New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-14
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPEN TO-DAY
NO CHILD WILL BE TURNED AWAY-HALF SIT
TINGS BECAUSE OF STRIKES
More Buding BE FnskedShaTp Contrast uh IammdHyS
Neglect of Children
FUSION'S FINE RECORD.
For Schools, SI4,9OO,O 0O-C. L. Ap-
peaLs to Moral Sense.

President Cuttings declaration that the Cit
liens Union and allied bodies which are lined
up against Tammany would appeal to the moral
sense OF the community was followed up last
night by comprehensive statement about what
the Low administration has done for the cause
of education. There was nothing in which the
Van wyck administration showed its incom-
potency more than in its management of the
public schools Money was appropriated in
abundance for some OF the city departments
where the grating" was easily carried on, but
the schools were neglected. Mayor Low and the
fusion Board of Estimate and Apportionment
took UP the needs of the Board of Education
early after assuming office and the accomplish
ments of the last eighteen months makes rec
ord that Will appeal strongly to the heads or
families The Unions chapter on the manage
ment Of the schools is in part as follows;
TAMMANY HAL PLENTY OF TINE.
To understand fully the advance in the public
school system under fusion. the attitude OF Tam
many should be borne in mind. In September,
1898 the number of children in part time
classes In the public schools was 49.oJI. Here
was condition which IL was of vital Importance
should be remedied. 1t was obvious that the
situation could not be changed at once. but pro-
vision could be made so that inside of two
years the natural increase of the public school
population could be taken care OF. The average
annual increase is about $4,000 children. There
was plenty Of time. while Tammany was in
w
however, was the attitude of the Tammany
Board OF Estimate on the subject?
In 1898 the Board of Education asked for
S5,1S9,406 for new school sites and buildings.
The Tammany Board Of Estimate allowed but
S92O602 In 1899 the Board of Education said
1t needed So 473 $40 but Tammany allowed only
S1,613,64o. and in response to q requsitlon that
year for SS,OO0,OO0 additional the Board OF Es-
innate did not allow cent. In 1900 the Board
OF Education asked for S16.IS4.514; Il received
only S3.5Oo.OO0. Again, in 1891, its demands
were repudiated. a total Of S19,279,325 being
asked for. and only $35O0OO0 allowed-a definite
refusal TO grant S15.775.325 pressingly needed
for the children of New-York.
AS the inevitable result of this persistent re-
fusal to accede to the pressing demands Of the
public schools, the number of children neces-
sarily placed in part-time classes grew apace.
Against the 1887 in part-time classes in Sep
1901. In September. 1901. 5269 children were
refused admission 70 the schools altogether. The
result of the parsimony Of the Board of Esti-
mate in 1900 was seen still more strikingly In
September, 1902. when Superintendent Maxwell
undertook to make at least a part-time class for
every child Of school age in the city. For the
first time in many years the waiting list
eliminated. But the failure Of Tammany in pre-
vious years to provide for the growing school
population made ii necessary to place 69,063
children in part-time classes.
WHAT FUSION DID FOR THE SCHOOLS
With the assumption of office by Mayor Low
Tammany ceased to have control of the Depart
ment Of Education. Under the amended char
ter, the borough and school boards were abOl-
ished and the power vested in the Board OF
Education. The board elected it's president
Charles G. Birmingham, who had long been a
member, and who was especially cOnversant
with educational matters.
The new Board of Estimate and Apportion-
ment showed due appreciation Of the gravity
of the school problem. In 1902 the fusion Board
OF Education asked for 50. go, III for sites and
buildings. The Board of Estimate granted for
immediate use the sum of SS.OO0,OO0, a larger
amount than granted bv the previous
board for the years 1900 and 1901, combined.
With this appropriation the Board OF Educa-
ton able to buy sites and execute contracts
for an unprecedentiy large number Of elemen-
tary and high schools. Between January i,
1902 and December 81, 1902, contracts were
given out for buildings having a capacity Of
4S.4I5 pupils Contracts for buildings and
for additions TO buildings made I'm each year
since the present city of New-YOrk was created
represented sttings. follows;