The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1902-03-08
TALKED TO FAcAN
Grand Jury Impresses Upon
Him DeplorabIe Condi-
ton of Schools.
COULD OFFER NO SOLUTION
Mayor Favored Improvement
But Gould Suggest No
Plan of Relief.
LEGISLATION NEEDED
Chief Magistrate Does Not
Believe Any of the City
Boards Is Corrupt.
LEGISLATION NEEDED

The members of the Grand Jury for two
hours yesterday afternoon talked to
Mayor Mark Pagan, and as "a result 1t is
believed he learned considerable about the
Public Schools. He was told of the dis
graceful unsanitary and overcrowded
condition of the High School; how over
2000 children without regard to health or
comfort were packed into Public School
No. at Central and st. Paups avenues
how the assembly rooms, the cloak rooms
and even the miserably ventilated garret
of that building had to be pressed into
service as class roows to meet the de-
mands of the parents of the lower Hud-
son City section whose children were en-
titled to common school educauon at
the public expense, and lastly how the
antiouated structure on Bergen Square,
called Public School No. II, had outhved
its usefulness, was rapidly falling to de-
cav and was a menace to the lives as well
as the health of the children obliged to
attend there.
Mayor Pagan heard all these things
and nrore-but could offer no reasonable
solution of the problem how the condi-
tions, which he was obliged to admit ex-
listed, could be remedied. He did not
suggest. but it must have. occurred to him,
that the need of more and proper ac-
commodations for school children was
much more pressing than the need Of
some of the visionary schemes he has ad-
vocated and others to bring about which
he is seeking legislative aid.
Mayor Pagan was summoned before the
Grand Jury as a witness to learn what
a f5,,. hctf ac1f
of existing conditions rather than to find
out who was responsible for such con
ditions with a view to having them
punished. The appalling state of affairs
as revealed by the reports of the COM
mittee that had personally inspected the
three schools mentioned had aroused The
Grand Jury to realization of It's duty
in the premises. There was no political
clap-trap in the movement. It was done
for the benefit Of the whole people OF
the city. and will undoubtedly result in a
presentmen4 to the court that will stir
the interested citizens TO demand from
the city the school facilities to which
they are entitled.
The consensus of opinion among the
members Of the Grand Jury is that the
city has no greater need than this one,
lative sanction, it should be demanded,
and if refused the dominant political par
ty should be held to a strict accountable
ity by the people.
About one-halaf of the time spent by
the Mayor in the Grand Jury room was
consumed in a general discussion concern
ing the lack of proper school facilities
and the disgracefuI condition of some OF
those existing. The inquiry resolved it
self into serious talk between Grand
Jurors and Mayor. The latter expressed
himself as favorable to plan to better
existing conditions, but could suggest
none. He told of the demands on the city
treasury from other sources; explained
the system by which appropriations were
made; announced his anxiety to have d
public bath, and incidentally threw cold
water on Auditor Heath and other Re-
publican scandal mongers by declaring
that he did not believe that there was
anything corrupt in any of the city
boards, although, he said, improvements
might be made by changes of existing
systems.
The Grand Jurors talked over existing
school laws permitting the expenditure of
money for new schools and repairs, but
concluded that little could be done with
cut additional legislative authority.
Then the secret session of the Grand
Jury was adjourned. Superintendent of
Schools Henry Snyder. High School Prin-
cipal Hopkins and Director Of Education
Ward were invited into the room for an
informal talk on the same subject. All
conceded that temporary repairs to the
three buildings were absolutely necessary
at once, and that new school houses
should be erected as soon as possible in
place Of the present Nos. 6 and IL
Clerk Michael Kalaher, Of the Finance
Board. was then called. He explained
that the Board Of Education had asked
for $500 to put the High School building
in proper sanitary condition, and that the
Board of Finance had concurred in the re-
quest Mr.. Kalaher said that the Board
of Education could have proceeded at
once to advertise for bids for the work,
although nothing had as yet been DONE
That SO much had been accomplished
through ti1eis efforts som eof the Grand
Jury were not aware, but all expressed
satisfaction that at least an entering
wedge had been made.
Principals J. W. Wakeman. of No. 6,
and Miss Soper of No. II, who had been
subpcenaed waited in the corridor during
the entire session and were not called.
Tt is proboble that before the Grand
Jury is discharged for the term a present.
ment covering the entire subject will be
handed into court.
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