New-York tribune., 1896-12-06
WHAT CAUSES THE DELAYS?

PROBING THE REASONS FOR SLOW
WORK ON sCH0OLHOUsEs
SERIOUS TASK BEFORE THE SPECIAL CON-
MITTEE TO Pc NAMED BY PRESIDENT
MAcLAY-wHAT COMMISSIONER TAFT
sAYs-BUYING PROPERTY OUTRIGHT
BETTER THAN coYDEMSING IT.
The action Of the Board OF Education at It's meeting
on wednesday In unanimously adopting the resou-
tions offered by Commissioner TAFT In favor OF
investigation OF the causes Of delay in the erection Of
schoolhouses possesses unusual significance. This
is the opinion of those who are competent to Judge Of
the altitude taken by the Board I; Is noticeable
that not vote against the resolutions.
which provide for a special committee OF 1ve TO I'M
appointed by the president. ito consider and report
whether under the methods anI procedure In by
this Board and other officers ard departments Of the
city government there is any delay In the selection
acquisition and Improvement Of school sites which
may be avoided BY resolution bylaw Of this
board or by amendment OF existing laws" 1f such
delay Is found to eXs: the committee IL authorized
TO take measures to remedy It. either by preparing
the necessary resolutions bylaws by proposing
amendments to laws now tho statute book.
In connection with these resolutions special inter-
est attaches TO the opinion OF Corporation Counsel
Scott. presented In to tho resolution OF Mr.
Taft submitted at tho previous meeting. As has
boon explained In The Tribune. Mr.. Tnft's purpose
was to do away II possibc, with tho vexatious do
lays arising In connection with tho proceedings taken
to condemn property selected for schoohouse stcs
and no desired to &c. tho opinion OF the citys legal
adviser tho point whether there any oonsti-
tutional objections TO taking possession OF such
property at the beginning instead OF tho close Of con-
domination prooeednss His idea was that this might
be dons. provided tho city made q deposit gave
security for the amount claimed by the owners. Mr.
Scott held that deposit or bond would DO necessary
bu, thought It would no: BIO fair IN all to take
immediate possession. He advised tho Board that
TIE best to pursue would be to sock amend
ment TO the law providing tina. title to such property
should vest in tho city six months after the begin
ming OF condemnation proceedings.
II wifi be that II devolves upon the special
committee TO prepare such an amendment TO tho
law II II Is decided to be wise and necessary The
work Of the committee as whole will be Of the most
important character and grave duty rests on
President Maclay In selecting It's members. A thor
ough investigation IS demanded. and such inquiry
will require much time II 1t Is consc.entiously pur
sued. There Is feeling in some minds that at least
three OF tho members should be lawyers. both bc-
OF tho legal profession In tho habit Of
probing things and also because they are specially
skilled In removing obstacles in tho way OF accom-
p!shing desirable ends.
COMMISSIONER TAFT GRATiF1ED.
Commissioner Taft 10 naturally much pleased with
tho resul, OF tho effort no 10 making far as It has
gone hasten tho building OF tho schoohouses that
arc 80 sorely needed lie has desire to q
member OF tho proposed committee. as no fully
realizes the fact that good deal Of tmo will have
DO given TO the Investigation that is TO bs under
taken II was on this accoun, that no hcsita,ed some
what abou. Offering the resolutions: but II Is be-
lleved that he Will shrink from his duty he IL
called on 10 serve
To a representative OF Tho Tribune Mr TAT; said:
Tho work before tho committee. which President
Maclay Is 10 name Is a serious matter.
believe that tho committee. II II goes into tho
inquiry thoroughly will accomplish most .mpor;an.
results. | DO not know. OF course whether tho COM
mi.iee will hnd that tho delays can be obvlated TO
any considerable extent. but at least tho Board OF
Education Will be abe 10 show the public where the
delays and who is responsible for them. The
Board Is FOR the first time In position 10 deal
with this subjec; in the righ, way. think 1t will be
found that the responsible IN small
degree for tho things that have caused 30 much
complaint. Why. have learned Of one in which
Il less than six years 10 build scnoohouse
Many OF tho powers formerly exercised by tho
trustees have been cevoivcd the Board. and as
rs powers are greater than ever before so i,s
responsibility 10 groaier.
The resolutions empower tho committee TO mako
exhaustive investigation. not only regarding tho
Board OF Educations part IN tho matter, but also
GERS and departments OF tho city government
There have ! am informed. been some delays IN tho
Office OF the Controller. and tho Board OF Estimate
and Apportonment has not been as prompt In act
Ing these matters as / feel sure II might nave
been. Then. AT the suggestion OF Commissioner L,t-
tie the resolution amended by !nstructlng tho
committee TO inquire into the cost OF condemnation
proceedings and tho possibility OF reducing the
sanle. had no objection 10 that. though 90 NOT
believe there is much to be geined In that direc-
ton"
TO TAKE TITLE ~ SIX MONTHS.
what about taking possession OF elites without
waiting for the completion OF the proceedings 10
condemn them was asked.
The opinion OF the Corporation Counsel" replied
Mr.. Taft. 'or rather tho opinions. for no wrote
two made It clear that there is no constitutional
objection 10 doing this. TO the passage OF law
authorizing the Board TO take this course; but MI.
Scott thought 1t would not DO right In all cases to
take immediate possession a. II might be- Terous
his point Is well taken There VIII be no need
OF making deposit or giving security LOT & t.e P'op
erty, | AT first suggested. as the crerit oi t'ie
city Is ample security FOR the purpose. There 10 q
decision OF the United States Supreme Corr: cover
Ing that point and other decisions nave peei ren,
dered 10 inc same effect II Will he for tho specal
committee to decide whether special act on thls
presumably. in view OF tho Corporation Counsels
opinion. will be the power TO take tito to property
six months after the condemnation proceedings are
begun which il the time within which, by tho
present law. the Commlssioners must report to mo
court. and II their work Is aot completed ask Aor
an extension"
Even then there will be a considerable saving OF
time vii, there not?"
"Yes in many cases at all events. Condemna-
tion proceedings frequently take year or more.
aud are rarely II over. completed inside OF six
months So We shall probably gain several months
in nearly every case. ] think, too, that the Board
should 10 able 10 get the plans for a schoolhouso
perfected within these six months after the site
has been agreed on, and hope i will be possible for
us TO advertise for conditional bids so that tho con-
tract may be let Immediately after Title Is taken
PURCHASE INSTEAD OF CONDEMNATION.
would there not be an advantage in purchasing
property outright. instead OF condemnine TT"