The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-11
CITIZENS TO PROBE
CENTRAL SCHOOL DELAY IN
MONTCLAIR.
Committee of Nine Will Be Named to
Find Out What Is Holding Project
Back-Trenton Hearing Today.

At the special meeting of about $50 we'll
known citizens of Montclair, held In Unity
Hail. that town, last night, to consider the
school question there. the following reso-
lptions were passed:
Whereas, it is manifest that there IS
need Of large school accommodations in
the Central district to accommodate the
pupils In attendance there, and, further
more, that this need has been apparent
for years, and for some reason has not
been supplied, and that, in consequence or
this failure the Central School buildings
have become overcrowded to such an ex-
tent as seriously to hamper school work
and to threaten the health of the teachers
and pupils. and
"Whereas, it is the manifest duty OF all
public officials charged with responsibility
h this matter to cooperate In providing
such accommodations commensurate with
the growing needs of the town. and
Whereas, the present condition Of af-
fairs. IS proof that somebody or some
board or boards has or have failed in its
plain duty and that the public schools OF
Montclair are suffering irreparable injury
from such failure, now, therefore, be IL
Resolved, First, that the gentlemen here
/ present do hereby constitute themselves n
/ citizens ommitt for the purpose of as
pertaining where the responsibility for this
condition of affairs properly belongs, and
II possible, by any means In its power, to
/ remove the obstacles which have been in
! terposed to the progress of this important
business, and, II that be not possible. TO
known to the public of Montclair
what are the causes of delay and VINO
should be held responsible for them.
"S~econd-That a subcommittee Of nine,
of whom TIE chairman of this meeting
shall be one, be appointed by the chair.
! whose duty it shall be to investigate all
h facts leading up to the present situa-
I ton, and endeaVor to secure such action
/ by the town authorities as will provide the
tpeeded accommodations at the earliest pos
sibie date, and to report to this COM
mfttee with such recommendations as the
Subcommittee may think advisable.
- Third-That the chairman and secretary
of this meeting continue to act as chair
man and secretary, respectfully, OF the
[ citixenc' committee, with power to add to
! its membership ali who are in sympathy
with the spirit and purpose of these reso-
I buttons, and with further power to call a
meeting of the committee whenever, in
their Judgment, its purpose as herein eX-
pressed will be thereby promoted"
The committee Of nine has not yet been
appointed.
Three hundred invitations had been sent
out for the meeting and about half that
number were present. Decatur M. Saw
yer was elected chairman and Ralph t.
VCrane secretary. Those present at the
4meeting were all from the Central dis
Atrict of the town and are in favor of the
Erection of a large central grammar school
building, such as the Board of Education
wished to erect and for which the Town
Council refuses to appropriate the funds
unless the board submit plans to the
Council first.
81 The matter is being argued today be-
fore State Superintendent of Education
Baxter at Trenton. The Council Is repre-
sented by Town Attorney Robert M. Boyd,
IT., and Mayor Henry V. Crawford and
Councilmen George S. Brown and Arthur
G.. Wilson. The school board Is repre-
scented by Special Counsel Charles H.
Hartshorne and John r. L,vermore, presi
dent of the Board of Education, and Schooi
Commissioner Henry +. Terrey.
John N. Holton read a letter Mt last
! = Is meeting from Mayor Henry V.
gf1a wforG, stating the views of the Town
council on the matter.