New-York tribune., 1896-11-28
Flood upon the courage which enabled him 10
crafty a creditable personal instinct.
TOO Much RED TAPE.

The Tribune has recently called attention TO
the slowness with which the work of building
schoolhouses in this city is carried on We are
glad 10 see Indications of a purpose on the part
of some of the members Of the Board OF Educa-
tion 10 probe into the causes Of the provoking
delays that occur and If possible, provide n
remedy for them Whether IN effective remedy
can be devised Is Il question yet to be deter
mined. TO an outsider 1t seems beyond douD'
that a large amount of needless red tape cnar-
acterizes the process of procuring sites ana
erecting buildings and II Is much to be hoped
that the facts will be ascertained and the public
Informed whether the delays are in whole or III
part remediahle Some Of the newer members
of the Board of Education are showing spe-
cial interest i'm this part of their work, anu we
are glad to believe that the Board. as wilole.
will do all that lies in its power to snip OIL the
red tape and hasten the erection OF the SCHOOL
houses that are so greatly needed. For n
variety of reasons it has. as rule. taken TWO
wears or more for a schOolhOuse to be Duil'
after authority to issue bonds for the purpose
has been secured. AT present the city Is III II
position to issue bonds 10 the amount OF more
than S6.OOO,OOO for the erection OF new school
houses. SO { may easily be supposed by the
unthinking that it will be only a little time De-
fore the great need of more school arrommodh-
tiops is fully met. That is mistaken idea IL
has taken much time to build schOolhouscs mere
in the past. and there is little evidence as YET
that the time is to be materially shortened.
But there are some encouraging signs. one
of the most hopeful Is the resolution introduced
mt the last meeting of the Board of Education
by one of the recently appointed members, MIR.
Taft He wishes TO secure the opinion OF the
CORPORATION Counsel Oh the question whether
II is not possible for the Board to obtain con-
troll of school sites when the condemnation pro-
ccedngs are begun rather than when they are
finished by giving security for the value OF the
nroperty as estimated by the owner. This
would he a great gain 1t would save six months
In almost every case. and in some cases year
or more Condemnation proceedings are pro-
verbally slow. and ii would appear reasonable
to make such an arrangement as Mr.. TAFT mas
Suggested. even II 1t be necessary to pass spe-
cial law to accomplish the end he has in view
Practically the same thing has been done i'll
other proceedings where property was to be
taken for public purposes. but in hardly any
other case can a more imperative reason be con
ceived of than when the city is anxious to pro-
vide scboolhouses for the benefit of thousands
u
In other things. too. il is to be hoped that the
erection of school buildings may be facilitated.
Three months Is certainly too long time FOR
the preparation of plans for such structure
and when the plans have been drawn they
should be approved by the proper officials with
the least possible delay Is 1t Idle TO expec'
contractors for public works TO make pe''er
time than they have been wont TO do! we
trust not Possibly some strong inducemeht 10
get their work completed. not merely on time.
but ahead of time when schooihouses are being
put up. might be advisable and produce the de-
sired effect AT all events. they should be held
strictly to the terms Of their agreements, ana
penalties should be sharply enforced in case OF
failure. The city of New-York is not only IN
pressing need of more schoolhouses. but 1t needs
TO have them built In the shortest practicable
time.