New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-04
NO REGISTRATION FIGURES,
SUPERINTENDENT MAXWELL ESTIMATES
HALF TINE STUDENTS AT BETWEEN
THIRTY. THOUSAND AND FORTY
-,uoT-CAND
THOUSAND

40 official returns OF yesterdays registration of
new pupils in the public schools in this city have
been received at educational headquarters, and It
is not expected that such be estimated, even at
the close of the time allotted the entry of
name5-to-mor1ow noon. Dr.. William H Maxwell,
Superintendent of Schools. says he cannot. Of
course, this early date make any definite state
rnent as to the number Of children who will be
compelled attend half day classes this year, but
he thinks il probable that between thirty thousand
and forty thousand principally primary grades.
viii have TO be placed. AS a matter Of fact, he
said il would be some years before sufficient schools
fun class tuition.
Something like II per cent of last years enrol
nent were half time attendants and the increase
Of population gives small hope Of any decrease IN
the percentage. six new schools. with q seating
capacity OF elghty-two hundred will be opened on
September 6, but twice as many more are needed
II was expected that there would be available
new buildings CT the beginning OF this term. The
completion of Of the unfinished four is prom
Ised on the 18th Of the month, and the remaining
three are expected be opened in October, No
Ternber and December Ground is broken for
others, but their completion cannot possibly be IN
tine 10 relieve this years pressure In z number
of school buildings gyrnhasiuns and all available
vacancies have been turned into classrooms. But
even If the seven additional buildings for which
contracts nave been let were available the
problem would not be wholly solved.
Much Of this years congestion may be traced TO
the previous administrations contracts in
force, and the principle of making the best of
bad bargain, the work has been pushed as much
possible short OF ousting the present contrac-
tors. G B. J. Snyder. Superintendent of Buildings.
has formulated and submitted to the committee
bylaws and legislation suggestions for the
regulation Of future contracts whereby the time
limit may be readily enforced, and those trans
crossing it forfeit the right again furnish esti
for municipal work
OF the fifteen schools erected since 1894 not
been completed within less than three years usually
four five, after the purchase of the site In four
Of the Brooklyn schools there has this year been
unaccountable delay in the purchase of benches.
which made by the prisoners at Sing Sing and
FINISHED by the State Prison Board. 1t seems i'm
possible accurately fix the blame for anything IN
any department In each IL is vehementy ascribed
to lethargy in some other. and meanwhile the bald
fact remains that the school population of greater
New-York, and especially Manhattan, is most in
adequately, not 20 say neggently, provided for
AS to be expected. the schools in the more
populous districts of the city were beseged with
applicants for admission and transfers" yester-
day and even greater numbers anticipated to-
day. tomorrow and Monday, as the procrastina-
tion common 10 human nature and the long estab-
lished habit of waiting until the opening day will
proa bly, combine deter the majority from taking
advantage of this earlier opportunity The ante
term method registration is experiment Of Dr.
MaxwelI's, whereby he hopes TO reduce the labor
and confusion heretofore attendant the first few
DAVIS of the opening term, and which have proved
serious interruption to the school routine. But
seems doubtful If the end desired Will be accom-
plished except in very small part, until the
actual number of old pupils returning is ascer-
tanned. new applicants cannot be definitely placed
and the instructors whose vacations are shortened
by half a week consider the doubtful advantage
hardly worth its price
As the notices posted by the School Board did
not specifically state that only new and transfer
able pupils were TO apply Tor reglsuatlon cohStu.
erabl. time consumed IN eliminating the
numerous pupils Of previous years who presented
themselves The situation had to be explained
again and again old" pupils were fearful lest
their places were to be given ones, and
they themselves excluded from any fUrther Ak
tendance -, 49,. >, , --,...,
Board I knows where dey lives" was the threat
OF one youngster. who was told that registration
privileges were not for him, he attended last
use only been here years-dat amt nough.
Desc here brais is little, anyhow, lnulca tIiS
a number of primary applicants. and II required
educational asprant that his seat need not De sur
rendered 49,,
age had been waiting on the steps since shorty
after s o'clock and marched proudly in at the
head of the long procession, became Loudly anu
sive when first told that as they were last year =
prDite ihev need not register, and threatened 10
Inform Mayor Low and M Jerome of this new
est phase OF favoritisn1 Sns %4s , eVentLag
Of places for all her brood on next Monday.
Al one of the lower East Side schools there
were attendants and poncenlan keeprms
order" Al another several men and Two or three
women from tbe local board The applicants We're
made 10 stand in line long procession from
street Foo- uD the stairs or through the haii-
way - nc room in when stood the registration
desk 80: mans the Sufr"p.i.iouS effofta
nstf 10 gam ~ sanceo la't - .fF III -
nndged their way through the throne while pa
rents hodIv sweni out from their own places and
Htc Others nearer the head, only 10 be returned