The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-14
100000 WASTED
SCHOOL BOARD OF EAST
ORANGE ATTACKED.
Councilman Grover Claims There Has
Been Encouragement in Finan-
cial Matters.

Stating that 1t was his purpose 10
have the taxpayers learn what the
East Orange Board of Education was
having out lately for the purchase oil
ground. because he considered inc
board had wasted money. Councilman
Grover, of that place, last ulght at a
meeting Of the East orange CITY Couh-
ell worked for placing in the general
tax lew the sum of $3.50. which tic
Board of School Estimate recommehd-
ed be used by the board for buying
ave lots near the Elmwood School, hive
! near the Franklin Schoo and ono In
Main street. No other member would
support Mr.. Grover. Speaking of the
board, Mr.. Grover claimed 1t had cost
the taxpayers $500, goo by mismanago-
Inent. He said.
III believe that the Board of Educa-
ton is using too much of the tax
payers money in the purchase OF more
ground around the present school sites,
specially at this time when we lave
TO borrow money TO run the affairs OF
the city. / believe that every child of
rhis city should have tho best educa-
tion that can be had for them. and L
think they are getting it. thanks to
the high grade of teachers we have IN
the purchase of ground around
buildings already erected and which in
some cases arc surrounded by acres, is
q waste of money at mis- time, and II
we place the appropriation in the gem
oral tax levy Tor 1908 we will arouse the
taxpayers more quickly, and they will
sec hat the wastefulness OF the board
is the cause of our large tax bill, and
not the education of the children. than
by raising 1t by bonding the city.
at has been known for two or three
years that two or more hundred thou
sand dollars was needed for the high
school. and instead of preparing for 1t
7 believe the Boar of Education has
wasted. or lost to the taxpayers $780,
taxpayers will investigate, and the
only reason / have in offering tile
amendment is to wake them up"
Councilman Burr believed the remarks of
his colleague were not proper and ex-
planned that the property was badly needed
at the Elmwood School, and ne did not
think the public small enough TO object TO
the buying of playgroknds.
Mr.. Grover said Fairgrounds were needed.
but claimed that the board had tried TO
buy a lot near the Elmwood School for a
library and then voted the proposition
down aud now wanted five lots there.
Mr.. Eulr thought Mr.. Grover was play
ing politics, but the councilman claimed
he was not opposing the purchase, but
only desired the public to see just how
much the board was spending. No one
seconded his amendment TO have the
amount placed in the tax levy, and he
voted against the recommendation OF the
Board OF School Estimate.
Councilman Merrill. also a new member,
asked questions when the finance commit
Nf.k at& 49,
a s55, 900 loan with the Sinking Fund Com
mission at per cent, interest. He did not
think it was only a matter Of changing
the money from one pocket to the other.
members of the commission are capable
men, declared Chairman Plerson. "and
well able to take care of themselves. If
they are Willing TO loan us money at 4
per cent. ] think it is very considerate of
them"
After Mr.. Merrill said lie thought it
would be a case of paying Az per cent.
the matter rested. Mr.. Merrill again
delved into questions, however, when Ed
ward Christopherson was appointed water
registrar al a salary OF s., 035 a year, and
when James Benson. a clerk in the de-
partment. received a small increase in
salary. MIR. Merrill desired to know just
what their duties We're.
Councilman Greer announced that there
we're several false alarms sent in TO the
fire department. and on his motion the
Council voted to give a reward of 500 for
the capture of any one guilty of this act,
A bond issue Of $4,000 to complete the
water works was authorized. The bonds
will run at 4 per cent. Councilman Brown
had a resolution passed requesting the
Lacka wanna Railroad officials to place
ELECTRIC warning bells at all the flag
shdnties in the lower section OF the line.
calling attention TO the killing by a loco
motive of Mrs. Botme last Friday near
the Fifteenth street crossing.