New-York tribune., 1896-11-29
SLOW WORK ON SCHOOLS.
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PROBING
INTO CAUSES OF DELAY.

SCOPE AND PURPOSE or MR. rAT-r's RESOLUTION
A TALK WITH TIE INTRoDUcER or IT.
HOW THE TIME REQUIRED TO BUILD
scnooLHousEs MAY BE
CUT DOWN.
There arc encouraging indications of a deter
mined purpose in the minds OF members OF tho
Board Of Education. especially of some OF the
newer members. to cut down tho time required for
the erection Of new schoolhouscs. or. at any rate
TO find out whether 1t Is is not possible TO reduce
II. To this end 1t H. expected that a thorough In
vestigation will be set on foot to learn tho
causes OF delay and when that has been done tho
next step In order will be TO remove them. II any
way is found by which this desirable end can bo
accomplished. 1t IS expected. with reason. that
this movement will have the support OF the Board
a whole. II not at present at any rate when
tho members take their seats at tho beginning
OF next year. after which time tho progressive ele-
mcnt Will be in undispued control.
As matter OF fact. the work Of getting rid OK
one of the things that havc been particularly pro-
ductive OF delay in this matter has already been
taken in hand. AZ tho meeting OF the Board OF
Education Wednesday OF this week an opinion
will probably be presented from Corporation Coun-
sci Scott In TO a resolution introduced Mt
the last meeting by Henry w. Taft who was ap-
pointed n School Commissioner by Mayor Strong
a
and power OF thought. takes deep interest in
evcrvthing connected with the system OF public
education in this city. and his attention has been
particularly arrested by the large amount OF timo
consumed by the condemnation proceedings that
occur In connection with tho acquisition of sites for
now school buildings
MR. TAFTS NEW DEPARTURE.
Believing that thero might be a chance TO save
several months tirnc in tho building of school
house no brought In resolution requesting tho
opinion OF the Corporation Counsel on tho question
whether there was anything in tho State or Fed
eral Constitution that would prevent the Board OF
Education from taking possession OF property
needed FOR school purposes at tho beginning OF pro-
ceedngs condemn II. rather than when they
were finished. provided the city made deposit or
gave security FOR the amount claim ed by the own
ers II IS known that the Cooperation Counsel has
been considering tho mater. md an opinion from
him will probably be forthcoming on Wednesday.
II IS possible that II VIII be found necessary to
have n special law enacted 70 accomplish III" pur-
pose had view by tho proposer o, tho resolution
AT any rate there nre certain difficulties in tho
way OF carrying out the plan. and certain contin-
gencics be provided FOR to protect tho interests
OF the city ard these points need 10 bc carefully
considered. For example. after proceedings 10
condemn certain properly had been Instituted u
might be deemed wise to dnconiinue them IN
| such n case II would DO necessary 20 provide FOR
post Doubtless cases OF ;h.s nature would be rare.
but they would have 70 bo arranged for.
v!sl, was made 10 tho oflce o. Mr.. Taft. IN
| Ta-st.. few days ago. and his opinions were
| asked ns 10 what he hoped 70 accomplish through
III. measure originated iy him. Nr Tat; Is a law-
yer. with a clear-cu, and mas'erfui face; his eye
Is keen ana penetrating. and he creates th. I'm
preston 0, being a man who would 80 10 tho bottom
OF ANYTHING he set ont investigate. or know tho
reason why H.. talked freely regarding eiuci-
,.oral matters IN general, as well as ABOUT INC
particular matter brought 10 his attention. ana con-
fessed that, having been .r the Board only re"
weeks. he was IN the position o, learner. After
word or TWO regarding the genera! situation. the
need O, more schools. etc. Mr.. TAFT went on:
WHAT HE HOPES TO ACCOMPLISH
"In Introducing tho resolution 20 which you have
referred my purpose Was to find out whether !; Is
not pos ,!b,e this pOn. 20 save some time IN pro-
yidlng the city wish the schoolhouses which every
body knows /; needs The course proposed OF TAX
ing possession Of the property when the proceeding
70 condemn 1t are begun Instead OF "alihs iof 'nc"
20 be finished. Is sometimes pursued where property
IS wantei by a railroad or oth.r corporation. ant
/ sometimes the same thing has been done where
property Is needed for public purpose. what
an, seekiog IA the MON OF the Corporiton Coun
sI a, TO whether there are any objections 10 sucn
| course and II there objections 10 Sct th.H gu
OF the way even II Il SHOULD be necessary 10 pa
A speca. Bill on the subject Thai would be d sim
''"condcmnauon proceedings always take goo'
deal OF lime / suppose IL Is necessary tnat th'l
| shou,d In any ma ter whore a gpoi many pcup
are Interested I, Is difficult 20 accomplish ahy,nI
H. the commissioners conducting such pIoceeui''t'
who are always paid 10y the liy, are not, a. ~ ~.
law now stands entitled 20 their fees u they 90 no no
r. port 10 tho within six months. uniess IN Wtl
cour; extends their time In many cases y - ~. ~
nosslb,e 70 do the work IN six months. and on IN
Presentation OF the the court grants an exen
sion The commissioners may not he respohs,o 10.
for the delay at all, for every properiy-owhcr hf
a right 20 be heard. and so IL happens that u"
PROCEEDINGS may drag on for long time
SIX MONTHS OR YEAR MAY BE SAVED
"Now by taking the course sugges.. we shoui
aave at least six months In Amos; every case' an
in some cases probably more than year.
course Il would be necessary 10 make provision 10
dscontlnuing such proceedings. ard legislation ma
he needed for that, but after site had been Sc
| ,.,.d bv the Board OF Education and approved D
IN. Sinking Fund Commissioners, II Nou!t oc -, sst
n7itciv that circumstances would arise that wou
Ia fo n change Of mind In reference 10 IL; ihri
IS a case In point though where III - ~ -
70 Of .he existing schools. the trustees. now u
longer IN Office set out 10 condemn Idhu io' a
adalt onal playground. and II mas pee, lnousns ""
70 discontinue the proceedings lor sPrc.,, Pnoh c,
G. there would have to be provision ior such con
.!Why aro condemnation proceedings Sohsaue, h :
in caS"v was tSh'u y
i,," .woud there not be advantages IN buyi'i
ranar,iv outrght in some instances A., ~ =,
i"I'r rdo,btcdlv there would be. i'pleu III a.
,, 90 n'ticrs of this kind. where the city
Dut od III i ~ certain amount OF red tape seems
be necessary | am anxious TO usp'"So VIZ"