The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-10

 In volume of 25O pages. and is exhaus- tive in every detail, everything in con- nection with the public school system be- ing explained thoroughly.
 Especially interesting is the report of Henry B. Gray, treasurer of the Board of Education. This report shows a total ex- penditure of $1O5.se5 4s. as against s105,- 57s.27, the total amount of receipts, leav- ing a balance of $207.79.
 The largest single item of expense is listed opposite the salaries of teachers and supervisors, the total expenditure in this line being $S2. 2.9os.71. Salaries of sec retary and librarian are set down for s15o5 and janitors at s7s71.O4
 The report is prefaeed by comments by w. Melville Drennen. president of the board. These comments are especially commendatory of the excellent work all ready accomplished, but also call attention to some very vital matters.
 In this connection MT. Drennen says: 'I desire to call attention to few matters thatII regard as of vital interest to the future welfare of the schools. The increase of the population within the present corporate limits of the city has been so rapid as to make the increase of our school accommodations imperative Steps should be taken at once, before the expansion takes place, to build additions to the Ullman, Lakeview and Martin schools These buildings are even now entirely inadequate, and with the pro- posed extension of the city limits, pupils that will naturally belong to these dis tricts will be without school facilities. am also of the opinion that the Paul Hayne school building must in time be disposed of for mercantile or manufac- turing purposes. It is located in a busy industrial section of the city, with rail roads and street cars on the adjacent streets becoming increasingly menace to the lives Of the children, to say nothing of the noisy traffic of the streets, which disturbs the work of the school. In my judgment the wisest solution of the diffi- culty will be the erection of an ample ad- dition to the South Highland school for the accommodation of the pupils now att tending Paul Hayne school, and the sale of the present Paul Hayne building for business purpose This idea at present may not be deemed feasible or practical, but within the next few years it is my opinion that the mercantile and industrial development of this section of the city will make it a necessity"
 More Buildings Needed. MT. Drennen also states that at least s5O0000 will be needed for the construction of new and the extending of old school buildings when Greater Birmingham be- comes reality. His remarks along this line are as follows:
 Greater Birmingham will introduce many difficult problems, whose solution will require serious consideration. Many new schools will be brought under the administration of the Board of Educa- ton, and many sections now without ade- quate school facilities will demand new buildings. I urgently recommend that the erection of small and unsubstantial school buildings be avoided. Wise economy, as well as efficient school service, require concentration. It is poor economy to build small, cheap school buildings. To meet the evident requirements of the. present city and of the added territory, the great CT city will require for the erection and equipment of school buildings not less than s50000 This sum should be raised as early as possible by the issue of bonds.''
 Financial Statement.
 
 penditures of bond fund.- 1904-07, shows the following amounts:
 RECEIPTS.
 By pond issue .-......-.............Sz0 Sz00, .00 By interest on deposit. .$6,S2925 By sale of buildings on
 site ...................... 467.50-- 7.296. 70