New-York tribune., 1907-06-04
AGAINST FREE COLLEGE
BROOKLYN OPPOSITION.
James McKeen GiUes arguments of
Opponents of FOeIker Bill.

The Foelker BILL authorizing the establishment
of free college in Brooklyn. will have hearing
before Mayor Mcclellan tomorrow morning at
1880 o'clock. In addition to providing for the
establishment of such a college the bill empowers
the Board of Estimate and appointment to issue
city bonds to establish and maintain IL and pro-
vides that any corporation conducting educational
work in the city Of New York may consolidate
with the proposed college.
This bill has been opposed since it intro
duced by James McKeen. general counsel for the
Mutual Life Insurance Company. who makes his
home in Brooklyn. Mr.. McKeen said yesterday
that some persons had the idea that he was the
only Brooklyn who opposed the bill
LAS a matter OF fact said Mr.. McKeen. there
has been practically affirmative support OF the
bill. except by gentlemen connected with tnstitu-
tions which hope to profit by it. The members OF
the Teachers Association in the Public Schools
have earnestly supported the measure. the princi
pals OF the schools naturally hoping for promo
tions to college professorships.
"On the other hand. great number OF citizens
of Brooklyn have put themselves record as
opposed to the bill some OF whose names shall
give you In the Borough OF Manhattan too the
bill has been opposed by the City Club. and among
the many individuals who have recorded them
selves in opposition 20 it Dr. William Fl.
Maxwell SuDerintendent OF Schools, and Dr. Ly
Abbott.
This bill is substantially Identical with a bill
introduced last year by Senator Cooper. which
passed both the Senate and Assembly. but was
vetoed by Governor higgins. Even assuming ILdl
the purposes of the bill this year laudable. the
reckless character OF its provisions in regard to
the appropriation OF public funds is enough to
defeat it.
The College of the City OF New York cannot be
considered as a precedent for the proposed free
Brooklyn college. The former founded as a
free academy pursuant 10 a referendum and before
the adoption of the present constitution. Article l.
Section l. of this constitution says that the Legs
lature shall provide for the maintenance and sup
+oPt tl,a Of fraa
the children of the state may be educated
at has repeatedly been judcially determined
that common schools mean only elementary
schools. The affirmative duty imposed here by the
constitution should make the Legislature very care
full in allowing any diversion of public funds TO
'.;The Coegs of the CIV OF New York besides is
a charge upon ali the taxpayers of the city and on
It's site is much nearer in time 10 all parts or
the greater city than the country schoolhouses
to the pupils in an ordinary school district. The
new buildings have been constructed TO accOmmo-
about $500, of which 1900 in the sub-freshman.
established when there were no high schools. but
with the high school system now complete, these
schools leaving only 500 collegiate students In the
new buildings. which have room for 500
can profit by a free college in Brooklyn. The
evowed purpose Of the bill is to tax the entire city
population OF one of the boroughs''
ing to Mr. McKeen have put themselves on record
as opposed 70 the bill are Henry Hentz Robert y
nolds. Judge Joseph A. Burr. George W, Chauncey.
David II. Cochran Dr. Charles Jewett Henry Z:
Duvaf Truman J. Backus. George P stockwell.
erick " IIinTichs. J. W Abernethy. george II.
B2yan Fl smith Charles oSo Hui, 0te' the Rev a. De-
Win Wit Mason C. D. EahnestoGk Samuel Rowland
Edwin Packard. John Mason Knox, f. A. Rollins.
Price.