Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-21
NEWPORT NEWS. VA. THURSDAY. ArRlL u 1910

Mr.. Read wanted to know II II was
not fact that there was considerable
friction between the school board and
city council OF Newport News. VT
ness replied that while there had been
some talk on the part of individual
members. he did not know OF any Of
fetal friction between the two bodies.
Answering a question rs 10 the con
dit.ons IN the city schools. Prof. Jen-
kins said that since the erection OF
new building on Jeffersoa avenue
there WIS no crowding in the school
houses, although he admitted that
there was a necessity for new High
school building. Asked TO explain
what he meant by saying that the en-
rollment in the schools would increase
if they were taken into the city. wit
ness said that this was invariably the
case.
Elizabeth City's Schools Good.
Mr.. Cumming asked II It was not
a fact that the Elizabeth City county
public schools were as well equipped
and conducted as any in the state.
either in cities or in counties. Wit
ness replied that this was true as TO
the white schools. although the colored
schools are not graded and equipped
as are the colored schools of the city.
Mr. Cumming brought out the state
ment that the new George Wythe
school. across Salter's creek from the
city limits Is on n par with any public
school in the state There was some
question as TO The exact distance OF
this building from the limits OF
the city. In answer to questions by
Mr. Cumming. Prof. Jenkins indicat-
ed on map. which had been filed
by Mr. Massie. all of the city public
schools. with a brief description OF
each. Witness said that the total in
come of Newport News for school pur-
poses for this year was about $40 coo.
and admitted in response to a query
from Mr.. Cumming that S4.300-more
than ten per cent of the total income
was expended for janitor service.
Mr. Cumming brought out figures to
show the per capita cost of education
in Newport News.
Mr. Cumming questioned the witness
closely as to whether or not there
is serious friction between the coun-
ell and the school board of the city
of Newport News. Mr. Jenkins adj
miited that there had been criticisms
of the board and of the council by
individual members, but he was not
prepared to say that the friction in
Newport News was more acute than
that to be found existing in other
cities and counties of the state.
Answering a question by MIR. Mas
sic. Prof jenkins said that the
schools Of Newport News were pro-
gressive and up-to-Gate and that there
were no better anywhere IN the state.
It was brought out that there are 70
public school teachers.
Mr. Read asked if 1t was not a
fact that the increase in school popa-
lar in Newport News was unusually
rapid. Witness said that this had
been a fact because Newport News
was a new city.
Fire Fighting Problem.
Chief w. X. Stow. of the Newport
News fire department, was the next
witness. He testified that on Ivy ave
nue. the county had reel given by
the city and 500 feet of hose bought
in 1909 for fighting fire: that there
were nc fire fighting facilities in the
county al the upper end of Chestnut
avenue on Parrish avenue. He
did not think any fire company was
maintsined on Ivy avenue. Nearly
he said. are frame. The city depart
ment has been called upon to fight
fires in this section. The witness
described the city fire department and
indicated on the map the location Of
the three stations. he said that the
East End fire station could take care
of the territory proposed to be an
nexed in the easterly section, provid-
ed a completely equipped new sta
ton at or about Jefferson avenue and
Ninteenth street Witness told of va
rious fires on Ivy avenue his depart
ment had been called upon 10 fight
Questioned by Mr.. Read. witne-s
said thst most of the buildings in the
territory in question were low. ne
explained that under the contract
water pressure. one serviceab!e
stream OF water could be gotten IRON
plug Mr.. Read brought out that
the cost OF establishing a new fire
station like the city East End station
would be about $4,000.
Answering a question 6y Mr.. Cum
ming the chief said that he Thought
he had been 10 FIRE in the Elizabeth
City territory between Chestnut ave
nee and the creek. but he could not
stste positively about that Judge
Montague asked about the time the
Hampton Ere department came to