New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-14
THE QUESTION OF LARGE scHooLHoUsEs

THE QUESTION OF LARGE sCHOOLHOUSES
J. AUGUSTUS JOHNSON TELLS WHY HE FAvoRs
THOSE SEATING 5000 or 5000 CHILDREN.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Tho public Is much indebted for your vau-
able series OF illustrated articles the public
schools OF Ncw-York.
The bright light OF publicity which you have
thus turned upon the defective buildings and their
demoralizing surroundings should greatly aid the
movement for school reform. ] very much hope
that you will open your columns to general dis
cussion OF such an important subject. which
touches alike the home lie and civic pride OF every
citizen.
In your editorial paragraph on the subject OF
public schools In the issue OF the 5th inst. you
approve the recommendation Of City Superin-
tendent Jasper that no schools should contain over
1900 children under the OF one principal. VIII
you kindly permit me to state my Views on that
subject?
IN THE contested DISTRICTS.
While II may be correct under ordinary circum-
stances. II will not. think hold good In the con-
gcsted districts on the East Side. Several school
buildings now contain from $500 to 1900 children.
ard still the accommodations nre inadequate. rs
appears from the fact that there are 80 900
unschooled children In the streets. on the East
Side there several overcrowded schools
within three blocks OF each other. They are stu
ated generally In the centre OF block. surrounded
by towering tenement house buildings either
sldo and In the immediate rear. by liquor saloons.
ana In some by nuisances such as pie bak-
cries. stables. sausage factories. etc. whose NAL
odorous emanations add to their unsantary condi-
tons Unless there are insuperable objections.
which have not vet been Indicated 1t would be
preferable to consolidate several schools In one
building upon entire block. In central location.
fronting on four streets with Interior court for
Fairgrounds light and ventilation. which should ac-
md aix nd oh Iron
With a central corridor extending around each
floor. and classrooms either side. there would
be opportunity to introduce all modern improve
ments In architecture sanitation and classroom ar
rangement and furnishing. which would constitute
a vast Improvement and furnish object LESSON
| both as to beauty and convenience that would
place New-York. where II should stand In the
front rank In Its provision for Its school popua-
| ton. The advantages OF such protection from
nuisances and contag on- breeding tenement hous
are too obvious to need further statement. 1t re-
mains to consider possible objections. There can
be no question to accessibility In such crowded
| districts To avoid confusion there might be q
| scparate entrance upon each OF the four streets
| To meet tho objection OF the Superintendent. the
| 5000 children thus accommodated might be divided
into three or four separate schools, each occupying
| an entire front. and under the contro. OF vice.
principal who should report to n chief having SUI
| pervison OF the four schools.
PRECEDENTS FOR LARGE BODIES.
| In the matter Of organization we find In the
Army and Navy precedents for placing COM
| paratively small body OF men under a captain or
colonel. and union Of regiments or ships under a
| brigadicr commodore: and small cities and large
Municipalities are alike governed by a mayor and
| council. Why. then. should school be limited to
| 1000 children? There would certainly be greater
| advantages In the matter Of classification and In
| the grading OF scholars In a large establishment.
While this feature OF consolidating schools In one
| building may be applicable at this time only to
the most congested districts. other districts In al
| probability will continue to become moro and more
| densely populated In such sort that similar con
| soiidation may there be found desirable. The fact
] that there are now three department schools II