The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-14
Hudson" Answers Der
gems" Letter About the
New High School.
W =
WANTS SPACE AND AIR
Says Hudson City Section
Should Be Given
Something.

The weight to be given to the letter OF
Bergen" in Saturdays News" can be
readily determined by the following para
graph;-'If the choice lies between build
ing the new school on that rocky emf
hence (rocky' In more senses than one),
known as the Harrison property and
placing it in dangerous proximity to a
private school, far better would it be for
the private school to suffer than that the
school children of Jersey City should be
compelled to carry alpenstocks in order
to climb to the seat of learning" There
is one point advanced in it, however, that
seems so plausible thai some Importance
might be given to it by those persons
more familiar with the Alps than with
their own city; 1t is that the Harrison
site would require expensive blasting. 1
do not know on what this. statement is
based unless it is the way the rock crops
out all over Bergen. The answer to it
is apparent to any one who win take the
trouble to walk along Palisade avenue.
The city has been widening this street,
and it has been necessary to cut away
the elevation on an average of six feet
in depth, but in no place has any blasting
been required. But it is not desirable to
have a deep cellar, a building with the
first floor a few feet above the level
would present a more pleasing appearance
and also be more healthy.
There is no argument that can be adj
vanced in favor of any of the other sites,
which cannot either be urged more forci-
bly, in favor of the Harrison site or be
offset by some stronger one. The fol-
lowing are some of them
a. 1t is central so far as existing means
of communication are concerned. The
city is at present divided by two systems
Of transportation, the one controlling the
section north of Newark avenue from the
Hudson to the H~ackensack, the other
that south of it. This site can be reached
from all parts of the city for one fare
and, for those not on direct lines of cars,
on one transfer.
Place the school in any other section,
and the number of fares to be paid by
some will be increased, and also the
number of transfers required by others.
The matter of transfers is secondary only
to that Of fares. because every ransfer
causes delay and inconvenience, especial-
ly in stormy weather, when many ride
who would, at other times, walk. 1t GER
tainly is desirable that a site be chosen
with a view to avoiding, as much as pos
sible, the necessity for scholars standing
on street corners waiting for cars. AS it
is now, the present school cannot be
reached by many scholars from the
northern parts of the city on less than
two transfers. The Importance of this
is increased when one considers the con-
s~olidatien of the cities and towns IN Hud-
son county, an event not far distant.
ca The situation is the most slightly
offered. None of the other places COM
imands any prospect, they are shut in all
around by buildings or lots suitable for
building. This is the only one where this
is not possible; there will always be an
southerly, outlook that cannot be cut off,
affording q view unsurpassed in the en-
tire city, as well as the advantages of dr.
rect light and air. The depth of the
plot is such that the building can be
constructed at a distance from the street
which would add to its appearance and
remove it from the noises of the street.
The sites offered in Bergen are shallow.
That on Crescent avenue backs on a
small cul de sac.
81 The plot is such in size that it af-
fords opportunities for increase in the
school either by additions to the building
or by other buildings, which cannot be
lone on the other plots. 1t has been said
that this plot is not as large as is de-
sirable, and yet it is larger than the 9TH
ers, and what it lacks in quantity can
be easily made up by condemnation if the
owners will not sell. Moreover, there are
no buildings to speak of on the ground
to be bought only to be torn down.
The need for a large plot will be felt as
soon as Larger Jersey City, comes into
existence. Too much emphasis cannot be
given to the argument that the school
should be built in a plot at a distance
from it's boundaries. Jersey City is not
SO pressed for room that it is necessary
to build schools on the lot lines, a policy
heretofore FOLLOWED, any more than the
City Hall. AT the present time there is
they are all too cramped, built on the
warehouse and factory plan.
This particular plot is the one that sur
passes all the others in this respect. 1t
Is to be hoped that, wherever located, the
school will never be built so near the
street as "Hasbrouck's'' or mo. H." and
yet if it were located on Crescent ave-
nue., on any other line, it you'd lave an
%incongruous appearance.
1t may be added tina this street, like
many others in the city, has been spoiled
sible On the ground, SO that 1T is now