The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-27
SLOW
IN SCHOOL
MATTERS
SchOOImen'S Dinner to New
Board Brings Out News
of New High School.

That Newark was behind other cities
of like size in high and industrial
schools, and that the system for the
education OF in~corrigible children
was inadequate, were assertions by
DR.. Addison B. Poland, superintendent
of schools in his speech Saturday night
at the dinner given by the Schoolmen's
Club to the members of the new small
Board of Education.
After testing the edibles at Davis's
the members of the club told their
guests something of the existing condi-
lions as they saw them.
DR.. Poland made the principal adj
dress. He said Newark was third
among the cities of the country to es-
tablish a high school, but is now in
thirtieth place as to enrolment and
attendance. The speaker said this was
due to inadequate facilities, in that
buildings of sufficient size had not been
provided for the high school and man
ual training courses.
DR.. Poland went on to say that this
city and Jersey City were the only two
of the principal cities in the country
which had not provided for the edu-
cation of youths between the ages Of
Ia and 20, particularly in a business
course to fit them for practical life.
In speaking of hayward children DR..
Poland waxed eloquent.
"VVhere do we send incorrigible
children?" he asked. "Down into the
red light district, to the worst parts
of the city, to learn from the degrade
tion more evil ways than they knew
of, and who finally find their level
with hat of the associates they are
forced to meet"
He advocated the establishment of
schools for the education and moral up
lifting of such children, and dwelt at
length on the crowded condition of the
High School.
When he remarked that it was prob
able two high schools would have to
be run In the same building for several
years, President Frederick r. Guild,
of the board, interrupted to say that
he did not think the condition would
continue hat long. The interruption
cheered by the schoolmen, who
took from 1t that the muddle oyer the
erection of the proposed $400. 900 manual
training and technical high school
would be settled by the new board.
Five members of the Board of Edu-
cation-President Frederick F. Guild,
Vice-President George w. Tomkins,
Edgar r. Brown, Charles p. Taylor
and John Bruenig-made addresses.
They referred to the difficulties already
overcome and spoke of those yet to be
settled. The tone of the speeches was
optimistic.
Mr.. Guild and Mr.. Tomkins said they
were satisfied to allow the educational
part of the work Of the board to be
handled by the heads of the educa-
tional department, which, they felt,
We're competent to handle them well,
while the board would devote itself to
the business end. All the board MEM
bers asked for cooperation by the prin-
cipals.
The new member of the board of ex-
aminers, John Cotton Dana, librarian
of the Free Public Library, told the
principals that in the small Board of
Education they had obtained what they
have long wanted, and the changed
atmosphere in the schools during the
next few years would be a revelation
to the public at large, and would make
the members of the new board famous.
Assistant City Attorney Charles M.
Meyers, counsel to the board; Edwin
Shepard, principal of the Avon Avenue
School; DIR. Schailer, medical inspector;
Arthur V. Taylor, of the High School;
Frank r. Fort, principal of Hamburg
Place School, and Assistant Superin-
tendent j.. Wilmer Kennedy also de-
livered short addresses.
A resolution of sympathy for Com
missioner James Taaffe, whose son died
last week. was adopted.