The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-22
AINSL|E FAvORS
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Richmond Is Largest City in
Union Without Such
Utility.
CORNERSTONE AT BELLEVUE
Mayor Advocates Use of School
Buildings by People of
Neighborhood.

That Richmond is to-day the largest
city in the United State swithout
public library was pointed out by
Mayor George Ainslic in an address at
the new Bellevue Public School corner
stone ceremonies yesterday afternoon,
while erecting a handsome new school
h Ulding. of modern design, 20 cost
more than $4,000 without equipment
The Mayor called attention TO the fact
that 9s per cent of the pupils entering
the public schools of Richmond do not
receive a high school education; that
the school buildings i'm which Richmond
has invested great fortune are used
for but few hours day. FIVE days in
the week. and that nothing has been
done for the education of those grown
ups and children out of school who in
other cities secure great advantages
through school lectures and the eX-
tended use of a free circulating pubic
library. amply equipped and properly
administered.
Masonic Exercises.
The cornerstone exercises were heid
in the presence OF a largo gathering OF
East End people. including many pat
rons of the schools and school ofhciais
The Masonic ceremonies were in charge
of Henrico Lodge. No. $50. escorted by
Richmond Commandery, No. ? The
music was furnished by large chorus
of children.
Mavor Ainsiie in his address urged
that there be no silly notions OF false
economy in dealing With tho schools,
saying that the appropriations made 10
them had proved the best invest men
the city makes. After telling some
thing of the history of old Bellevue
and the advance the city has made in
school building during the last five years
the Mayor said.
Idle Most of the Time.
The people of this city have up
wards of 81. 10000 of their money IN
vested in such properties. but. except
in few instances. they are used only
six hours a day for five days in the
week during nine months in the year
Thus they remain idle for three whole
months for four whole week days
in every other month, and for eighteen
hours in every other week day. There
are many legitimate uses TO which
these buildings could and should be
put during d part at least of the time
they are Idle. which would be OF i'm
mense advantage TO the people OF this
city / would like TO sec the school
buildings become the social centres OF
their immediate neighborhOoda. where
the people would meet and take coun-
sci of each other upon such questions
as concerned their welfare. where they
could hold meetings for their own i'm
provement and entertainment ! would
like to see the School Board inaugurate
a system of public lectures upon help
full subjects and TO use the school
assembly rooms for that purpose.
Why should not we grownups use our
school buildings for our own educa-
ton as we'll as for that of our children
I would like to see the school grounds
made a part of the muniyipai play
grounds system. I believe that prop
erty that is owned by the people should
be freely used for any purpose bene-
fetal TO the people that is germane to
the object for which il was acquired.
Out OF every 100 children that enter
the elementary schools in Richmond.
only ten go 20 the High School, and OF
the ten that enter the High School only
two graduate. OF the graduates only
40 per cent continue their education
in other institutions of learning
Need Of Public Libraries.
The best that any system of what
we call education can do for the in
dividuaI il to develop and train his
mental machinery so that he can run
il by himself TO good advantage and TO
teach him how TO And his place in the
books / have told you that ninety
eight of each 100 children that enter the
district schools do not go through the
Hi Ugh School. and thus they start out IN
life with a serious handicap To the
two who stick 1t out we give diploma.
an afectionatc goodbye, and we tell
them they must now strike out and
swim for themselves. Yet we provide
no water for them 20 swim in. but in
stead we throw them overheard into
the sands of the desert. If even one
of them has gained thirst for know
ledge, II may not be quenched at any
well provided by us. and the other
ninety-nine are in a hopeless fix, indeed.
for 20 our shame IL is said that Rich
rnond IL the largest city in the United
States without public library How
long shall We have 10 explain and
apologize for our lack Of one, How
long shall we continue to give stones to
those who beg for bready Let us hope
that this fitting and necessary cap
stone to our educational system viii
soon matcrialize through the united
efforts of all Of those who appreciate
IT. necessity
n a r a -