The Jersey City news., 1903-01-22

My OBJECT III StaIlng theSe nSureS IS
to<show that it is mistake for the city
to erect High School on the Harrison
site. Jersey City should have new
High School. But if we went into the
question of public High School educa-
ton, under the Constitution, We would
have no right to build. We appreciate
the value of a High School education
and we want to give the people the. adj
vantages of it if we can. We are not
in position to sink half million where
it would not be for the benefit of the
greatest number Of people.
mo city, as I have said, should build
High School but in studying the
topography of the city. I'm satisfied
that instead of erecting one school at
the expense of 100000 it could build
two High Schools at a cost of 100000
each. This means, however, increased
cost of maintenance.
COST OF TWO BUILDINGS. j
Zone new High School building means
that we will have to provide for $4,000
additional in teachers salaries. 1t
doesn't include expenses of mainten-
ance. Two High School mean that you
have got to divide the studies, ands this
means an additional expense of $1,000
over the $4,000, or $4,000 more than
the expenses of the present High School
faculty.
Let us consider, Mr.. President, how
the construction of two High Schools
would reach the greatest number of peo-
pie. <
my idea is that one school should
be located, say near Summit and Fair
mount avenues, desirable neighbor-
hood, which can be readily reached by
people living in Lafayette, Greenville,
Bergen. the West Side and the lower
section of the city south of Newark ave-
nue..
THAT would cover a large territory.
The school would be filled comfortably.
The increased attendance would fully
warrant the action of building it there.
Il would suggest that the second school
should be located on Palisade north of
Christ Hospital. l think your judgment
will tell you that it would draw on a
heavily populated section; it would be
to all the Hill north of Bergen
Square and would be easily reached by
the West Side. 1t would give advantages
that the people cannot secure by the To-
cation lof site on the Harrison estate.
Il don't stand on the proposition but |
would recommend that the people of this
city arise in their might, call a meeting
and condemn the action which this Board
will take today. l should be glad to APP
pear at any public meeting and say that
the action of this Board is wrong and
y say your are scandalously spending
the public's money when you admit that
the city is not getting the proper return"
PLENTY OF PREGEDENTS.
Mr.. Brock read list of cities having
about the same or much less the popula
tion of Jersey City which has two or
more High Schools. The list included the
Cleveland, 3; Buffalo, 2;
Cincinnati, 3; Detroit, 5; Milwaukee, 3;
Washington, 5; Louisville, 4; Providence.
A; Kansas City, 3; st. Paul, 4; Denver,
5; Toledo, 2, and Columbus, 3.
''These Cities" continued Mr.. Brock,
''seem to understand the High School
question. Why should you hesitate to
dwell ON the question of two High
Schools for Jersey City?
Il believe it would be the wisest policy
for this city to adopt. 1t would be
grievous error to .obligate ourselves to
buy the Harrison estate for two schools.
You have stood by your convictions all
along and l have steadfastly opposed
you.
''When the people of Jersey City ap-
preciate what you are about to do they
will oppose your actions, believing that
it is for the worse and not for the best
interests of the city.
Il would like to see this resolution hold
over for while. Two weeks delay
won't hurt one bit"
RINGLE'S REPLY.
Then up spoke President Jacob Ringle
who frankly confesses that he isn't in
favor of High Schools anyway.
.Inasmuch as Mr.. Brock has taken
such decided stand" said Mr. Ringle,
Il will say few words. The High
School site question has been under con-
sideration for almost two years. The To-
cation which has been selected has been
favored by almost everybody | have had
anything to do with.
A short time ago the Board of Edu-
cation favored the site and demanded
that it be secured We will have,to build
a High School or else a larger Grammar
School in the Third Ward The present
High School building is so crowded that
it has become a scandal. We must do
something.
Two years ago the city advertised
asking for offers Of High School sites.
We get thirteen different offers. Not
one Of the sites was SO available as the
Harrison property. Not one of them
had one half Of the area of this prop
erty. The smallest price asked for was
$45, 900 for the Van Reipen site. L
think that the Harrison site is the most
available. 1t is of equal distance from
the northern and southern boundaries
of the city. Pupils from all sections
can reach it for simple carfare. There
was some objections to it ON the grounds
that there was too much rock On ex-
animation that was proven false.
H. 4, Il