Evening star., 1952-06-05
Groups Report
On Fight Against
Vandalism Here
Broken Windows
In Schools Cost
$4,000 Yearly


port on the campaign against
vandalism in the Districts schools
and public buildings was given last
night by the Civic Responsibility
Committee Of Washington.
Representatives of the schools,
public utilities, the motion picture
industry and others attended the
meeting in Burdick Vocational
High School, Thirteenth and AL
Ilison streets NV. Mrs Alma M.
|Shugrue, chairman of the execu-
tive committee, presided.
Under the civil responsibility
campaign, a study of juvenile
vandalism in the District was
initiated by the Elementary Prin-
cipalS' Association in September,
1850, to determine its extent. Ex-
|ploratory surveys have been made
in number of areas.
Corning Letter Read.
The meeting began with the
reading of letter from DR.. Hobart
M. Corning. superintendent Of
District schools. who was unable
to attend. 1t stated in part:
Through your efforts the entire
community has become conscious
Of its responsibility and the con-
tinuous efforts of the school per-
ISonnel over the years in teaching
children good citizenship and re-
spect for property.
Il am convinced, as I know you
and your committee are, that van
daliSm by the school pupils can be
controlled only through the CO.
operative efforts of all forces
which touch the lives Of the chill
dren. The home. school, church
and the community resources
must work together to determine
the causes of behavior back of acts
of vandalism and to establish
programs for youth which will di.
rect their energy into profitable
channels"
Window Toll $43,OO0 Yearly.
DR.. James A. Cannon. chairman
of the Finance Committee of the
Board of Education. told of the
price of vandalism in schools dur
ing the IL years Of his chairman
ship. He said broken windows
alone now cost $4,000 a year.
Among many reports, Ralph
Thompson. assistant librarian Of
the District Public Library system,
told Of what other cities are doing
about general vandalism. He said
many have ordinances that make
parents financially responsible for
vandalism committed by their
children.
1t was pointed out that In the
District there is no trespass law
for any public building in the
District. The committee is SEEK
ing such law. as well as one
which would make parents finan-
|cially responsible.
Church Help Described.
Mrs. Dwight E. Avis, past first
vice president of the District Con-
Igress of Parents and Teachers.
and chairman of the education
committee of the Civic RESPONSE
bility group. reported on help from
the churches. Conferences have
been held with the WASHINGTON
Federation of Churches. the Cath
Iolic Diocese and the Rabbinical
Council. They are adopting a
program to aid in eliminating van
dalism. -
George Hammond. director of
safety and education of the Amer
lean Automobile Association.
treasurer of the committee, re-
ported he has sent letters to the
city's clubs, civic, education and
fraternal groups on the matter.
Pledging continued cooperation
for the utilities companies were
Fred Caldwell of the Capital
Transit Co., Robert w. Wilson Of
the Potomac Electric Power Co.
and w. Herbert Gill of the WASH
ington Gas Light Co.
George Campbell. program di-
rector of Radio Station VOL. said
the station has produced a docu-
mentary type of radio program on
civic responsibility. Transcriptions
will be loaned free to any civic
group, PTA or school.
Film Short to Tell Problem.
Julian Brylawski. president Of
the Motion Picture Producers
Association, said he will produce
a trailer to combat vandalism. It
will be shown in all area theaters
and over television stations during
the summer.
Results of the recent slogan
contest to combat vandalism were
announced by Mrs. Dorothy
Small. past president of the
Classroom Teachers Association.
and Mrs. Virginia Beidler. chair
man of the Citizens Committee
of the Civic Responsibility organ
iZation.
Pupils who won prizes and their
Sl0Onnc uyaro.
Robert Levin, Barnard School,
Enjoy. Don't Destroy; Carol
Kaploff, aged Z, Noyes School.
"Buildup. Don't Breakup; Pa
tricia Wong and Ruth Arends.
Jefferson Junior High School.
"Americanism, Not Vandalism"
and Myron Menaker. Roosevelt
High School. "Why Break 1t Up?
Your Folks Paid for It."
The Inter-high Student Coun-
Gil, representing all junior and
senior high schools, will sponsor
a poster contest to combat van
dalism. Plans were described by
Mike McCardle. Alice Deal jun
lor High School; Wilhelmina
Baker. Banneker Junior High
Sally Ricci, Wilson High
School. and J. Billiard Martin.