New-York tribune., 1901-05-20
SCHOOLS TOO FEW AND COSTLY.

The discussion at Fridays meeting of the
Board of Estimate and ApportiOnment of de-
mand from Brooklyn for more schools did not
lead 10 any definite result. except reference
of the question TO the Controller, but it sug-
gested some interesting reflections. The basis
of the application was the assertion of the
Brooklyn School Board that there are $4,000
children in that borough who are attending half
time classes, and that several thousand more
are unable to get into school at all, while the
crowdng in many instances is extreme. Seven
new buildings will be opened next fall. and
thus the pressure will be considerably dimin-
ished. hut il is certain that even then there will
not be nearly room enough. and the school pop
ulation Is. of course. rapidly increasing The
Mayor did not appear hopeful that the de-
ficiency would soon be supplied, because of the
debt limit and the necessity for other municipal
improvements. including a tunnel 10 Brooklyn
and il does not seem probable that the Con-
troller will be able TO solve the problem. The
same difficulty has long existed here in Man
haitian, and there is no satisfactory assurance
that il will shortly be removed.
A main cause of the lack Of school accommo-
dations which has been sharply brought 70
public attention at frequent intervals during
the last few years is the shameful neglect of
Much was done 10 improve the situation under
Mayor Strong and the work has been contin-
ued under Mayor Van Wyck. but the long ac
cumulating deficit a heavy burden. 1t is
officially pointed out that another trouble has
been the excessive cost of the new buildings
put up recently. That mistake Of policy is
alleged particularly in respect 10 Brooklyn, but
have no doubt that il has been made to at
least an equal extent on this side of the East
River. 1t said on the authority of the Con
troller that in Brooklyn the cost of the new
buildings has averaged $1,000 a classroom. but
that il could be cut down 10 $1,000 by economies
which would not he really disadvantageous to
teachers or pupils. We have no means Of form
ing a precise judgment as to these financial
facts and possibilities. but general information
concerning school construction and equipment
justifies belief that a great amount of money
has been improvidently spent.
There is probably no other municipal expendi-
ture so important that which is required for
school purposes. The need of popular education
is fundamental and imperative. II is indispu-
table also that schools should he put where they
are wanted-that is should be suitably dis
tributed; that they should be commodious.
thoroughly protected against the danger of fire.
conveniently furnished and supplied with all
I
thermore that their form and finish should be
Of such character as 10 develop and crafty a
sound taste, for ugliness is demoralzing. But
they do not need 10 be elaborate and ornate.
On the contrary. they ought 10 exemplify the
great virtue Of simplicity, which does not
clude but tends rather TO imply fitness Too
much money has likewise been spent for sites.
partly owing 10 the faults of the process by
which they are acquired, and there is reason 10
fear that there has been good deal Of dis
honesty in the business besides. But that is
not point We care to press just now. The
criticism we would urge is that large appropri-
ations might have been made 10 go much fur
ther if they had been more wisely applied. 1t
is not improbable that for every two new school
houses which the city actually possesses we
might have had three quite as well adapted to
their purposes in all essential particulars.