Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-01-21
DEPLORABl-E CR0WDlNG
IN HIGH SCHOOL ROOMS
Coming Down From Richmond In
Time to See Daily Session, the
Visitor Finds Janitor Sweeping
Dusty Room Filled With Pupils
Equipment Deemed inadequate.

Many able arguments in favor OF
the erection of a new High school
in Newport News and some scath-
ing criticisms of conditions existing
IN the Central school building were
made last night by State Superinten-
dent CT Public Instruction y. ID.
Eggieston. Jr., in an address before a
public meeting in the First PfesDy-
terrain church under the auspices OF
the Newport News Educational AS
ISOLATION. The attendance was rather
disappointing to the officers OF the
association and at first the audience
seemed to be somewhat cold. but
much interest and enthusiasm had
been aroused before Me Eggleston
concluded his address.
After stating that small audiences
never disheartened him. Mr.. Eggles-
ton said that he had spent the entire
day visiting the schools OF Newport
News. He said that he was almost
totally ignorant of school conditions
i'm the cities of Virginia as this was
the second city school system that
he had visited during his term OF
Office. He declared that he was Civ
ing about 100 per cent. of his time
to the upbuilding CT the schools IN
the rural districts.
Expected New Building.
u was astCnished TO find that you
rad no separate High school build
ing here" declared the speaker.
thought that you had one OF those
old fashioned buildings and that you
proposed TO discard it and build new
one"
Leaving fer the time being the dis
cussiCn OF the High school. the State
SUPERINTENDENT said that he proposed
20 tell exactly what he saw in the
schools. Some of the things were
good and some of them bad. He de-
clared that he was especially pleased
with the neatness CT the school rooms
and with the bright pictures with
which the walls were adorned. He
also heard some excellent reading by
the pupils in the various school
rooms. The language was above the
average, but the writing. ! am sorry
to say, was far below par" continued
the speaker.
There was one thing which was
particularly Objectionable. While the
NCIt sun Oht u 49,
school rooms I saw a ianitor sweep
ing that room and raising great
clouds of dust That was little short
of criminal, 1t was menance to the
health CT those children The raising
OF dust in the school rooms at any
time is a menance to the health oil
the children. The school board
should either have the floors oiled to
keep down the dust or provide vac
cum system Of cleaning the rooms.
Bad Ventilation.
Mr.. Eggleston went on to say that
in some OF the rooms the ventilation
was good. but that in few the
ventilation was bad, so bad in one
room that he could not remain in IL.
Some OF the rooms also were over
heated. he said
Turning his attention to the Cen
trail school building. in which the
High scnOol classes are located Mr.
EggIeston began a scathing arTsign-
ment Of conditions. He scored the
overcrowded rooms In this building
and particularly in the High school.
re declared that some Of the classes
we're taught in rooms that were poor
Ily lighted and about one-fourth as
large as they should be- The chemi-
cal Iabatory. he said. is entirely too
small and the equipment inadequate.
In passing he paid high tribute to
the cooking. sewing and manual train
ing departments Of the High school.
Coming back to the discussion Of
the needs for a High school build
inr. Mr.. Egxlestou said that the peo-
ple Of this city who are opposed 90
The movement for the building OF a
Hizh schcci should Be taken 10 the
Central school aEd shown the condi-
sinrg there. NneB I came here
did not know whether you needed a
High school building. bat know
now declared the speaker amid ap-
plausc
II there is anything that makes NJ
tired 10 - the man who goes around
and says be is a business man and
he doesn't want a High school be-
cause the ciiy cant AFFORD H. I say
that you could not build q factory
that would enhance the vaiue of
property IN this cry any more than
High schocl boiIdiux u VII heip