Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-12-15
VOTE TO EMPLOY
BUILDING EXPERT
Continued from page l
Continued from page l

| the matter Of danger in emptyin2
the third floor rooms in case OF
panic, but in the climbing of so
many stairs, and perhaps other OBJ
jections.
ct was estimated that the cost
Of the former plan, viz: remodeling
the present building into an eight.
room school, would be in the neigh
borhood of $4,000 while the cost
under the three-story plan would
be from $4,000 to $4,000.
Under either pan we would face
the necessity of providing additional
facilities in the way of school
building or buildings, and this
brought us to consideration of the
use of the Baldwin street school
building and the old Academy build
ing on North New street. The latter
so we are informed, is held by trus-
tees and under the terms of their
trust it is prescribed merely that
the building shall be used for edu-
catiOnal purposes. 1t is now in use
by the Beverley Manor District
School Board. but will be vacated at
the end of the current session, and
will be available to the city for its
school purposes at practically no cost
except adaptation of the building to
modern requirements, etc. But it
is estimated that the cost of improv-
ing and fitting this building will per-
haps run as high as $4,000.
Patrons Fear Building.
''The Baldwin street building has
not been used since June, 1910, just
before the cavern occurred. AS it
seems to be the general belief would
refuse to permit their children to
attend school in it. And this is
but natural. Under the present cir
cumstances it would be indefensible
to attempt to use it or compel it's
use. Some concession must be made
to that sentiment, or opinion, or be-
iief-call it what you Withheld by
very large number of the school pa
irons who regard the building and
its foundations as unsafe At the
same time to the lay intelligence an
inspection shows the building to be
n external and internal appearance
practically sound and safe struc-
ture, and since it represents an in
vestment of at least $4,000 of the
peoples money, it should not incon-
tinently and lightly be consigned to
the scrap-heap.
Your committee, as we'll as the
School Board, have come to the de-
tiberate and fixed conclusion that the
subject of the Baldwin street build
ing is the keystone of the whole
school-building proposition. Upon
he question as to whether this build
.ng can be used for school purposes
Or not, depend all other plans. If it
is available we shall need fewer
rooms elsewhere; if it is not avail
able, we shall need more facilities
elsewhere
Request Early Action.
"The School Board, concurring
unanimously in this view. has re-
quested that steps be taken prompt
ly to have the question as to the
availability of the Baldwin street
building for school use determined.
We recommend, therefore, that
the council proceed at once to secure
the best expert opinion obtainable
on the subject, covering the struc-
tural condition of the building it.
self, it's foundations and the posi-
bility of danger in it's use by reason
Of underground conditions. In this
connection it may be necessary to Sc
cure the services of two experts, but
whatever shall be done, we believe
that an opinion should be secured
which will be thorough, unquestion-
ably authoritative and final on the
subject. 1t is more than probable
that building engineer of practical
experience may be found who will
possess the necessary qualifications.
We recommend further that a
committee of not less than one mem
Der nor more than three be appointed
to act in the NATTER