The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-20
FREE TEXTBOOKS
IN CITY SCHOOLS
Finance Committee Recommends
That All Pupils BE Sup
piled Gratis.
HIGHER WAGES APPROVED
Ihirty-Five Thousand Dollars
Added to Expenses at
One Fell Swoop.

| frcc textbooks in all OF the public
| schools of tho city, and general In
crease OF per cent. in the pay OF ali
poiicemen, flremen. fire alarm en-
ployes, street cleaners and Street De-
partment hands were recommended 70
the Council by the COMMITTEES on
fiiance last night. The free text
oooks arc estimated to cost $4,000 n.
year, ana the salary Increases entail
an additional annual charge on ihc
city of S2i.l313l
MT. ruler. member of the Finance
committee. has been the patron OF the
tfce textbook measure, and he pro-
sehted TO the committee last night n
wealth OF figures compiled from many
cities. The committee had before heard
from Superintendent J. a G. Chandler,
OF the City School Board. who, after
much correspondence, estimated that
the city could supply text books In all
grades from beginners TO High school
graduates at general average of
hetwccn 90 and SO cents per pupil,
I that being the average of many cities
where the system is now in vogue. If
approved by this City Council. the new
! system Will take effect September 10
next and only then II the State Board
OF Education will approve the list of
BOOKS selected by the city authori-
tics.
Cost IL $4,000 Per Ycnr.
The resolution carries an approprla-
ton of $4,000 for the frst year, and
pledges tho city to $4,000 annually
thereafter. which DIR. Chandler esu-
mates should bc ample until the school
enrolment now about $4,000, passes
the 10000 mark, when the appropria-
ton must increase in proportion to
the number of pupils. Mr.. Fuller
urged that the city now provides the
teachers, the school houses, the desks
und other equipment, and that IL was
the part of wisdom to make the plant
complete. especially as II appears that
many pupils drop out OF school as the
cost OF books advance. and that com
paratively few white children Will
submit to the conditions under which
free books are now supplied TO in
digents.
In order to take advantage OF the
free textbooks. pupils now in attend :
ance on the public schools must at the
close of this session, surrender the
hooks they are now using or have com
pletcd, on the assurance Of the city
that q new get OF advanced textbooks
will be supplied at the beginning OF
the next session, suitable to The ad-
VI need classes. The city. of course.
will have 10 provide complete outfit
for new pupils, but the free textbook
| law will not apply TO the children or
nom residents. who, in addition to pay
ing tuition. Will have to continue 10
supply their own books.
VIII Buy Wholesale.
The resolution turns the fund over
! books wholesale. according TO approved
| lists, and a portion OF 1t may be used
for the maintenance OF horse ana
wagon and the employment of mes
| senger 10 distribute the hooks ct the
various schools, where they will be
| issued to pupils, under supervision Of
the principals. All books lost or mutt
lated must be replaced at the cost OF
pupils. who cannot secure new books at
the beginning Of a session unless those
used during the former session were
turned In before school closed.
Salaries Increased.
Increases OF pay recommended by the
Committee on Finance are in the nature
| of a compromise. most OF the DEPART
! ments affected having asked 10 per
| cent. and other grades of !ncrense.
The Board OF Fire Commissioners
fixes the grade and number of ircmon
and FIRE alarm employees. the Council
merely appropriating blanket sum for
Fire Department and Fro Alarm De-
partment pay rolls, the pay rolls or
! iremen for the past year having been
S140.6So. and for fire alarm service
$1,000. While not attempting TO fix
! the grade or number OF fremen In any
| way. the city will. If the resolution is
| approved. provide per cent. additional
for each fund, so that the Fire Board
may make such an increase in the pay
of the various grades of hremen the
sCa Ia hni a rrn for
bauoners, call men. engine men and
| tremcn
Police Department.
The ordinance recommended makes a
| fiat increase in the pay of the Chief of
Police from $4,000 to $4,000 per an
| mum. ALI other grades of employees Of
| the department are increased pei
! cent Hat. The present pay roll Of the
! Police Department is Sl7i,O26.25, the
amount being liked at present as fol-
! lows: Captains $1,000; sergeants. SLIGO;
| privates. per day. s2.75; secretary OF
| board. $1,000; janitors. $500; llnemen
| $500; patrol drivers, S720; matron, $500;
machlnists, $500. At the rate now fixed
| privatcs in the Police Department
working every day In the year, receive
l,0o3.75 the Increase. If adopted. max
| ing this sl.o54.S5. or an increase oil
1885, cents per day each.
| Tho Chief of the Fire Department
now receives $4,000 per annum, the
assistant chiefs and secretary. sl.50C
per annum each the Superintendent OF
Dire Alarm, $500; station captains
S1,1O0; enginemen, s1.0So; fremen, Glass
a, $500; Glass B. 1921. and Glass c
! sea; operators and inspectors, $1,000
| each.
In the Street Cleaning Department
| hands employed as day laborers arc
paid 50 per day each, the appropriation
| for hands and carts in the Street De-
| partment being $4,000. and for pay
| roll ~ street cleanerS S1n6 ono TIN