning IA schools without hot
water so serviced; a replacement
Of obsolete heating plants which
will be concluded during 1850; and
two-year program for resurfac-
ing SO Fairgrounds (87 have been
done.
Requests in Budget.
Included in the 1850 budget are
requests for $4,000 to start a To-
year program of refinishing floors;
$4,000 to start 10-year-program to
improve lighting in 1850 classrooms,
and $4,000 to begin a fve-year
program to correct violations of the
fire regulations.
Concerning the need for fire alarm
boxes in the schools. DR.. Corning
made two recommendations which
the board adopted:
That suitable fire alarm equip
ment should be installed inside the
building to permit direct notifica-
ton of the Ere Department as we'll
as clear the building.
That fire alarm box be installed
IN front of each building on the
street to protect the school when
1t is closed.
Study on Types Asked.
DR.. Corning was asked by the
Commissioners to study the ques-
ton and make recommendations as
a result of squabble between
Fire Chief Clement Murphy and
Herbert A. Friede, superintendent
of communications, as to what type
Of alarm should be used.
Chief Murphy wants an ordinary
fire alarm box installed in the pro-
posed Birney Elementary School at
Nichols avenue and Sumner road
Sc. Mr.. Friede wants a remote
control" type which is installed in
side the building.
Engineer Commissioner Gordon r.
Young asked for DR.. Corning's study
before attempting to settle the dis
pute. He also is obtaining informa-
ton from other cities as to the
types used.
The Commissioners announced
today that the whole matter of the
fire alarm boxes for schools would
be taken up Tuesday morning at
their regular meeting. At that time
they will hear recommendations
from all concerned in the contro-
versy.
Type Only Recommended.
DR.. Corning pointed out that
not being an expert on alarms-all
he could do was recommend the
type he thought would be advisable.
In other actions, the board:
Took under advisement a report
from School Supt. Hobart M. Corn