Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-09-06
TUESDAY. SEPT. 6. 1910.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF.

6iSdIost ~ eApellouScu W
day are the high school and the
grammar school. Both of these are
attended by the older pupils. Both
are attended by scholars who come
from all sections of the city. 1t is
not necessary for these children to
have school houses In their immedi-
ate neighborhoods. They are capa-
BILE of walking some distance to
their class rooms. These facts are
brought out mere, to show that it
rs a matter Of little consequence as
to the location of the schools for
the higher grades. Most important
is to have the schools.
The Westminster property seems
to offer a solution for the present
problem. The location of the build
ing is not a serious matter. AS to
the school laws requiring certain air
space, setting forth strict conditions
under which schools are to be built,
the Westminster is more easily con-
verted into such a building than
many think. The structure Is one
of the old fashioned kind with large
corridors and high ceilings. The
walls, foundation and beams are
massive, surprising anything that Is
built in the present day, excepting
the huge steel structures of the sky
seraper variety. BY tearing out
partitions, throwing several rooms
into one, and by putting in more
windows to afford light and air, the
Westminster could be made into q
very acceptable school building.
Architects who have beer consulted
as to this say that the idea is per-
fectly feasible.
But while we are discussing the
proposition Of buying the old struc-
ture to be preserved for the people
for all time, why not rent a few of
the rooms temporarily for school
purposes to relieve the congestion
that now confronts us? In Boston,
New York and many other cities
halls and vacant buildings are being
rented for this purpose. 1t is safe
to say that nowhere could a more
suitable building be found without
first making extensive alterations.
Take for instance the big dining
In the Westminster. Little
alterations would be needed to make
this an ideal school room. Then
there are the big parlors, too. Glass
es from the grammar school, made
up as nearly as possible Of children
residing in the southern section of
the city, could be placed there,
leaving the rooms in the grammar
school proper to be occupied by
classes from other sections. While
other cities are forced to use dingy
little halls and rooms built for store
purposes, Perth Amboy would have
the advantage of a real building.
The school officials will know bet
ter tonight how they stand as tc
congestion. That many pupils will
be placed on part time is already
certain. In the high school the
pupils are sitting two in a seat. AL
who have attended entertainment
and concerts in the auditorium o
the high school know what thi
means. Work done under sucl
crowded conditions must be more O.
less unsatisfactory. 1t is unfair t,
the scholars.
School No. 1 is now taking car,
of several of the grammar schoo
grades. Besides, Nos. 1 and 7 will
have about forty more pupils t,
take care of by the disc|ontinuanc,
of the parochial school of Gu
Savior's Danish Lutheran church
If the grammar grades now in No.
could be sent to the Westminster
some arrangements might be mad
whereby No. l could take care O
the high school pupils, being direct
ly across the street from the higl
school. However, these things ar,
for the city superintendent and tbs
Board of Education to settle. w
only want to emphasize the use tina
the Westminster could be put to, /