The age-herald., 1902-03-10
Report of Superintendent Phil lips to the Board of
 Education
PRESENT, HOME TOO SMALL
Only Four Per Cent of EducabIe Youth of the City Pursuing Secondary Studies for Want of Proper
 Accommodations.

The report of the superintendent of public schools, Dr. J. H. Phillips, recom- mending high school building commen- surate with the needs of the city is in teresting at this time on account of the movement to have MT. Andrew Car negie contribute funds for the erection of Pathological High School The re- port follows
 Tt may seem superfuous task to call attention again to what Is recognized as the greatest and most pressing need of our city-a high school building for the accommodation of the masses of young people who complete the course of our elementary schools. The building now leased for the use of the high school is utterly inadequate, and, until it is re- placed by a structure that is commodious and adapted to the needs of the institu- tion. the high school can never occupy that commanding position in our school system and in the hearts of the people, that its merits and importance deserve. It will be readily admitted that the ele- mentary course of seven years provides too meager a foundation for life, and that 1t is the duty of the city to strength en this foundation by providing a course of secondary education. Under the pres ent conditions, not more than four per cent of the educable youth of the city, are found pursuing secondary studies This includes pupils in private schools and colleges as we'll as in the pubic high school.
 Want of Accommodations
 'The chief reason for this failure to enter upon the work of the secondary school is to be found in the want of high school accommodations. Notwithstanding the fees charged in the high school the rooms have been taxed to the limit of their capacity for several years, and the doors have been closed against many who have applied for admission. It must be remembered also that the vast ma jority of our people are laborers. me- chanics and small tradesmen, who can not afford to send their children to priv ate schools. Unless adequate high school facilities are provided by the city, the youth of the community will continue to be cut off with the elementary stage. This Is not only discreditable to the city but menace to the state and a crime against the youth of our commun- ity.
 
 element of wealth must be developed as the foundation of a moral and cultured civilization but we must remember that While our people are striving to build this foundation, the youth of the pres ent generation are doomed to enter up- on citizenship with the mere rudments Of an education. No matter how much the thousands of workingmen in this city may regret this fact, they are n ter how keenly the promoters of our in- dustries may feel the obligation of priv ate and corporate wealth for the cul- ture and welfare of the masses, they cannot set aside the counter obligation for the firm establishment and success full operation of enterprises so recently begun.
 Money for Other Things.
 Our municipality has not yet had time to develop the strength and power ex- pressed in the accumulated wealth of old CT communities. Birmingham Is still young her phenomenal growth covers but a few years. Yet the city has accom- plished wonders in providing for the wants of its increasing population. It has expended millions of dollars in sewerage. street paving. garding, macadamizIng and sidewalks It has built and euuipped
 
 school buildings for children of elemen- tary grade, at total cost of more than $3OO,OOO, and is now erecting a much needed city hall building at an expense of about S'o0,OOO. And all this was &C., complished under constitutional tax limit of 0cents on the hundred. But this outlay is only begining Growth of population anu expansion of territory must force increased Expenditures in many of these lines. Even now the city is confronted with the need of additional school accommodations for children of elementary grade. And yet, in the face of all these facts, make bold to plead before the bar of the public for a high school building. How shall it be obtain ed? l shall not attempt an answer to this question. That remains for others to do. l only plead the cause of thous- ands of our young men and women, with the fullest confidence. that when their needs are considered, some solution of the problem will be suggested.
 Need of Entire District.
 'In submitting the proposition to pro- vide high school building for Birming- ham we must keep in mind the needs of the entire district. The city of Birming ham does not consist merely of the popu- lation and industries within the narrow and temporary limits reported in the United States census of 1900. In the dis trict connected with the center of the city by electric car service, we have a population of more than 100000 people, fully four-fifths of whom are dependent for subsistence, directly or indirectly, upon the mineral and industrial enter prises of the district This central high school building must be adequate in space and equipment to meet the needs of the entire district. The institution should provide for the accommodation of 25OO students. Experience in educational work
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