The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-05
SOCIAL CENTRE is
OPENED BY MAYOR
Starts Nicholson Schools New
Work With Talk OH City
Government.
GOVERNOR NEXT SPEAKER
Will Address Fulton Community
Gathering on Evening OF
November II.

The social centre program outlined
recently by tho school Board received
rs iirst tryout last night at tito Nichol-
son school. where 200 men. women and
children Of Fulton gathered TO hear
Mayor A!nslic discuss efficiency in tho
city government. The school audi
forum was filled and the audience
followed tho Speakers informal expo
sition Of Richmond's governmental
machinery with every evidence of deep
interest.
Principal s. p. Duke, or Nicholson
School, outlined general plan for
evening gatherings devoted 10 discus
sions Of civic subjects II * proposed
To hold meetings ia the school audi
toriuin as often az once IN two weeks,
TO which viii 30 invited for addresses
officials OF the city and State govern
ment. The next meeting viii tie held
on tho evening OF November Il. when
Governor Mann will speak on tho sub
jet, The Govcrnorship ana Its Du-
ties"
Work 10 lie Extended.
The social centre work inaupurated
last night with tho Mayors address
will he confined for the present to the
Nicholson School, The movement is
still III its Experimental stage In this
city. although il has reached imposing
proportions IN the North and Middle
West. II the response Is as ropula.
the School Board believes ii will be.
the work Will be extended to other
schools.
III addition to lectures by public
men. II Is proposed 10 throw open the
school auditorium TO the literary civic
and patriotic organizations Of thc
other public uses. Mr.. Duke told OF
tho formation Of cooking classes which
arc being attended by married and un-
married women. and are proving ex-
trcmcly popular. \ movement is on
foot also 10 form 4 sewing class Mr..
Duke said that the school Board will
provide y teacher OF sewing rs soon
as n sufficient number register to make
up Il good sized class
Mayor recommends Work.
The use Of the public schools as
evening social centres. said tho Mayor.
is a commendable employment OF the
public's property for the highest pub
lie use II" did not believe. he said
that tile oity's school buildings per
iolmeG their fullest service Ia merely
providing housing facilities for teach
ing. IN this work they are used only
six hours a day, five days in the week
and nine months IN tho year-rcmain-
ing idle tito rest OF the time. The build
ings. lie thought, should be devoted to
some form OF public service during the
idle time.
In nay opinion" said the Mayor. the
School BOARD could not do n wiser thing
than 70 arrange il series OF public Ice
lures. modelled after the Chautauqua
system. and to throw open the school
buildings in different sections Of tho
city. where people could conveniently,
conc 10 hear the lectures. | believe IL
would prove = valuable and popular
extension OF the city's educational
work"
Asks for Co-opcrntion.
The Mayor outlined briefly and m
simple form tho city's governmental
machinery, dwelling upon tho scpara-
ton OF the legislative and administra-
tive powers as provided for by the new
charter. IN spite OF criticisms here
and there that there was municipal
mismanagcmcnt. Richmond. tho Mayor
assured his audience. was rs clcanly
governed Il city as there is in the coun-
try. and its officials needed only Tho
cooperation Of the citizens TO make
It still better.
Mayor Ainslic closed his address with
an appeal 10 the citizens or Fulton To
1oln with the residents Of other Soc
tons as citizens oi one great city in
taking real interest in the munich
pal government and in aiding the Of
nc!als in their efforts 10 give the CITY
ciilcient and impartial service.
The Mayor was introduced by w
Floyd Rcams, member or the School
Board from tho lfrcr TgiS,,int