Evening star., 1951-09-05

Y
of "maladmin-
istration and Charles y. Kelloss.
Iindiscretion"
The council also sharply criti-
cized the board for failing to ac-
cept the old councils invitation
to attend last nights meeting ito
discuss the present school emer-
lgency."
Mrs. Helen Regan, the board
chairman, had explained only two
members of the board would be
available for the meeting and sug-
Igested that the council sit with
the board September IL.
But Charles E. Kellogg, who
was elected Mayor by his fellow
council members. termed the re-
ply most unsatisfactory"
Nearly 100 persons jammed the
council room during last nights
session, at which only the re-
straining hand of Lytton H. Glib
son, the new city attorney, kept
the city heads from beginning
their investigation Immediately.
Charges Read.
After Mr.. Kellogg was elected
Mayor and James E. Durant was
named vice mayor, Councilman
Samuel E. McCrary read aloud a
letter from the School Emergency
Committee which listed more than
a dozen charges against the
School Board.
Among them was the statement
that the board rented two old
frame houses for school quarters
without having them inspected for
safety and sanitation.
The letter was signed by H. P.
IStrople. Philip r. Cosminsky
John r. Wells, Dudley D. Berry,
j. H. Burt and Joseph P. E. Nor
lrison.
MIR. McCrary then asked the
council to grant the request for an
investigation. His motion was
approved.
At this point, Mayor Kellogg
noted that two board members,
Mrs. John A. Wallace and William
Glover, and Supt. of Schools Irwin
H. Schmidt were present, and
asked them if they wanted to
comment on the charges contained
in the letter. They declined to
do SO.
After the meeting, however, Mr..
Glover told reporters the board
had obtained the approval of the
State Board of Education in rent
ling the two houses and that State
Officials had inspected them. Both
he and Mrs. Wallace said there
ARE no safety hazards in the two
buildings.
Discussion Set Monday.
Mr.. Glover also revealed that
Mr.. Strople had presented his
committees charges to the State
Board and that the State and
Falls Church School Boards will
meet Monday to discuss them.
It was after the School Board
members had refused to comment
at the meeting that some council
members suggested having the city
heads take testimony Immediately
from Mrs. Wallace and Mr.. Glover.
Mr.. Kellogg said the council
had no intention of embarrassing
the School Board nor did it in
tend to embrak on a witch hunt.
I'VE just want to develop the
facts" he asserted.
Mr. McCrary said the council
also should hear from members Of
the School Emergency Committee.
Mr.. Gibson recommended a de-
lay, however, so that prospective
witnesses could obtain legal coun-
sci and prepare their evidence.
An attempt by Mr.. Strople to
show photographs which he said
supported his committees claim
that the two frame buildings are
unsafe for children was waved
aside by Mayor Kellogg.
The council then instructed its
clerk Harry Welles, to order the
Schooi Board to appear tonight to
discuss the charges. The action
was opposed by Mr.. Glover. who
ccntended the board would not
have enough time to get an at
torney. He added three" other
board members are out of town.
But Mr.. McCrary expressed the
belief the council could obtain
much OF the necessary informa-
ton from Mr.. Schmidt.
Inspection Reported Ordered.
The council also adopted a
resolution instructing City Mana
ger w. r. Woodbury. and his en-
tire fire and health inspection
staff to look over the two build