New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-06
BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY REFUSE.
Plan to Transfer $25O,OOO for Recreation
and Vacation Schools Being Considered.

In reference to the statement made yesterday
that an arrangement had been made to transfer
$4,000 from the special school fund Of the Board
OF Education to the general school fund for avoid
ing the necessity for closing the recreation CEN
tres and vacation schools. William Lummis chair
man of the committee finance OF the Board of
Education says that the conference he held
with the Controller was a personal and tentative
one only, for endeavoring 10 reach a method of
settlement of the question The suggestions made
by the Controller remain, according to Mr.. Lum-
mis- 10 be passed by the Board of Education.
Mr.. Lumnis added:
Many Many members OF the board are unwilling 70
which covers school repairs furniture and repairs.
supplies JanitoTs salaries and salaries OF of1cers
anu clerks or the Board OF Education. the allow
ance for that fund being already $.S00.000 less
than the amount asked for.
An especially large number OF old school build
tngS IN Brooklyn and Queens are in an unsanttary
pairs of a permanent character should be made TO
them with as little DELAY as possible Last wear
the Board of Education asked that the legislature
OF city bonds for this purpose and it was under
Circuit Il was not enacted however. If the mem
that such bill will be favored by the present city
administration and adopted BY the legislature at
is coming session II is more than probable that
the temporary transfer from the special school
fund suggested by the Controller will be approved
In respect to the possible economies referred to
in the Controllers statement, figures are being pre-
pared by the Board OF Education which will show
that there has been no such extravagance as has
the general fund nearly Sl5,0JJo0o is mandatory.
being for salaries Of teachers increase o. salaries
the corporation schools. Deductins S225611 for
supervision. including salaries of sUperintendents
examiners and officers of compulsory education
there remains only SAG applicable 70 the sup
PORT or the evening schools, evening nigh schools
evening lectures vacation schools and recreation
ceutreS-a sum altogether insufficient and one
which no possible immediate economies can make
adequate. hope, however. that We are nearing
practical solution OF this difficult problem
When Mr.. GrOut had Mr. Lumnis's state
ment he said:
Mr.. Lumms, as I understood him, distinctly
agreed to the measures there outlined Evidently
he has failed to get the consent OF Mr.. Maxwell
and Mr. Cook to carry out the plans. which points
70 the real difficulty in dealing with the Board of
EducotiOn-that is, that Mr. Maxwell and Mr..
Cook seem to nave absolute veto upon anything
which tho members OF the board desire. There was
no suggestion in my talk with Mr.. LUmmiS yes
upon getting any legislation. So far the legisla-
ton now suggested by him is that which I my self
proposed last year and which failed OF passage.
the bill which would allow the making Of perrua-
reintroduCe that bill.
AS 10 the possible economies which I know can
be made in the school administration. and which
the last Board OF Estimate, including Mayor Low
and Borough President Swanstrorl, believed could
be made, Mr. LurnniS's statement seems to dodge
the issue The economies which I know be
school fund and have nothing 10 do with the school
teachers salaries. Doubtless. however, there is
just as much tNtravagance in the expenditures for
supervision, which the school teachers themselves
seem TO think is rather burdenSOme than effective,
as have found III the recommendation and
QUESTION OF school sites. concerning which I viii
have said heretOfOre-that there is .nOt depart
ment In the city government which spends money
freely, and in many cases useessly and
needlessly as it is expended in the Department OF
Education.