New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-09
THE uAYoR's SCHOOL PLAN.

The Mayors suggestion that temporary one
story buildings should be put up in some of
the small parks for use by the schools while the
deficit of school accommodations continues is
worthy Of consideration. We cannot say, how
ever that il is free from serious objections.
The president o: the Board OF Education has
expressed Il favorable opinion Of the plan and
will commend it to the attention OF his col
leagues, 50 that it's merits and disadvantages
are likely 10 be intelligcntly weighed, and it
may therefore be unnecessary to anticipate
their discussion Of the matter; but II can do
10 harm 10 say few words on the subject in
advance.
The present deficiency Is serious, though less
so than it has been made TO appear, and doubt
less it ought to he supplied as soon as possible.
Nor can any good reason why tenn
porary expedlents should not I've more largely
employed than heretofore; but it is extremely
doubtful II the Mayors proposal IS, on the
whole, judicious. In the first place, park is
not good place for a school, and school
grounds are not adapted to the purposes OF
park Sucn Joint use would be prejudicial TO
both the interests concerned. II IT were ques-
ton OF a few weeks only, little harm would
result. But obviously unless such school build
ings rs the Mayor has in mind were to be
occupied for n considerable time, the invest
ment would be somewhat burdensome. They
would absorb Il good deal of money however
honestly constructed, or else they would be
unsuitable Indeed, there is n strong prob
ability that even if the authorities meant TO
spend as much as was strictly necessary, it
would be found that such makeshift buildings
were unsanitary and inconvenlent.
1t is difficult to why larger number OF
rooms in private buildings might not be rented
for the schools. 1t Is true that some offers
Of that sort have been declined because Of the
requirements OF the law as TO safeguards
against fire, and perhaps a more extensive
search than the public has heard Of has led to
nothing for the same reason. But it is scarcely
conceivable that among the halls. lecture rooms,
parish houses, etc. which are scattered all over
the city and constantly appealing fo- lessees
the Board of Education could not find number
which might be made available at short notice
and small cost OF course no serious risks
should be taken, but IF there are requirements
in the law which would be needless in the case
for example, OF n ground floor room on n
corner. with good exits, slight amendment of
the law TO meet the eXigency would not be
dangerous. Perhaps the school authorities
with the best intentions IN the world, are n
little too prone to raise objections instead OF
overcoming them. 1t isn't always true that
where there's a will there's way but we are
inclined to think that proverb contains at least
as much truth any other AT all events this
is an uncommOnly favorable season for tenants
of all sorts, and we are persuaded that the
Board of Education would do we'll to prosecute
its inquiries with the utmost thoroughness be-
fore abandoning the quest for school accommo-
dations which the regular buildings do not
provide.
We do not wish to be understood Is pronoupc-
ing positive Judgment against Mayor Nc
Clellan's plan while as yet It has received little
earnest consideration. Our purpose is merely
to suggest some asons for thinking that when
carefully examined, as 1t should be, It will not
be found 10 contain a fortunate solution OF the
problem.