The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-07-31
President Holman Explains

AFTER pointing out the crowded con-
dition of the high schools and. the
PROBABILITY OF an increased attendance
at these schools the coming year. Pres
ldent Holman has the following to say
regarding the high school problem:
1t appeared to the board that the time
mas arrived when some permanent solu-
tlon OF the high school situation should
be made. After a most careful inyestiga :
ton OF local conditions, and after obtain
ing the Judgment and experience of edu-
Gators In other parts of the country the
the larger cities is justified either from
the standpoint of economy or efficiency,
unless it can show an enrolment of at
least 500 pupils. The board therefore de-
termined that there ought to be construct
ed In this city two new high school build
!ngs-one in the eastern and the other
IN the western, end of the city, and tSat
the Central building should be continued
In use and the three other high schools
abandoned. 1t was thought desirable that
the construction of at least one of those
new buildings should. be commenced with
out delay. There is, no doubt that this
plan would afford relief to all the schools
and would prove of permanent benefit to
the community.
the part of the. residents of the Sixth
ward. They claim that the Humboldt
should not be closed; that it's, standing in
educational circles is very high; that it
contains nearly the same number of pu-
pills as the Cleveland and ought to re-
ceive the same fair treatment There is
no question about the high standing of
the Humboldt among the high schools of
this state, and it must be conceded that
there is force to the arguments advanced
by these citizens in favor of the main
tenance of their school
There are others who protest that we
cannot afford to construct two high school
buildings at this time and that the grades
must receive first consideration.
Urges Adoption of Plan
With these conflicting views it seems
probable that all relief will be defeated
unless the plan adopted by the board be
modified and local interests be reasonably
satisfied.
AS compromise it has been suggested
and the suggestion is worthy of favorable
consideration, that the Cleveland and
Humboldt be continued and a new build
ing constructed at some point in the west
end equally accessible to all that growing
territory that the Central remain in per-
manent use and the Mechanic Arts be
devoted to the grades until acquired by
the state for additional capitol grounds
1t is urged In support of. these sugges
school pupils reside in the west end of the
city and that new building in that dis
trict.. would undoubtedly open with an
enrolment of at least 500 pupils. The re-
is placed upon the board, and its familiar
ity with the existing conditions ought to
give it's Judgment almost controlling
weight.
The money required for the construction
of permanent improvements. either for
the use of the graded or high schools
should not be wholly raised by taxation
We have asked the council to authorize
the issuance of 100000 of bonds for the
construction of school buildings There
is no valid ground for the refusal of this
request. That sum will certainly be re-
quired for permanent improvements and
it must be supplied either by bond is
sue or taxation. The disposition of this
fund is left to the sound discretion of the
council; there is no reason for any as
sumption that this fund will be misap-
piled or devoted to any ambitious or ex-
trayagant project.