Evening star., 1949-11-24
Recalls When Central High
Wa, Nrnudad Without UurfinU Ctr

Was Crowded without Hurting Students
To the Editor of The Star:
There have been many articles written
about the crowded conditions of the colored
high schools in Washington, but very little
has ever been written about the crowded
conditions at Central High School during
the years Of 1919 to 1922. At that time
Central was newly occupied. built to accom-
modate about 1900 students with an enroll
ment Of about $500.
It was necessary to operate the school
on three shifts. The cadets drilled early
and late. It always was necessary to hold
two assemblies. Glass rooms and study
halls were housed in every conceivable space.
We Central students of that day accepted
this crowded condition as matter of course
and did not ask any bther school to accom-
modate us. Many Of us had to leave home
very early in the morning while another
group did not get home until very late.
The worst hardship of this over-crowded
condition was borne by our principal, his
assistants and the members of the faculty.
At that time Central was the only mod
ern high school for white students offering
straight academic work, business and tech
nical training, or complete facilities for
all forms of school activities. I think I
only white school at the present time with
an indoor swimming pool.
Let us look at the present condition of
Western High School, one of the Oldest
white high school buildings in use. West
tern has the same :nondescript laboratory
equipment it has been using for the past
30-some years. Only recently has Western
had adequate athletic facilities. Yet de-
spite all this, Western has turned out
winning athletic teams as we'll as preparing
thousands Of boys and girls for college.
Let US now look at the situation at Car
dozo. For many years this building was
used by Business High School and probably
did not have as many facilities as it does
since it was renaode4ad in 1882. yet 1t was
used without complaint
The Negroes Of Washington are COM
planning OF the ovea'croWded condition in
their schools when they have definite relief
In sight with the completion of the new
Springarn High School. It has been sug-
gested that they could relieve this situation
by transferring some of their overflow to
the partially filed Park View School.
To ask Central High School, the oldest
white high school in the City of Washing
ton, to close its doors, scattering its 1900
students to the four winds, is without ques-
ton unreasonable. The idea Is preposterous,
to disrupt school with the tradition Of
Central simply to give temporary relief
to a crowded situation in any school.
Overcrowding Of white high schools at
different times has proven no great dis
advantage to the white students Way
should 1t be such a serious handicap to
the Negroes?
They claim that their children are not
offered the same educational advantages
as the whites, and their only argument
is the lack Of school buildings. But an
education can be acquired In barn If
yod have good teachers and materials to
work with. Both the white and Negro
teachers In Washington have the same
facilities for education must meet the same
requirements and receive the same pay
Therefore. there is no question but that
the Negro teachers ara competent; and with
competent teachers available the over
crowding Of q school building has not proven
an educational handicap It was not to
white students OF a few years ago. Why
should 1t be considered handicap to the
Negro students of today?
G. RAYMOND PRUETT,
Class Of 1922, Central High School.