The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-18
MEMPHIANS PRAISE
 LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL
McNeiII and Williams Spend
 Day in City
BIRMINGHAM IS A MODEL
Memphis Is to Spend $3oo,ooo On Schools Within the Next Two Years, and Men Came Here
 On an inspection Trip.

With the Birmingham Flight school sys- tenn of education and building as models the Memphis Board of Education pro- poses to erect a new High school build ing and install a course of instruction on the plans as perfected here by superin- tendent J. II. Phillips and Principal James B. Cunningham.
 With this end in view. Superintendent J. c. MoNeill of the Memphis schools and Principal N. NJ. Williams of the Mem phis High school are in the city making careful and detailed inspection of the school system and school buildings of Birmingham. The two gentlemen arrived yesterday morning and spent the day at the High school building. where they vis- tied every department and spent much time in consultation with Superintendent Phillips and Principal Cunningham.
 During the morning the two dlstln- gushed visitors addressed the teachers and pupils in the High school auditorium and made a fine impression upon the students. Superintendent McNeill was ln- troduced by Superintendent Phillips as an old friend who is thoroughly in sym pathy with young people and a man who ranks high in educational circles. Pro- lessor McNeill made a brief but impress sive talk congratulating the students upon the opportunities afforded them Ia hs,,r ..1 such a magnificent building to study In and urged them to profit by these golden opportunities. He held up the examples of noted men and women of the United States. who had risen from obscurity through their own efforts, and bid his hearers to do likewise.
 Best-Loved Man In Memphis.
 Professor Williams was introduced as the best loved man in Memphis, whose pupils never forgot his instruction, and he made short talk in response, emphazing the value of thorough education.
 The two visitors were accorded every facility In inspecting tke building and noted every detail from floor to floor, ex- pressing the greatest admiration at the completeness of the High school for every branch of instruction and care of the students
 Superintendent McNein yesterday after noon spoke very enthusiastically of his visit here and declared that the Birming- ham High school Is a model institution and is a monument to the efforts of Sup. erintendent Phillips and his able leuten- ant, Professor Cunningham. He de- clared of the latter that his contributions to educational literature upon the subject of the relation of education to the elmi- nation of crime were admirable and that he had worked out the problem very clearly.
 q am greatly pleased with my visit here," said Superintendent McNeill "I find most beautiful and progressive city in addition to. a splendid school sys- tenn and a magnificent High school build Ing.
 "Our commencement exercises at Mem phs are near at hand but Professor Will liam and l decided to steal away and make this visit in order to see for our selves the workings of the schools here which are among the best anywhere.
 Will Build New Schools.
 Memphis proposes to expend $3O0,000 on a new high school and ward schools within the next year or two and we want the best buildings and the best system of conducting them, hence our visit. The Memhpls school population is increas- ing at the rate of 1000 per year and we must make provisions for them. Our schools are crowded even after the erec- ton of two new buildings last year and the industrial arts department must be expanded and perfected.
 "Our visit here has been a revelation to us, both in the school work and in the city itself and we hope to profit great ly by the trip
 Superintendent McNeill was elected to take charge of the Memphis schools In March, succeeding Congressman George w Gordon, who resigned at that time after long and honorable service in the position. Professor McNeil Is a south ern man but has been for years engaged in school work in Missouri. He was late ly superintendent of the schools at West Superior. Wis, and for a number of years assasitant superintendent of the schools at Kansas City. Mo, under J. M. Green wood one of the most noted educators of the United States He was treasurer of the National Education association al one time and ranks high as an educator