Evening star., 1951-03-11
Shortages Delay
Construction Of
Nearby Schools
Substitutions Already
Are Necessary for
Some Steel Items
By Robert J. Lewis

~ NS1Sst - 1.-TWO
The clamorous need for addi-
tional school facilities in Wash
ington's mushrooming suburbs is
running UP against materials
shortages that already have de-
layed such construction and are
likely to become increasingly
severe.
Steel construction has been the
rule in the past for many build
ings, but already reinforced con-
crete and precast concrete are be-
ing substituted, and further SUBJ
stitutions probably will include
wooded structural supports to beat
materials shortages.
The most critical shortage in
this area is in steel.
Little construction has been de-
layed seriously so far, but the
problem is getting worse.
"Gray Market" Reported.
Delivery dates on non-defense
orders are quoted in some cases
as from eight to Is months after
the order is placed.
School officials in Montgomery
Prince Georges and Arlington
Counties said yesterday they were
deeply concerned over complica-
tions from materials shortages.
In Arlington County. tor eX-
ample, five rented churches, base
ments and other unsuitable space
have been pressed into service
to serve as classrooms for the
swollen school population.
Double shifts in Schools.
In Prince Georges County, 1900
students are on halliday" OF
"double-shift" basis.
In Montgomery County. dou-
ble-shift pupils have been re-
duced to about TOO.
The biggest school construction
program affected is that of Fair
fax County. where sos million
has been tied up in litigation
since May. Quonset huts. school
auditoriums, churches-even fire
houses have been pressed into
service as classrooms by Fairfax
school officials.
In Alexandria. the only major
construction planned soon is a
new high school in the northwest
section. Alexandria recently COM
pleted a SO million school building
program and has no serious class
room shortages.
ALLEGATION of Materials.
National Education Association
officials here said school construc-
ton throughout the country has
been held up by shortages. and
the outlook is dark unless the
Government decides to allocate
materials.
Educational groups recently
formed an organization known as
Mobilization of Education to i'm
press on Government mobilization
officials the Importance of provid-
ing adequate materials for schools
James L. McCaskill, NEA stafi
member who is national co-ordi-
nator of the Mobilization of Edu-
cation organization, said yester-
day the Government has done
nothing SO far" on the problem.
Mr.. McCaskill said the chief
shortages are ip steel, electrical
equipment. plumbing equipment
glazed tile and heating equip
ment.
Enrolment to Increase.
A summary of the situation in
three metropolitan area counties
follows:
The Montgomery county schools
have 28.400 students, said DR.. Ed
win W. Broome, superintendent
He said 5000 more students are
expected in September than
were enrolled last September with
5000 additional net gain In Sep
tember, 1852
The current school building
program of 80 projects covers
about ITO classrooms, plus caf.
eterias, kitchens, gymnasiums
and Office rooms.
Most contracts have been lei
for this program in the last eight
months
Good Start in Prince Georges.
In Prince Georges County
Schools Superintendent William
S. Schmidt said there are 31,67s
students with a $500 net gain ex.
pected by September and 2,50C
additional expected by September
1852.
The program now under way
had good start and the bulk
Of the projects escaped effects oi
the post-Korea Tightening of ma.
terials supply.
In Arlington County, the schoo
board faces the problem of having
no funds in sight and construc.
ton, delays if money is provided
William A. Early, Arlington
superintendent, said his county.
schools have l6,100 students al
present. He said a 1900 net gair
is expected by September ane
1,700 more by September, 1852.
The school board yesterday tool
steps to have the Circuit Court
set a referendum date on a bono
issue for $4,875. 900. Any new
construction would hinge on thu
outcome of such a vote.
Night Club Patrons
II r.