Evening star., 1949-12-10

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paredness Of the United States just for the
sake of demoting the Navy, of slapping down
an admiral or various other recalcitrant OIL
GERS. They may be wrong in theory but not
in motives.
But, further, Mr.. Lawrence and certain
Navy officers have taken upon themselves
to question the integrity and motives OF
various men whose record proves them to be
outstanding strategists, military geniuses
and leaders who have had the support and
admiration of the American people and the
world-namely, Gen. Omar Bradley, Gen.
Joe Collins Gen. Vandenberg. Backing up
these generals have been Gen. Marshall,
Gen. Eisenhower and Gen. Spaatz 1t is IN
conceivable that these men are petty enough
to try to scuttle any branch of the service.
Remember, three of them actually operated
during the war with the Navy-in landings
and amphibious operations-and one COM
manded the joint operations of all three
services for two years in Europe.
The Navy-and I admire and like it as an
Incompatible outfit of gallant and outstand-
ing overwhelmingly has a group who
have lost their heads and their public rela-
tions sense, and attacked men of equal or
greater ability and integrity. Every one Of
that group, and Mr.. Lawrence also, owes an
apology to the officers have named for i'm
pugning their integrity and motives-and as
far as am concerned. to the civilian heads
as WELL
When they have done that then Navy
men can and should argue the policies of
national defense on the merits of the ques-
ton. including always the budget limitations
in the picture. That is their prerogative up
to some point when it becomes insubordina-
ton. F.C.P.
Central Junior Division Teachers Tell
OF Their Experiences With "Emergencies"
To the Editor Of The Star:
There are many sides to every question,
and in the proposed transfer of Central
there are more than one. One group which
has received little discussion, is the Junior
Division which was moved from Powell
to make room for the Bell Vocational School
In September of 1948.
Residents of the District of Columbia are
aware that no long-range building program
for school population has been made in
this city. Washington is and will continue
to be city where the mobility. the density
and the shifts Of population will be con-
slant problem A change in politics, even
a change in the idealisms within party;
real estate Development the commercial or
residential rezoning of an area; the decen-
tralization Of Government administrations
may set in motion other transfers of popu-
lation, some expected, some unexpected
The Junior Division of Central is aware
of the hardships and the inequalities created
by these unexpected population shifts. The
section Of the city serving this group of
pupils never has had an adequate junior
high school plant. The community struggled
to meet the situation as the enrolment rose
from $50 to 1900 in building having an
estimated capacity Of ITO. A third floor
was added. Portable buildings were placed
on the only available playground space. The
old abandoned Hubbard school, four blocks
away, and the Adams. twelve blocks away
were used. forcing pupils to risk the hazards
OF Fourteenth street traffic between morning
and afternoon sessions. The pupils shared
the johnson with an elementary school. At
first, there were no gyms. On stormy days
classes IN physical education were held in
basement corridors outside the shops.
Limited Space Problem.
The auditorium never seated more than
1872 pupils at any time. It remained just
an elementary school assembly hall. Sim
1arly. the limited lunch room capacity, toilet
facilities and locker space, four pupils shar-
ing locker, never met the requirements Of
junior high school. The shops were located
In made-over elementary school playrooms,
The library was in part Of a corridor.
johnson elementary school became a part
Of the plant and pupils continued to cross
the street between class periods in sun, rain,
sleet or snow.
When the period of declining population
came, 1t was impossible to offer full Junior
high school program. There was little or no
choice Of courses, one shop one language,
one business group; no variety for the many
pupils who lack the interest or capacity for
limited training.
The Junior Division understands the
problems Of shifting populations for since
1925 this school has had a history of ad-
justments and changes. Parents, pupils
and teachers Of this community have tried
to meet the situation, working constantly
to secure better and more suitable arrange
ments.
In September, 194S, Powell became a part
OF Central High School. This adjustment
was not easy at first. Such change re-
suits In loss Of teaching properties and pupil
records. the disorganizatlon Of the esprit
de corp OF one school entity and the ac-
ceptance OF new relationships. new philo-
sophtes, new routines and new loyalties.
The six year unit at Central provides an
enriched program for the Junior Division.
There are varied courses offered for the first
time to the Junior Division in math. Ian
guage history. shop, business. sewing, music,
art and swimming. An extensive library
selection of books supervised by a trained
librarian offers new educational service
to the Junior Division. The early direction
OF pupils toward advanced training is made
possible by the information and, advisory
counsel available in the College Bureau.
These services can be provided In six
year unit The diversified program at Gen.
trail does meet the educational needs and
the community interests of this section Of
the city.
No Other Building Available.
Central's six year plan provides an ade-
quate program for 1900 day school pupils
and 1900 night school pupils In COM
munity which has no other school building