The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-11
new IRVINGTON SCHOOL
DELEGATION of CITIZENS CALLS ON
THE COMMISSIONERS.
Desire that the New Building Be Lo-
Gated south of Washington Street
-Other Business.

A delegation of Irvington citizens. con-
sisting of E. c. Ropkey, F. A. Belzer. A. H.
Bonham, A. Z. Larsh. Gilbert H. Brown.
w. E. Leach, s. A. Virgins, James /.
Stone, A. B. Thorp and Thomas z. Smiley,
appeared before the School Board at the
meeting last night and advised the board
on the wishes of the Irvington residents in
the selection of a site for the proposed new
Irvington school.
The spokesman for the delegation, Messrs.
Smiley, Thorp and Brown, said it was the
sentiment OF the property owners and res
idents Of the territory that the school be
built on the site of the building recently
destroyed by fire. They said that inasmuch
as 70 per cent. of the population Of Irving
ton lived south of Washington street and
80 per cent. north, ii wouid De against the
wishes of the majority to locate the school
north of Washington street The speakers
discussed the dangers of the children cross
ing the street car tracks to go to school,
and all of the objections against changing
the schoo. site. To establish the school
north of Washington street would increase
the already great distance some of the
children have TO walk to go to school now.
The gentlemen agreed with the School
Board that the property known as the
Ritter Homestead would not be objection
able, but they persisted in the statement
that it was the majority will of the people
of Irvington that the new school be built
where the old one stood.
THEY MARvELED MUCH.
Much OF the time of the School Board
was devoted to marveling over the disap-
pearance of Commissioner Emrich's mus
tache and the appearance of a new table
for the use of the newspaper reporters
The commissioners also found time to lis
ten to the creditable showing of Commits
during the Legislature Mr.. Moores re-
ported the bills that had been defeated
and the influence of the Indianapolis School
Board on the action of the General Assem-
bly, and Governor.
1851 9. 1t also confirmed the appointment
of Gilmore Prange to succeed Walter PAUL.
as assistant in the forging department Of
the Manual Training High School Presi-
dent Sweeney announced the selection Of
Commissioner Moores to supervise the erec-
ton Of the addition to the Shortridge High
School, Commissioner Enrich for the
Manual Training High School. Commission
er Sickels for new school No. Al, at RAIDER
and Thrtieth streets, North Indianapolis,
and himself at the new colored school No.
40. The report of Librarian Browning was
received and adopted. 1t shows that during
the month of February of the ,497 books
in the library only 1906 were circula ted,
compared with 27.023 for the corresponding
month of last year. Miss Browning ex-
planned the decrease in circulation as due
to the prevalence of contagious diseases in
the city which necessitated the closing or
a branch library. The temporary closing
of the children's department in the main
library was also responsible for some Of
the decrease.
FAILED TO AGREE.
For the first time in many meetings the
board failed to agree last night on a res
olution. A few weeks ago Business Dr.
rector Cleland received bids for new roof
for the Library building. In answer to the
advertisement three bidders-H. c. Smith
err c. Zimmerman & Sons and T. F. Smith
er-offered to place an asphalt roof on the
Library building for s45O The indication
that the price of asphalt roofing in the city
is the same with all dealers looked peculiar
to say the least, and the board was tempo
rarily '.stumped" on who was to be award
ed the contract Finally lots were drawn
and Zimmerman & Sons won. When the
resolution awarding the contract to G.
Zimmerman & Sons was introduced there
was a disagreement. President Sweeney
and Commissioner Enrich voted to award
the contract because they felt that the
roof Is badly needed and that second ap-
plcation for bids will do no good. Commits
sioners Moores and Sickels opposed the
resolution and proposed that the matter be
referred to the business director. Mr.. Gle
land was instructed to advertise for bids
again after he find what course should be
pursued to get the new asphalt roof for the
Library building.