The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-05
SCHOOLS IN NEED
 OF IMPROVEMENT Official Inspection of Western
 Section Yesterday FIRE ESCAPES NEEDED As a Whole, However, Board of Edu cation Considers the Suburban
 School Buildings Very
 Creditable.

The schools of West End, Elyton, Ens- ley, Wylam, Pratt City and Graymount were inspected yesterday by the Board of Education, and as a result it is apparent that large sum of money will of neces- sity be expended In making the various buildings conform in every particular to the regulations demanded by the city of Birmingham.
 The party making the inspection was made up as follows: John L. Parker, pres ident, and Ben M. Jacobs, Col. John W. Tomlnson, Col. Sam Will John and pr. E. P. Hogan, the membership of the board; Dr. J. H. Phillips, superintendent of the schools of the city, and his assistant, Prof. c. B. Glenn; A. V. Bennett, chief of the fire department; M. O. Matthews, building inspector, and Charles Eckerle, plumbing inspector; pr. McLester, the physician of the board and Special h. spector for the Board Stewart; W. o. Whilden, architect, and a reporter of The Age-Herald. The party left Birmingham in five automobiles at 10 o'clock yester- day morning, went direct to West End, then to Elyton, then to Ensley. where a joint session of the Board of Education and the old board of Ensley occurred, and where at o'clock dinner was had; then to Vivian, then to Pratt City, then to Graymont, then back to Birmingham proper. Next week the board will make a similar inspection of the school build ings to the east of Birmingham proper.
 ,4 hot Ja- tails be. mentioned in regard to the in- spection, and the opinion concerning the same as expressed by the members of the board, it is true that in many of the school buildings state of affairs exists which in the opinion of Chief Bennett, Building Inspector Matthews and Plumb ing Inspector Eckerle, is most unfortun- ate. In the majority of the buildings the danger from fire Is considered great. In many there is insufficient ventilation. In many the sanitation is exceedingly poor. In many there Is dearth of fire es- capes. In many stairways are so mar row that they are menaces to children in time of danger.
 The buildings, as a whole, however, were considered good. The finest spirit among the teachers, pupils, parents and former members of boards of education was found to exist. The jont meeting at Ensley was little less than love feast. Each side promised to support the other and each agreed to put aside differences that might formerly have existed and CO., operate for the good of education in the city of Birmingham. The old board mem- bers of Ensley were given the promise that tuition will be free In Ensley as it has always been, even when the High school is completed and in operation, this being true in spite of the fact that such action has not been taken in reference to the schools of Birmingham proper.
 The members of the board have gone on record as determined to put Into effect fin the suburbs the same conditions that have been effective in Birmingham for long while. Work has already been start ed toward the elimination of the danger which exists in various schools from fires and other sources. The board went on record, too, as being determined to raise the standard of the schools in all the suburbs.
 Throughout the suburbs visited there are about 20 schools and several thousand buildings are fine ones, and are consid- cred creditable to the old municipalities which constructed them.