The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-14

difference of opinion on this point. Con-
corning the schools he said:
1.-THE continued rapid growth OF our city
in population, with its consequent increase
In The number of school children, has pre-
sented serious problems to those having in
charge the educational department. of our
city government.
THE new Ashland School was but re-
Gently completed and occupied, and the
new school building in the Fourth Ward IS
in process Of construction. These build
ings will relieve the congestion in the
lower or grammar grades, and Will, 1t is
thought, provide sufficient accommodation
for the classes of these grades for some
few years, but, unfortunately, Will not
provide for the relief of the crowded
conditions which now exist in the High
School.
"Some have favored the construction of
an addition to the present High School
building, and others the erection of a new
considerable thought, / am inclined to
the opinion that 1t would be better and
wiser to follow the plan of erecting a
1T is not so important that this question
be settled quickly, as 1t is that it should
be settled right. In the solution of the
problem that is presented 1t Is necessary
to take into consideration what use, if any,
can be made of the present High School
building aud what disposition can be made
of it, if unsuited or unnecessary for school
purposes.
THE financial condition OF the city is
excellent; finding 1t so, make IL your par
tieular duty o maintain this condition Of
affairs. The treasurer reports receipts and
disbursements for tho year 1907. as fol-
lows: Receipts, s1,417,172.11; disbursements,
81, 40, 1854 Balance on hand January ],
1901, S26,165.so: on Januar !, 1908, $685.
The only change of Importance in city
government during the past year was the
appointment of a Playground Commission,
pursuant to the authority of an act iap-
proved May 3 1907: THIS commission has
admirably suited for the purposes of q
playground. 1t is expected that the ground
will be enclosed and ready for use this
spring. L am In hearty accord with the
idea that il Is important TO have in every
city just such a public recreation ground
as this will be.
The New Charter-When the new char
ter Is presented to the Council 1 recon-
mend that you call n special meeting for
its consideration and that you invite to
such meeting the gentlemen who served
upon the committee appointed in accord
ance with a resolution OF your body
Water Department-During the summer
of 1907 the second group of wells we're put
In service; the natural flow of the wells
WAS found to be ample to supply all de-
mands. in spite OF the fact that VIC eXpe-
rienced a long drought, which caused
nearly all surface wells and streams in
II wish to renew. and. il possible. to
emphasize the commentator of former
years with respect to the necessity of hay
ing the control Of orr water department
In the hands of a commission, whose sole
duty it will be to care for and mdnage
this important branch of the city work.
Police Departmental the present time
the police force consists of seven Officers,
thirty-seven regular men and sixteen
ch%ancemen; a total of forty-four regular
men. While it is undoubtedly true that
the territory which has to be patroled is
large, nevertheless, it seems to me that
at this time there is no great need of an
increase in the numerical strength OF the
department.
ing the past year in this city amounted
to only $3.50; this of itself speaks well
for the work done by this department.
There should be a full company with a
chemical engine located in the Fifth Ward.
| recommend the building Of a permanent
fire house there and that, it be equipped
and manned as suggested. 1t might be
we'll for the Council to consider the ques-
ton Of installing a new fire
alarm system or improvements to the sys-
"Streets aud H-ighways-The improve
ment Of Main street is a subject often
discussed; the amount which is spent
every year to keep this thoroughfare in
condition directs attention to the necessity
of repaving. 1t seems TO me that it would
be advisable to construct a storm water
drain under and along this street and then
to repave the street with a wood or
bitulithic pavement.
"The experiment of putting oil upon
HIIttlo " IlE III just VI q MS ~ to'
was tried during the past year upon. a
portion of two streets. There was consld-
cradle Inconvenience suffered. and a mum
Der of strong protests resulted. believe
that a method is used and can be en-
ployed which would remove or obvlate
the cause OF complaint. and the suggestion
Is made that further trial be given to
this means Of preventing the blowing
about Of dust.
fsShade Tree Commisslon-During the
year 1907 the commission set out upon the
Dnhlic streets 62 trees. bringing the I0Ldl
planted TO January 1 of this year up TO
the considerable number OF LIS. The
work Of the commission Is very salts
factory and Is receiving careful and in
elligent consideration.
'Free Public Tibrary-The records of the
Library for the year 1907 show an in
crease in the circulation OF books over
the previous year, Notwithstanding the
large number reported for that year. A
total OF 15S.St4 volumes were borrowed
for home reading during the past year.
This is an increase of 1855 over 1906 and
an average use of each volume in the IL
brary amounting TO six and one-third
times the number of books contained
therein.
Board of Health-The possession by our
city of the abundant supply OF pure and
wholesome water contributes to a large
degree in preserving the public heath.
There are. however, thugs and conditions
which must be constantly watched. exam
ined and regulated. in order to prevent
e~pldemics OF contagious or infectious dis
eases. All the actions of the board should
he FIRM. determined ald sufficient. and at
the same time undiscrimin9fing and just.
its regulations should be effective, but not
oppressive nor unreasonable.
Excise Commissioners reported by the
commission there were In effect December
81, 1907. only n total OF thirteen snloon and
inn and tavern licenses. a decrease OF two
during the year. During the past yea no
violations OF the excise laws were re-
ported.