Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-05-28
EDUCATION BOARD
WILL INVESTIGATE
ACCESSIBILITY of Joining Archi-
tecturaI and Engineering De-
partments to Be Discussed.


Further investigation into the cost
IF maintenance of the present
sdouble-decked" construction depart
ment will be made by the building
committee of the Board of Education.
Inquiry into the present system has
developed the fact that the city prac-
tieally pays as much for the super
vision of repair work in the schools
az for the actual work.
A subcommittee of four members,
composed of Commissioners Ambrose
Toml<ins, Charles p. Taylor, Gaetano
n. Belfatto and Thomas ]. ID. Smith,
was yesterday appointed to investi-
gate the advisability and feasibility
of merging the engineering and~areh-
ltectural departments under one head.
such a plan would mean a considera-
Die saving to the city annually.
The proposition to merge the two
departments was first preached some
time ago when the minority faction
Of the board sought to have Supervis-
ing Engineer George w. Knight re-
moved from office under charges of
dishonesty and misuse of the city's
AAA4tcs Al AlAAb AlAAA1f AAONCNNAs viz
board stood 5 to in favor of Knight
md the charges were dismissed. Since
then It has developed, however, that
me of the majority faction members
voted for the retention of Knight
simply because he was of the opinion
hat the charges were not substan-
:fated, and he was therefore adverse
% branding the engineer with the
stigma of dishonesty.
The present investigation will be
undertaken at the request of the
BOARD a communication from whom
vas received at yesterdays session
If the committee. 1t is pointed out
hat a thorough investigation of the
question will take about a month
Tor this reason, it has been decided
10 defer any report until the June
meeting of the board, on the last
Thursday of the month.
That the board is spending too
much at present in the maintenance
II these two departments is an ad-
nitted fact It has been pointed out
lime and again that efficient super
Yision coulds be had at a great re-
1uction in the present cost by a
merging of the two departments.
With reference to the matter Com
missioner Tompl1ins declared that he
lad communicated with a large num-
Der of cities throughout the country
md had received replies from nine
cen. In almost every instance, he
aid, only one construction depart
nent is maintained. He pointed out
hat. under the present arrangement. |
where the city spends 81 for actual |
york. q similar amount is paid for |
supervision.
As proof for this statement he sub
nitted figures to show that during
he past year the repair branch of |
he engineering department cost
s,523, while the supervision for the
work. cost $3.50
Commissioner Taylor contended that
he wisdom of allowing the depart
nents in question to remain as they |
ire at present is well founded. He
declared that no one visited the new
fhools that have been erected, but
hat they are struck by the beauty |
nd completeness of their construc-
Ion.
Commissioner Nathaniel King, who !
q the past has stood with the ma
Gritty in refusing to demand the |
Of Mr.. Knight, thought |
he proposition was worth consider |
aga If it can be shown that the |
lergg ring of the departments will save |
honey for the city, without Interior |
IL ins any way with the efficiency of |
ae supervision, he thought that the |
roposition should be considered seri- |
lsly.
Bids were received by the COM
dttee Tor the installation of new
md gas fixtures at the New
IN Sire, It School Three concerns !
admitted proposals for the work |
I'D the co ntract was awarded to the
rowe Con lpany, the low bidder.
The bids were as follows: The |
rowe Com .pany. s1,65O; Art Craft
fixture Con qpany. s1,7OO, and Jaeh-
ing Gas Fl Eture Company, $1,927.