Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-06-16
COAL FoR THE SCHOOLS.

One Of the most contemplate
combinations to fix prices and take
advantage Of a popular desire to
p~atronize home trade is the local
coal trust" in its bid to supply coal
for the public schools of this city. If
there ever has been a time when the
Board Of Education needs every cent
It can get hold of it is this year when
two additions are being built to the
schools, when extra teachers must be
hired to take charge of the new
4 rooms and when the increasing
number of scholars that clamor for
admission will be greater than ever.
This means added expense all along
the line. Not only must new books
be secured for the increased number
of pupils, and more supplies be
bought to provide for them, but old
books that have been worn out must
be replaced, and so on. This year
the school board is allowed only a
little over $4,000 more money than
last year. This additional sum will
no more than take care of the Ordi-
nary increases in running expenses
| due to the additions to the schools
and the greater number of pupils.
There is nothing to provide for new
courses or the enlargement Of some
that have already been established.
State statistics show that in pro-
portion TO population, Perth Amboy
gives less money for her public
schools than any city in New Jersey.
The fact that our schools maintain
their position in the front ranks
under these circumstances speaks
wonders for Superintendent Shull
and the men who have our education
| al system in charge. But other cities
are not only taking care of the in
creased attendance, but they are
adding new features, adopting the
more modern ideas, opening night
| schools and the like. If Perth Amboy
is to maintain her position she must
do likewise. The people of this city
are justly proud of their schools and
are anxious that they be allowed
every cent possible for their ad-
vancement-alI except the coal deal
ers, apparently. The men who
supply the coal may join the others
In praising the schools and urging
liberal appropriations, but when
their opportunity comes to show
their patriotism and local pride, they
balk. They must have their pound
of flesh"
II is little short of robbery, when
the schools are in such need of
for the eoaA dealers to oorp-'
bine-ln the way they have and insist
upon Sc and 1925 per ton for coal
when in some nearby towns private
individuals buy it cheaper than that,
ton at a time, all winter long. For
a few paltry dollars to fatten their
own pockets the local coal dealers
would rob the children Of their
education. The great need of the
schools, the effort being made to
make a dollar go as far as possible
and the universal desire to do every
thing to aid them does not concern
The coal dealers when their own
pockets are affected. Taking advan-
tage of the patriotism and city loyal
ty of the people at large to trade al
home and buy in Perth Amboy,"
these men have banded together to
secure every dollar they can for
themselves, pushing the price of coal
as high as they dare and planning to
divide this educational blood
money between themselves.
What action the Board of Educa-
ton will finally take in the matter
We 90 not know. The bids were re-
ferred to the building committee
with power. other cities have been
up against the same proposition.
Some have submitted to the extortion
while others have fought the matter
out and have saved money. AS a
suggestion TO the local board we
quote the following from a New
York morning paper showing how
the borough of Brooklyn succeeded
along this line;