Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-07
MASS MEETING IS HELD
Erection of New High School Building is
Discussed,
ARGUMENTS FoRAND AGAINST PROPOSITION
Circular Issued showing TINT the ola
structure Has OutIiVcd Its Jsc-
fuIDess and should lie
Replaced,

Only a small number Of persons attended
the mass meeting held in the assembly room
of the High school yesterday afternoon
The building was thrown open at 1870 o'clock
TO permit all interested in the proposition
to issue bonds for the erection OF
new High school to inspect the building at
the top Of the hill and learn for themselves
whether new building was needed or not
At o'clock the meeting in the assembly
room was called to order by Prof. Hayden
Short talks were made by Members Sims
and Stewart OF the Board Of Education and
Superintendent Hayden. in which they
pointed out the inadequacy and disadvan
tsges of the present building and urged the
necessity for a new home for the High
school.
Mr.. Stewart said the report that he is
opposed to the erection OF a new building
is not true, on the contrary he is heartily
in favor Of 1t.
City Treasurer Brooks Reed spoke against
the proposition, basng his objections to the
the issuance of bonds on the grounds that
the taxes are already too high. He pooh
poohed the statements made that the ascent
of the hill and steps to the school was
injurious to the pupil.
William Moore of the school board was
present and had seat on the speakers
platform, but did not make any remarks
He is and has been for several years
ardently in favor of building a new high
school in more centrally located part Of
the city.
Those who are pushing the bond PROPOSE
tion have issued a circular showing the
need for a new building and thousand of
copies were distributed over the city yes
terday The circular shows how the en-
i l. IL IL
increased for the last ten years and gives
figures showing this increase will continue
1t then continues as follows:
THE old building has long ago ceased to
meet the needs of the school. Every nook
and corner are being used. Glasses are
even reciting in two rooms in the cellar,
with poor light, scanty heat and no Venti-
laton, a constant threat to the health and
life of the pupils.
at has been necessary to open room at
the Washington avenue building for the
class that was promoted February 6. These
pupils are crowded out of the High school
for lack of accommodations. Within the
next year it will be necessary to provide at
least three rooms for High school pupils
outside of the building.
Giving up rooms in ward school build
ing for High school pupils will necessitate
the GrectlOn OF new DullulHS lpE lue
graded schools. ward school building to
receive the overflow would be only a tenn
porary expedient at best. leaving the high
school problem as troublesome as ewes. As
the ward schools are now well provided for,
why not spend the money in the erection OF
High school building and so meet the real
need?
THE location Of the present building at
the head of fight of siXty-five steps, and
the only study room being on the third
floor, at the top of a narrow winding stair
case of sixty steps, running the
health of many of our students. Many pu-
pills have already been obliged 10 withdraw
from school upon physicians orders, and
many more will be compelled to do so, If the
school remains in its present location.
Upon investigation the board has learned
that it will probably cost more to bring the
present site down to grade than to purchase
new site properly located.
"Our present financial condition will war
rant modest expenditure for a high school
building. The proposition submitted to the
people to issue bonds in the amount Of $685.
600 will keep the bonded Indebtedness of
the district safely within the constitutional
limit
At the mass meeting called for o'clock
this afternoon at st. Johns English Luth-
eran church to consider the bond proposition
Drs Barstow, Thomes and Hanchett will
give their views as to the injury to the
health of the pupils forced to attend the
| present High school. 1t is urged that all
women and others interested in the question
| of a high school attend this meeting.