New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-04
URGES SCHOOL FREEDOM
Maxwell, in Report, Attacks
Estimate Board Domination.
WANTS TRADE EDUCATION
Calls for Bureau of Child Hy-
giene, Continuation Work and
Savings Banks for Pupils.

William II. Maxwell City Superin-
tendent of Schools. submitted his four
teenth annual report TO the Board of Edu-
cation yesterday.
Some of the most vital problems now
pressing upon the educational authorities
Or. Maxwell declares are:
The emancipation of the Department Of
Education from municipal control-from
sucservlvncy to the Board of Estimate ana
Apportonment and the Board Of Alder
men
The development Of school savings
banks in all schools
The establishment OF probationary
schools
The establishment of a system of con-
tnuauon schools for boys and girls who
so TO work before they are sixteen.
Inc establishment OF trade schools with
one-year and tWo-year courses to afford
instruction in the rudiments of trades FOR
CoyS and girls going into occupations in
which apprenticeship is not required or IN
which the term of apprenticeship may be
shortened because OF work done i'm trade
school.
The organization of a Bureau of Child
Hygiene. with an adequate staff of physi-
clans and nurses under the immediate di-
rection OF the Board Of Education.
In speaking Of the emancipation Of the
Department Of Education from municipal
control, Or Maxwell says:
This subserviency. which is to no small
extent the result Of oppression on the
part OF these boards hoard OF Estimate
and Board of Aldermen or of individual
officers, has wrought nothing but evil
during the past ten years. II has caused
unreasonable delay I'm the purchase Of
necessary sites and in the erection Of
necessary school buildings; il has led 10
the purchase OF unnece ssary sites. il IS
responsible for the present increase in
the number Of children on part time. IL
has crippled the schools by preventing
the appointment Of needed teachers and
viii cripple them still more next year. il
has prevented the fun use Of our bool
grounds buildings, and equipment .or the
recreation and instruction Of the people,
and il is preventing the development Of
schools to meet our greatest necd-yoca-
tional training for children who must go
to work without going 20 high school or
even completing the course Of the Gle
mcntdry school.
What Is needed is a sufficient income
raised by taxation that shall be at the
absolute disposal Of the educational au-
tharlties. subject only 10 the most rigOr-
Gus accounting.
The committee or school inquiry issued
a statement last night commenting on
Or. Maxwell's report The committee
saws there Is no basis Of fact for the
statement that the city has not been gen
crous in providing funds for school build
ings II says also that the BOARD Of rs
innate has been justified in Insisting on
the adoption by the Department Of Edu-
cation of the same business principles and
methods required by the Fire Department
and the offices Of the presidents Of the
several boroughs.
The committee further says:
The committee on school inquiry mas
had under way an investigation Of The
causes of delay i'm the construction OF
school buildings. This report is now IN
manuscript and VIII be ready for publica-
ton within ten days For the first time,
the people of New York will be told eN--
actlv from this report, who is responsible
for delays in school buildings. That is'
how much delay is chargeablc 10 the
BOARD OF Estimate. how much TO the
Board of Aldermen. how much 10 the De-
partment OF Water supply, Gas and Elec-
tricltv. how much TO the Municipal Art
Commission and how much TO the Board
Of Education.
The Department OF Education 80 the
statement saws. has bought property ana
constructed buildings without the basis OF
information essential 10 its own guidance.