Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-04-18

MAKE EARNEST PLEAS
Proceedings Enlivened by Frank
Spink's Reply to Julian Y. Will
liam's Interruption.

The joint committee on schools ant
finance met last night in the Chambe
of the Common Council for the, pur
pose of hearing statements from rep
resentatives of the different organi
cations Of the city which are urging
the erection at the earliest momen
of a new high school building. Rep
resentatives of the Chamber of Com
merce, Retail Merchants, fraterna
and labor organizations, the church
ETC., were present, as we'll as severa
ladies who are interested in the move
ment.
The committee entered the chamber
shortly after eight o'clock and wher
the chairman, Alderman Henry K
Field, called the assembly, to order the
enclosure outside the bar was densely
packed and every seat on the floor
occupied.
Mr.. Field announced that the COM
mittees were ready to hear statements
from those present, and Rev. W j
Morton, rector of Christ Church.
arose. He said he was present for
the good of the community as we'll as
in the interest of humanity, as educa-
ton, was most important in LIES con-
tests as we'll as in the competition to
which the present generation is sub
iecteG Alexandria, he said, was re-
garded as the cradle Of public schools
in Virginia, such an institution having
been founded in an old building twice
condemned in recent years by grand
jurieS. He alleged that the congested
condition in this old structure rend-
cred it unfit for the purposes for
which it is. being used, and said one
of his children contracted skin dis
ease in this building. Mr.. Morton
charged that Alexandria was fifty
years behind in public schools in Viz
ginia, and that the University of Vir-
ginia did not recognize our system.
Mr.. Morton received round of ap-
plause at the close of his remarks.
Mr.. Field extended an invitation to
any of the ladies present to make any
suggestions they might deem proper,
when Mrs. John Leadbeater arose.
Among other things she said she was
the mother of five children, and was
considering the advisability of moving
to Washington in order that they
might secure suitable education. She,
however, preferred to remain in Alex
andria, but realized the Importance of
her children being properly tutored.
H. T. Colvin, of the Alexandria
Trades Council was the next speaker.
He said the meeting had been called
at the instance of the organizations
embraced in the Alexandria Trades
Council, Daughters of America, Mac
cabees, Owls, Junior Order Ameri-
can Mechanics and other organiza-
lions, embracing two thousand men,
who, with their GamiSesk 'formeH
one-half of the population of the city.
He said a majority of the children
who attended public schools are the
offspring of working men. He refer
red to the congested condition of the
old building adjoinplg Washington
School, and read statistics OF the
school population, number OF STU
dents, etc, which had been furnish
ed him by the clerk of the City
School Board. Among other things
he said, demand should be MADE
upon the city for new building. Inc
speaker said he had no plan to SUD-
nit as to the financing OF the move
ment. but was satisfied the City
Council was able to handle that enc
of it.
Mr.. Colvin, at the conclusion OF his
remarks, which brought forth mucf
applause introduced President J. "
Collins, of The Alexandria Trades
Council. Mr.. Collins said the organ
ization over which he presided EN-
braced eighteen branches of organi
ed labor, and he spoke for a few
minutes on lines similar to those fol
lowed by the preceding speaker; H
said organized labor was here t
stay.
R. NJ. sPerttyman, of the Black