Evening Star Newspaper, January 1, 1930, Page 36

ACHIEVEMENTS MINIMiZED BY PROBES AND CRITICISM Two High Officials Resign and Two Others Now Face Trial—Budget and Water 'in’ HE principal portion of the 1929 history of the District govern- ment, the sensational portion at least, was written in the Metro- politan Police Department, the target for many years of professional critics both inside and out of Congress. | Congressional investigations of the | department and threats of more in-| vestigations, together with recurring at- tacks on its highest administrative | officials, served to keep the municipal | government in almost constant turmoil. | Thus have the real achievements of the year been overshadowed and per- haps minimized in an orgy of police muck raking. | The very beginning of 1929 found a | subcommittee of the House probing into | the affairs of the police department, | and as the year passes into history A’ subcommittee of the Senate gives no- | tice of an early resumption of an un- completed investigation of the depart- ment started several months ago. In the interim, however, there were many events which disturbed the department, brought about changes in the person- nel and showed a decided tendency to | break down the spirit, morale and dis- | cipline of the entire force. Burlingame First Victim. Guy E. Burlingame, former com- mander of the second precinct, whose life's work was in the police depart- | ment, was the first victim of the at- tacks on the police. Maj. Edwin B. Hesse, former superintendent, came next, and_the end of the year finds r Willlam 8. Shelby, an_assist- ant superintendent, and Lieut. Edward J. Kelly, former head of the homicide squad of the detective bureau, fighting before ai. Extraordinary Trial Board of District officials serious charges that they bungled the investigation of the mysterious death of Mrs. VI ia Mc- Pherson. Burlingame's name appeared con- spicuously in newspaper headlines in the early months of 1929 as a result of sensational ‘charges preferred against him by Mrs. Helen F. Blalock, a former reader of upper Seventh street, in the territorial bounds of the second precinct, where this officer was in com- mand. A Special Police Trial Board finally sifted these charges and acquit- ted Burlingame, and he went into the seclusion of retirement. Hesse Also Retires. Critics of the police then concen- trated on Maj. Hesse, who rose from the humble position of a stenographer in the department to be its superin- tendent. The most serious charge made Hesse was that he took a drink in a speakeasy near his home, and he denied this. The disturbance in the department, however, had troubled him and broken his health, and he, too, re- tired, after 35 years of service. Henry G. Pratt, another veteran in the department, was promoted as suc- cessor to Hesse. And his tenure as superintendent which began April 1, bas thus far been marked with a va- riety of disturbing elements. History appears_to be repeating itself. Charges that Washington is not as dry as it should be, coupled with the announcement of President Hoover that he wanted the Capital to be a model for the Nation in prohibition enforce- ment have given Maj. Pratt grave con- cern. But the bombshell of his brief career as superintendent came in the form of the now (nmt':'us ucl:fiern‘:n case. Although he is not personally in- volved, the sensational charges of the July grand jury that the police con- ducted an inefficient investigation of this case, have disturbed him percepti- bly. Pratt Falls Heir to Allen. In addition Maj. Pratt fell heir to| the case of Robert J. Allen, a policeman who started an independent crusade for the protection of defenseless prison- ers against inhumane treatment, and Jater enlarged the scope of his activities to include the attempted solution of some of Washingtan's mysterious ‘homicides. Allen’s greatest achievement in his comparatively brief career on the force I’ufil independent investigation of the death of Mrs. McPherson, which re- sulted in the July grand jury indict- ing her husband for the murder. A subsequent grand jury, however, in- vestigated the case and ignored the indictment, freeing the husband. The pandora’s box which Allen opened In the McPherson case, was far-reaching and led indirectly to his own dismis- sal from the force, the charges against Inspector Shelby and Lieut. Kelly and caused Capt. Robert E. Doyle of the eighth precinct to be ordered before the Police Trial Board for insubordination. Capt. Doyle was acquitted, however, but Shelby and Kelly do not yet know their o Allen was dismissed for Specifically, | lnsupbe:YGMI!lnn. & charge preferred District Fire Losses in 1929 Extraordinary work by the rescue squads marked the activities of lhel ire rtment during 1929. Fu'-rhxexs;uads were credited with sav- ing several score lives. As has been the custom for several years, the squads revived numerous persons injured in various accidents other than those re- sulting from fires. Squad No. 1 worked on 195 cases. In each of these it was :‘leo‘;:m e squad was successful in 143 cases. Squad No. 2 performed such services 71 times, reviving 42 persons. Losses from fires during the year were estimated at $1,100,000. Multiple alarms were sounded on 25 occasions. In such instances an unusually large number of men were required to cope with the flames. of property was saved from destruction. Eight Hurt Fighting Blaze. he most spectacular and disastrous h);x:u of lhep(;lcar reduced to ashes nearly all of the buiiding formerly oc- cupied by the Dulin & Martin store. Eight firemen were injured in fighting this fire. The damage was estimated the White House fire on in importance among the fires amage was that which almost Jeveled St. Dominic’s Church, Sixth and E streets southwest. The loss aggregated approximately $95,758. The recent fire in the executive offices of the White House also ranked among the big blazes of the year. The damage totaled about $60,000. Among the other fires resulting in more than one alarm and the damage totals: November 11, paper box factory on First between B and C streets, $53,804: February 8, furniture warehouse at 19-21 M strect northeast, $78,300, and August 4, a wholesale grocety store at 230 M street, $17.500. Fire Marchall Scib Retired. y record of 100 per cent d for the year. Chief ) to resort to artificial respira- | An_enormous amount | Spotlight. against him ®n the basis of a letter he wrote to Maj. Pratt in explanation of a published threat he made to investi- gate the United States attorney's office for failure to prosecute an investment broler arrested more than a year ago. oyle was Allen's commanding officer and for defending the officer the cap- tain~ also cited before the Police Trial Board to answer a charge of insubor- dination. The board found Allen guilty and sentenced him to dismissal. He | made a vigorous fight to prevent the imposition of the sentence, but the Com- missioners upheld the Trial Board ings. Aside from the turmoil in the Police | Department, 1929 was a year of several | noteworthy achievements in the District | government. Outstanding was the un- | precedented budget framed by the Commissioners for the coming fiscal which the Bureau of the Budget pproved and transmitted to Congress. ‘This budget, calling for appropriations totaling $47,880,228, is the largest ever submitted for the District. But even more significant is the fact that it rep- resents a change in the policy of the Budget Bureau of keeping the budgetary estimates of the Commissioners within a previously determined allocation. ‘The $47,880,228 total exceeded hy $1,542,572 the amount allocated by the bureau in July, and is but $580,640 short of the amount sought by the Com- 1 -sioners in the final estimates. It will provide a number of important public improvements and the comple- tion of some of those started this year. Five-Year Water Program. In addition to the budget, water held the spotlight of public attention for considerable time, following disclosures that nearly one-third of Washington's total supply was wasted and unac- counted for, and that nearly 15,000 water meters were either defective or functioning improperly. As an outgrowth of these disclosures, | the water department in conjunction | with the office of the United States engineer of the District, which has supervision over the supply system, worked out a five-year program for modernization of both the supply and distribution systems. The budget for the 1931 fiscal year beginning July 1, carries appropriations for beginning this program. The program contemplates the ulti- mate elimination of all of the defective meters, and an exhaustive survey to determine the cause of the enormous water waste and its elimination as well as improvements in mains and increased pumping facilities. Indications are, however, that District officials may find it necessary to increase water rates to raise sufficient revenue to finance the program, since the water department will be required, on the basis of present plans, to carry out the improvements with funds it receives from the sale of water. Start Acquisition of Site. From the standpoint of the District government itself, the most important project undertaken during the year was the actual start on acquisition of a site for the municipal center, designed to concentrate all municipal agencies in one area—the four squares bounded by Pennsylvania avenue on the south, Indiana and Louisiana avenues on the north, Third street on the east and Sixth street on the west. With an initial appropriation of $3,000,000 for purchase of the four squares, a committee of District offi- cials has already acquired a large por- tion of the property, spending l’vmxi- mately $2,500,000. Estimates for the coming 1 year contain an item of $3,000,000 to complete the purchase, in addition to a provision for the develng; ment of plans for the buildings to located in the center. Noteworthy also among the achieve- ments during the year was the unpre- cedented record established by the surface division of the highway depart- ment in paving, resurfacing and other- wise improving about 33 miles of high- ways and suburban roads. Personnel Changes Few. Changes in personnel in all branches +THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1930. Col. William B. Ladue, Engincer Commis: missioner; (7) Danfel secrefary (9) Warren B. Hadley, (12) Harleigh H. Hartma harty, and markets; (20) Melv| tendent of police; (23) (39) Maj. Gen. Anton Si turers’ Associat! (1) Maj. Layson E. Atkins, Assistant Engineer Commissioner; sioner; (5) Maj. Donald A. Davison, (37) Charles W. S. Watson, fire chief; (32) Susie Root Rhod (34) Col. John W. Ochmann, building inspector; rr, president, Chamber of tephan, president Merchants & Manufacturers’ Association; ; (41)-Dr. Frank W. Ballou, superintendent of school Commerce; (38) Dorsey W. (2) Commissioner Proctor L. Dougherty; (3) Commissioner Sidney F. Taliaferro; (4) Lieut. Assistant Engineer Commissioner; (6) Capt. Hugh S. Oram, Assistant Engineer Com- to Board of Commissioners; (8) Capt. H. C. Whitehurst, chief engineer and co-ordinator of Engineer Department: ical engineer; (10) Willlam H. Harland, traffic direcfor; (11) Maj. Gen. Mason M. Patrick, chairman, Public Utilities Commission: vice chairman Public Utilities Commission; (13) Earl V. Fisher, executive secretary Public Utilities Commission; Dpeople’s counsel before Public Utilities Commission; (15) Willlam W. Bride, corporation counsel; (16) Roland M. Brennan, ment; (17) Albert L. Harris, municipal architect; (18) George S. Wilson, director of public welfare; (19) George M. Roberts; C. Hazen, District surveyor: (21) Maj, Henry G. Pratt, superintendent of police; (22) rmer Policeman Robert precinct; (26) William P. Richards, tax assessor; ent of licenses; (30) Dr. William C. Fowler, health officer; (31) George ment; (33) J. B. Gordon, sanitary engineer; trell, executive secretary, Board of Trade; Inspector William S. Shelb; J. Allen; (24) Lieut. Edward J. Kelly, former chief of homicide squad; (25) Capt. (27) Chatham M. Towers, collector of taxes; (28) Daniel J. Donovan, auditor; (29) Wade Coombs, superintend- es, supervisor Municipal Playground Depart- (35) E. J. Murphy, president, Board of Trade; (36) Robert J. Cot- . Hyde, executive secretary Chamber of Com- (40) Edward D. Shaw, executive secretary Merchants & Manufac- (42) Dr. Clark F. Carusi, president Board of Education. (14) Ralph B. Fle- chief clerk Engineer Depart- saperintendent of weights, measures y, assistant superin- Robert E. Doyle of the eighth ARRESTS IN 1929 ESTABLISHRECORD of the District government were com- paratively few in 1920. The Board of rs, composed of Proctor L. Dougherty, Sidney F. ‘Taliaferro and Col. William B. Ladue, remained intact throughout the year. The terms of Commissioners Dougherty and Talla- ferro expire in February, however. ‘The pmmé;u changes were in the engineering department and the cor- poration counsel's office. Capt. Hugh Oram of the Engineer Corps came into the District service as an Assistant En- gineer Commissioner to fill a vacancy created by the appointment of t. H. C. Whitehurst as chief engineer and co-ordinator of the engineering de- partment, & new position in the Dis- trict government. In the corporation | counsel’s office, Ringgold Hart, principal | assistant to Corporation Counsel Wil- llam W. Bride, resigned to resume his private practice of law and was peplaced by Vernon L. West, a prominent Wash- ington attorney. among_the 15 retirements was that of | Louis B. Seib, fire marshal. His suc- | cessor Temains to be selected. The ad- | vancement of Fran Chinn, O. A. Becker | |and F. M. Edwards from lieutenants to | captains constituted the most impor- | tant promotions. New apparatus added to the depart- Total Is 126,331, Increase of 13,519 Over 1928—81 Traffic Deaths. Arrests in 1929 set & new record in the Police Department. Since January 1 a total of 126,331 arrests were made, as compared with 112,812 for 1928, or an increase of 13,519. Of these, 46 were for murder, an increase of two over last year, and more than 13,604 for intoxication and 856 for housebreaking. ‘There were 81 deaths resulting from traffic accidents, 105 suicides and 123 | accidental deaths. Police vice and liquor squads seized a total of approximately 26,050 gallons of liquor, of which about 6290 quarts were alcohol, 1,409 quarts gin, 97,092 quarts whisky, 16,567 bottles beer, 27,- 029 gallons of mash and 582 motor vehicles were seized. Sergt. O. J. Letterman and his spe- clal vice squad approximated 528 raids, in which about 1020 persons were arrested on various liquor law and vice violations. The squad individually seized about 25,000 quarts of liquor, un- covered 12 stills and confiscated more than 30 automobiles. Four Policemen Killed, ment’s equipment included a motor | pumper, & motor aserial truck and a | motor rescue wagon. Inspections of hotels, theaters, apartment houses and | other large buildings totaled 89.826. Reports of Chief George 8. Watson disclosed the following activities during the year: | Janudyy—Box alarms, 217; local alarms, 313; false alarms, 37; muitiple | alarms, 6; losses, $455,611. February—Box alarms, alarms, 251; false alarms, | alarms, 6; losses, $219,103. | " March—Box alarms, 175; _local | alarms, 359; false alarms, 1; losses, | 27,908. | $28,175 Losses in April. April—Box alarms, 121; local alarms, 243; falss alarms, 32; multiple alarms, | 1: iosses. $28,175. | |~ 'May—Box alarms, 106; local alarms, {173; false alarms, 20; Ik 17,4 | June—Box alarms, 1 197; false alarms, 2 {1; losses. $15,48! | July—Box alarms, 1 | 204: false alarms, 25; 140; local | 20; multiple | | 13; local alarms, multiple 2; losses, $38,909. August—Box alarms, 125; rms, 235; false rms. 20; multiple 4: losses, $103,558. Sep! Box alarms, 114; local | alarms, 185; false alarms, 36; muitiple | alarms, 2 iosses, $52,111. October—Box alarms, 124; lccal | alarms, 211; false alarms, 29; multiple | alarms. 1; losses, $24,263. November—Box alarms, 139; local alarms, 246; false alarms, 36; multiple | mobile at Seventh strect and New local | During the vear four policemen were killed in the line of duty. Policeman John F. McAuliffe of the seventh precinct was shot and fatally wounded when he answered an emer- gency call in a house in Georgetown. Policeman Harry J. McDonald of the third precinct died from gunshot wounds received at the hands of a col- ored bandit whom he was attempting to place under arrest after capturing him in the vicinity of Seventeenth and Q streets. Policeman Willlam 8. Buchanan of the tenth precinct died from injuries suffered when he crashed into an auto- Hampshire avenue while answering a call. | Trafic Policeman Ross H. Taylor of the Traffic Bureau was killed almost instantly when his motor cycle crashed {into a street car near Stanton Park | while he was pursuing a suspected rum car. Five Others Die During Year. ‘Two other policemen died under cir- cumstances neither in the line of duty | ner from natural causes. Merger negotiations, the car fare case, the new Public Utllities Commission members and the passage of the Wash- ington .Gas Light Co. into foreign own- ership—these are the things that have held the spotlight in the fleld of pub- lic utility news in Washington during 1929. ‘When the year began a subcommittee studying & plan for merging the two street railway companies, drawn up by Harley P. Wilson and ratified by the two companies. On January 9'the subcommittee sent this plan back to the companies with instructions to have it rewritten, leav- ing out the $50,000,000 valuation clause, It came back from conference January 16, but Senator Bldine, Republican, of ‘Wisconsin delayed acceptance of the re- port because he wanted to add certain amendments to the merger plan. A week later the Senate subcommittee ordered a favorable report on the Wil- son merger plan as modified by certain suggestions of Dr. Milo R. Maltble, a New York expert retained to aid the committee. Blaine demanded that a clause be written into the merger act insisting that the valuations of the merged properties in the future be made on the ‘“prudent investment” basis. Many citizens supported this amend- by the subcommittee January 31. Blaine Kills Merger. ‘The full committee sent & majority report favorable to the Maltble plan to the Senate on hbl’\llfl 5, and Repre- sentative Zihiman of Maryland, chair- man of the House District committee, introduced an identical bill in the House the next day. But on February 20 Senator Blaine filed a minority report insisting on the ‘“prudent investment” theory of revaluing, and later gave notice of his intention to debate the matter on the floor if it should be brought up. The calendar was so crowd- ed at this time, with adjournment only 12 days off, that the gesture effectively killed the Wilson - Maltbie - Senate merger. On April 11 the board of directors of the Capitel Traction Co. authorized its executive committee to potition the commission for an increas: in fares to An application for this scale had been previously made, but was tentatively | withdrawn pending merger negotiations, on an understanding with the commis- |ston that.it could be renewed should the merger fail. The second petition was filed June 13, Personnel Changes. In the meantime the personnel of the commission had changed. On April 28 John W. Childress tendered his resig- | Detective Sergt. Chgrles 8. Mont- gomery, attached to the police hea | Quarters prnperg room, shot and killed himself in the District Bullding. Policeman Edgar P. Alexander, who had been assigned to the fouricenth precinct, was killed when the auto- mobile in which he was returning to this city from Maryland left the road end struck a tclegraph pole. alarms, 4; losses, $82,290. December—Box alarms, 194; local | alarms, 282: false alarms, 51; multiple alarms, 1; losses, $140,347. died from natural causes. The year saw 71 separations either by resignation or dismissal and 75 new appointments. Py | Thres other members of the force nation, which became effective May 31. revious to that the Senate, by ad- journing without confirming the re- | ncmination of Lieut. Col. Hai n | Brand, jr., had removed him from the | commission. On May 9 President | Hoover nominated Harleigh H. Hart- man, a utilitles lawyer of wide expeM- ence, to replace Mr. Childress, and on May 14 he named Maj. Gen. Mason M. Patrick, U. 8. A, retired, who had a distinguishad career.in the Army, which culminated in his becoming ehief of the Army Alr Corps, to replace Col. Brand. of the Senate District committee was | Jor ment at & second public hearing held | 10 cents cash, four tickets for 30 cents. | Public Utilities Commission Both appointments were confirmed May 28, On July 20 public utility hearings were started on the Capital Traction Co.’s petition for increase in fares. The other street rallway lines in the city and eventually the Washington Rapid Transit Co. were made parties to case. The conduct of this case was a startling innovation in Washington and a profound shock to the utilities law- . commission took an_active d from the outset and, led by Mr. Hartman, who gppeml away with questions from his now famous “little black book,” put all company witnesses through severe examinations. On October 15, after the close of the public hearings, the commission ordered the companies to set up a uniform sys- tem of accounting, owing to the wide divergences that had been bared at the public hearings. On November 13 the increased fare was denied on the ground that the com- panies had not met their burden of proof, but the case was not closed and the companies were left free to bring in further evidence as to valuation if theg chose. They elected not to do this and brought suit in Equity Court for an injunction to compel the commis- sion to raise the fares. This suit is still pending. ‘ Klotz Forced to Quit. One of the incidents of the fare raise application was that soon after it had been received Capt. R. G. Klotz, the engineer of the commission, wrote a letter to People's Counsel Ralph B. Fleharty suggesting that the companies be given a higher rate even than that which they had asked. The commis- sion considered this conduct reprehensi- ble and asked for Capt. Klotz's resigna- tion. He was succeeded as engineer by Walter H. Dunlap. One remaining change in personnel is to take place January 15, when Fleharty's resigna- tion becomes effective. On December 7, shortly before the companies filed suit for their increased fare, commission sent up to Con- ess and yecommended for enactment ts own merger plan, similar in many respects to the one produced at the car fare hearings. Forelgn Group Buys In. The year witnessed the passing of control in the Washington Gas Light Co., together with its subsidiary, the QGeorgetown Gas Light Co, from Washington hands, in whose owner- ship it had remained since the com- nies were founded in 1848. Wash- ington was startled on_January 19 by the purchase by D. A. Pearson of 7,000 shares of the company's stock at 125, par being 20. Pearson was elected a director of the company on February 4, along with W. Preston Gatley and ‘Wilton J. Lambert, representing other New York interests, and control finally passed to the foreign group on June 14, most of the stock changing hands at $125 a share. The question of compulsory insurance for taxicabs hes been under discussion much of the time throughout the year. | on December 20 this taik bore fruit in an order by the commission for far- reaching regulations of the public trans- portation system in Washington, in- cluding compulsory insurance for taxi- cabs or other showing of their financial responsibility by their owners. t - parcels of land to the Office of Public CITY PARK SYSTEM. EXPANDED IN 1929 Patterson Tract Acquired, Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Improved. Lieut. Col. U. S. Grant 3d, director of Public Buildings and Public Parks, viewed the ending of 1920 with the knowledge that the year has brought an expansion to Washington's far-flung park system and that playground and recreational facilities have grown to keep pace with a rapidly-increasing metropolitan population. ‘The acquisition of the Patterson tract, the improvement of the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway between the National Zoological Park and Massachusetts ave- nue, relieving the traffic situation along Connecticut avenue, and the turn- ing over by the United States Engineer Office, under Maj. Brehon Somervell, District engineer for the War Depart- ment, for the Washington area, of sec- tions Eand F, south of Benning Bridge, | for the new Anacostia Park, have caused | the park system to expand appreciably. Some 18 reservations have been im- proved, adding to adjacent real estate | property values in various parts of the | city, after the District Commissioners have turned over thess odd-shaped Bulldings and Public Parks. Bingham drive in Rock Creek Park | has been entirely reconstructed and the | park roads in general have been treated to lay the Summer dust and improve driving conditions all around. Athletic Fields Laid Out. A new boat house on the edge of the Tidal Basin has been put in commis- sion and new tennis courts, foot ball gridirons and base bell diamonds have been lald out, providing recreational facilities for parts of the city that have hitherto been without them. The Me- Kinley swimming pool has been opened, glving the white residents of the city public bathing facilities for the first time since the bathing beaches were abolished. Night tennis playing was available during the warm weather, for the first time, and plans were laid during the latter part of the year for the minfa-| ture golf course to be set up by the| Welfare and Recreational Association | of Public Buildings and Grounds, Inc.| A program for 40 new cabins at the tourist camp was initiated and the camp witnessed the setting of a new high record for visiting motorists. Golf Course Improved. The Rock Creek golf course was im- proved and plans were made for laying | out edditional golfing facilities inthe new Anacostia Park. Further improvement of Meridian Hill Park in the thickly-populated area bounded by Florida avenue and Six- teenth street went forward during the year, The statue of President Bu- chanan was placed In the east end of the park and preparations were mads for ‘unvelling i Boving, g this memorial in OPTIMISM 1S WATCH-WORD INSCHOOL ADMINISTRATION Feeling Is Born of Generous Budget, Both From Standpoint of Funds and Constructive Pol PTIMISM is the watchword in the public school administra- O tion offices at the Franklin Building today as 1929 ends. It is an optimism born of the | most generous school budget ever sub- | mitted to Congress, both from the stand- point of the funds it seeks and the con- structive policies it anticipates. But it is an optimism which blankets too thinly a deep concern over the fact that 1929 has closed without recording the relief of school congestion, which the five- year school building program was to have provided by this time. School authorities have gone afield in search of new educational progress for Caplital children. Some of the proj- ects they sought plished, others merely have been launched or anticipated, but nevertheless are fitting entries in the asset column of the school system's 1929 ledger. Against these entries, however, are the pessimistic facts of the kind that are written in red ink in another column of the yearbook. There are today, for instance, 71 one-room, frame, portable school buildings in active use. Five years ago there were only five more. ‘Today there are 95 part-time classes in the schools. Five years ago ‘were 127 such classes. Construction Brings Rellef. Construction now underway from starts made during the year just end- ing, however, will provide some relief for the ills of the system, and so 1929 may lay just claim to a share in the future developments. The present year, for instance, may point with pride to the policy carried in the 1931 budget of erecting four-room permanent school units instead of walting until there are sufficient children in a community to warrant the construction of an eight- room school. It may point also to studies and proposals made during the past 12 months, leading to the use of busses to transport children of outlying sections to already established school buildings. And perhaps, best of all, it may call attention to the public senti- ment in favor of more generous treat- ment of the city’s schools, which 1929 saw rise from a mild, almost apathetic interest in school congestion to a strong public condemnation of the lack of facilities which confront Washington's children. Dr. Charles F. Carusl, president of the Board of Education, was largely responsible for the focusing of public attention upon the schools. Late in 1928 he addressed himself to the citizenry at large, asking whether it ap- proved the allocation of one-third of the total District revenues to school purposes, and whether~it belleved the school board estimates should be sub- mitted as prepared directly to the Bureau of the Budget with such recom. mendations as the District Commis- sioners may wish to make in view of other District needs. These questions were holding the limelight when 1929 began and the answers were practically 100 per cent in support of Dr. Carusi’s proposals. Dr. Ballou Aids Work. ‘The impetus given public opinion as it regards schools by Dr. Carusi was carried on by Dr. Frank W. Ballou, superintendent, when the latter offcial, concerned over the safety of Washing- ton’s children in portable schools, asked the board to have each and every portable inspected. Dr. Ballou's request was inspired by two instances of wind damage to portable schools which, but for a freak of chance, might have taken a toll of child lives. The public quickly took up the bludgeon and a cry arose against the continued use of portables. The four-room permanent building units which are provided by the Budget Bureau in the 1931 estimates, and the bus-transportation proposal are direct results of this public condemnation of the flimsy and too-old portables. Nineteen hundred twenty-nine may point, t0o, to the new building programs Which have been presented to Congress. The Board of Education prepared a second five-year school building bill calling for the authorization of approx- imately $6,000,000 worth of new build- ing projects. To this would be added the approximately $5,000,000 worth of items left over from the first building program, making virtually a new $11,- 000,000 program. Representative Robert Simmons of Nebraska, who during the last month of 1929 has become known as a critical but zealous judge of Wash- ington's school system, also drew up a school bullding program bill. He would spend another $10,000,000 on schools, but, as he prepared his original bill, he would have repealed all outstanding items of the original bill. This feature was attacked by the school board and Wwhen its significance was outlined to Mr. Simmons, he subsequently amended his bill to overcome this objection. At present, much of the ogpollthn to Mr. Simmons’ bill seems to have been with- drawn. Between the two bills, however, ‘Washington schools can hardly do less than benefit. Dr. Carusl Answers Capper. Senator Capper, chairman of the Senate District committee, drew atten- tion to the faflure of the original five- year building program, when in October he requested Dr. Carusi to state frankly what he believed to be the cause. The school board president framed a reply in which he asserted that the program falled because $4,000,000 a year was not .ppm,i;mud for buildings and grounds. Mr. Simmons recently delivered an ad- dress on the floor of the House of Representatives in which he answered Dr, Carusi with tart replies, which drew into the controversy that followed the municipal architect and the Park and Planning Commission, The controversy still is unsettled so far as its purpose of establishing blame for the failure of the program is concerned, but it further promoted public interest in District school affairs. The past year was marked also by the school board’s adherence to its new policy of refusing to cut its estimates at the request of the District of Colum- bla Commissioners. When it prepared its estimates for 1931, the board invited Mr. Simmons to sit with it to hear its discussions. Mr. Simmons subsequently refused in terse terms and later, when the Commissioners asked the board to sit in on its deliberations on the Dis- trict budget, particularly as it pertained to schools, the board refused. Dr. Ballou, however, was instructed to attend the conference in an “informative” capacity. Among the program achievements in the school system would be recordsd first, the establishment of four-year teachers’ colleges upon the foundation of the original normal schools. The first-year classes which enrolled in the Wilson and Miner Colleges last Sep- tember were the first freshman groups to enter the new institutions. Enlarge Character Education. ‘The Board of Education also under- took during the last two months of the | year to inaugurate plans for the ¢n- | largement of character education in | Washington schools. A committee of | school officers and teachers was ap- pointed two weeks ago to consider methods of elaborating upon the pres- ent character training in the schools, and Dr., Carusi now is engaged in ths appeintment of a citizens’ advisory ] icies Anticipated. committee to work with the school officers. Similarly, the school board now is in the midst of framing an enlarged program of vocetional education for the District. The Washington Central Labor Union brought att:ntion to the inadequacies of the present curriculum and facilities, and Dr. Carusi named a committee of 13 persons to work out & new me for this type of instruc- tion. Its report will be made within the next three months, probably, Nineteen hundred and twenty-nine will be remembered as the year which gave to the District public school s; tem its first “business ) t ave been accom- lassistant superintendent of schools in charge of buildings and grounds is popularly known is somewhat of a mis- nomer, that at least is the description accorded to the new position by mem- bers of Congress who proposed its cre- ation. The schools already had, and still have, a “business manager” in Maj. R. O. Wilmarth. Jere J. Crane is the first assistant superintendent in charge of buildings and grounds, and he was appointed to that office May 2. Before his school appointment, Mr. Crane was an architect in the Treas- ury Department, and prior to that posi- tion he had extensive experience in the direction of buildings and equipment, which has made him a valuable asset to the school staff. Crane Cuts Red Tape. Mr. Crane's associates, without single exception, are voluble in their praise of the work which he is accomplish- ing. According to Dr. Ballou, Mr. Crane has managed to cut through much red tape, taking almost unique courses to attain an end, basing his action upon the determination to “get things done.” The position he holds was created as one of “co-ordination,” so that, assembling all the school needs in the fleld of buildings, grounds and equipment, he would act as the school system's single representative in deal- ing with the various District building offices with which the school officials have business. That is the work he has been accomplishing since his in- stallation in office June 1. ‘The free textbook bill which is on the very brink of passage at the cur- rent session of Congress, fared sadly during the last regular session of Con- gress early in 1929. Framed and pro- goud by the Board of Education, the il was pushed by the board members under the guidance of Henry L. Gilli~ gan, chairman of the board’s commit- tee on legislation. Passing the House of Representatives, the bill failed in the Senate solely because of Senator Heflin's insistence that it be amended to include a clause specifying that nothing advocating union of church and state be taught in the public schools. ~Mr. Heflin'’s insistence pre- vailed despite the massed visit of & group of parents and teachers who appealed to him to withdraw his amendment and despite the fact that the school thor declared that no such material as that to which the Senator objected was being taught. ‘The Senate this session, however, has the bill and the House Dis- trict committee has reported favorably upon it. As the year 1929 closes, it seems certain of enactment, Two Students Suspended. A rebiew of the year from the stand- point of the schools shculd include mention of the suspension of two Cen- tral High School students for “falsifi cation” in connection with their mem- bership in an unapproved fraternity. The case of the two boys was submerg- ed almost from the start by a review of the general question of fraternities which the suspensions inspired. Mr. Gilligan sought to lift the present ban on such organizations, and, failing that, to eliminate the current practice of requiring all high scheol students to sign pledge cards testifying to the fact that they are not members of “unap- | proved organizations.” The latter pro- | posal failed also. The suspension of the two bo; brought forth a proposed change in the school board rul-s which provided that diplomas be withheld from stu- dents ¥uuty of certain offenses which formerly were punishable by suspension. The offenses included—besides “falsi~ fication"—immoral conduct, inted opposition to authority, uncleanly con- ition of person of clothing, and habit- ual tardiness. The reference to “un- cleanly condition of person or cloth- ing” brought about public condemna~ tkm'_of the proposal as the “dirty neck rule” and the measure was defeated. It was defeated, however, not before character education was brought to the fore as a definite part of public ac;xgol cur;ln;lum. was during 1929 that the school board, at the recommendation of the superintendent, lengthened the high school day by half an hour. Prior to the change senfor high school pupils attended classes from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., while now they are not dismissed until 3 pm. The year was marked by at least one serious “row” between the school suthorities and pupils’ parents. When the school officers attempted to en- force the rule requiring children to at- tend the school in whose district their homes are located, by transferring a group of puplls from the Park View chool to the Monroe School, the parents to the affected children re- belled against the edict by holding their children out of school entirely, The “rebellion” lasted two weeks and was finally ended when the school board permitted the children in the platooned classes at the Park View Building to remain in that building. As this com- promise allowed a majority of the children to remain, the back of the re- bellion was broken in short crder and the remainder of the children sub- mitted to the transfer. School for Crippled Children. The two schools for crippled children were opened in the Weightman and Ma- gruder Buildings November 1 of this year. The former school is for white gupllx and the latter is for colored chil- ren. Foremost among the school system deaths of the year was that of {luvm W. Miller, principal of Central, who succumbed to the bite of a pet cat May 19, fellowing an illness of more than two weeks. Harvey W. Smith, former superin- tendent of schools at Milville, N. J., was named the new principel of Central on June 5 and he was installed in office five days later. During the year Dr. Carusi, Mrs. Mary A. McNeil and Mr. Gilligan were reappointed to the Board of Education. The year's largest single bullding advance was the completion and open- ing of the new McKinley High School at Second and T streets northeast, After vears of congestion in the old “McKin- ley Manual Training School” structure at Seventh street and Rhode Island avenue, Tech changed its name and spread out in one of the most magnifi- cent school buildings in the East. The opening of the school, however, was marred by the delayed delivery of cer~ tain equipment including laboratery and shop facillties and the cafeterin furniture. After delay which extended until last April, the difiiculties were smoothed out, the eguipment was in- stalled and the McKinley High Scheol settled down to business. Construction of the bullding’s new stadium is under way as the year ends.