Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-04-14

INFORMED uitu tboe r.,
falling off in the applications from
families for permits to enter Tue
nublic schools. Some time ago as
bich as FIVE were issued IN one
family but now families were applying
for one two or three. These decreased
were apparent in many households.
He thought it a good movement to
AJAX Mr.. Carlln to furnish the figure:
Of the government, and if any mistake
had been made it should, Of course, be
corrected.
DR.. Smith was sure the census which
had been taken was substantially correct
| and that the board should abide by it
The federal census would show it to be
correct.
Mr.. Brockett said the federal cen
sus showed gain in the clty's
population OF about 700, and it was
to have been supposed that this would
have resulted in an increased
number Of children eligible for
the public schools. II the children
we're in Alexandria he wanted the
CITY credited with them. He suggested
that all the colored children may not
have been enumerated. He believed
if another census were taken it would
be money we'll expended. If the sum
Of $3.50 we're spent the outlay would De
matter Of business.
DR. Smith said the expenditure Of
more money in this direction would be
as futile as pouring water down a rat
hole. The board was already -, ooo
behind and had asked Council to make
up the deficit; hence he was opposed to
SPEEDING any more money for an add
tional census.
Capt. Bryant said nothing could be
done in the matter without authority
from the board Of public instruction.
The Chamber Of Commerce could do
nothing.
Mr.. Brockett still insisted that the
matter was worth trial. II the chi.
dren are in the city, we should have
the money. DR.. Smith observed that
while the School Board felt thankful
to the Chamber Of Commerce tor the
interest it had manifested in the mat
ter, he wanted it understood that the
School Board was in every way equally
interested, and that the latter had done
all that could have been expected OF
them by the peope OF the city and toe
City Council He repeated that ne
was averse to spending any more
money in taking another census.
A general interchange Of opinion
followed which was participated 10 by
nearly all the members and IN which
previous statements were repeated.
Dr.. Smith said be did not regard the
interest shown by the Chamber OF
Commerce as ofiiciousness, but in the
public COOL. The committee, OF that
organization however, had not been
authorized to spend any more money,
but they wanted the School Board to
order an appropriation for the addI-
tional census.
Mr.. Kirk said be thought the ne"
census should be taken even If no ma
terial benefit resulted. A committee
OF the School Board had few nights
ago appeared before Council and asked
for an appropriation of $4,000 for
new boys school, A majority of the
members of tue Common Council, he
said. are member of the Chamber OF
Commerce, and il the School Board
showed its zeal in attempting to get the
sum it bad heretofore received from
the state, it would have a beneficial
effect toward obtaining the appropra-
ton for the proposed school He
thought the School Board should stand
in with the Chamber of Commerce.
Capt. Bryant said the matter Of the
school census vas closed and if 1t could
be shown there we're 5000 additional
children in the city, it would be impos-
sible to obtain any more money from
the state during the next five years.
Mr.. Howard p,opounded certain
questions. He was informed of the
fact that Alexandria is not the only
city in Virginia which has shown a
falling off. The same thing, it was
stated, is apparent all over the com.
monWealth.
Mr.. Cater suggested that the rise of
suburban towns was the cause OF this
state of affairs. He cited instances
where numbers Of families had moved
to towns outside the limits Of Alexan
dria.
After some further interchange Of
opinion, Capt Bryant suggested that 1t
would be better to wait until State Su-
perintendent Eggleston replied to Su-
perintendent SHecney's communica-
ton.
The board adjourned about nine
O'Clock.