The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-23

LANE MAKES TOUR
Of INSPECTION OF
SCHOOLS TUESDAY
In Several Instances Com
missioner Finds New
Buildings Imperative
BELIEVES SEVERAL
CAN BE REPAIRED
Trip Yesterday Embraced Institutions
in Eastern Section of City-Edu-
cation Board Fayors Bond Is
sue to Remedy Conditions

FOiiOWlng MS trip over nalt the scuoOlS
of Birmingham yesterday Judge A. o..
Lane who has been so outspoken in
his opposition to a bond issue for school
purposes, admitted that some new build
ings must be erected That he had in
structed w. o. Matthews, building In
spector. to give him an estimate of the
probable cost of some repairs which are
missioner Lane.
Unaccompanied, save by Mr.. Matthews
and DR.. Phillips, the pilgrimage over
the eastern section of the city, was begun
yesterday morning shortly after o'clock.
It is stated that the fact that Mr.. Wealth
erly had not reached the city hall Is
the reason he did not make the trip
with his colleague.
That he would continue his trip this
morning to the western portion Of the
city and inspect the buildings located
there was an announcement also from
the commissioner.
Judge Lane said that he was yet un-
convinced that any great sum of money
such as 81 100000, would be required to
effect the betterments that are wanted
badly. However, he said many of the
school buildings in the eastern part of
the city We're in fearfully dila apidated
condition and could, he believed, be re-
paired. In other instances Judge Lane
found that some new buildings were inn
perative. That such would be his for
mai opinion for the commission as a
whole, when time for action came. was
strongly indicated by Judge Lane.
The trip yesterday was conducted by
PhillinS for he hoard e61patiOn
After 30 years as head of the school sys-
tenn in birmingham, DR.. Phillips is held
to be tolerably we'll acquainted with the
actual conditions. He is also gifted with
a very happy faculty of pointing out
in general way such conditions. That
he did not fail to point out needs and
did not overlook any opportunity Of try
ing to convince Judge Lane of the se-
robustness of the situation was rather evil
given by the commissioner upon his re-
turn.
Propositions Need Remedying
"The trip / made today over the schools
il, the eastern part of the city disclosed
some conditions that need remedying,"
said Judge Lane. Il am convinced that
some new buildings will be required to
correct the situation that seems to be
worrying the school officials. l also think
that so far as ] can judge the condi-
tions that ii will be quite possible to re-
pair some of the present buildings thus
relieving them of that distressing ap-
pellation horrible unfit, deplorable,
and the like. I have requested Mr.. Mat
thews, our building inspector, who ac-
companied DIR. Phillips and T. to get me
up an estimate at once as to what re-
pairs can be made consistently and ap-
proximately what cost will be involved,
expect that information without de-
lay. AS to the new buildings that will
be settled later.
II am not arrayed against adequate
school facilities and will do all that I
can to consistently protect the city's
finances as well as promote the interest
of educational work in Birmingham
Weatherly Makes Trip Today
1t is understood that Commissioner
James Weatherly, who failed to make
&C INJECTIONS for the trip yesterday, will
go on the western inspection this morn
ing? Mr.. Weatherly has been over the
schools lately and Is perhaps better ac-
quainted with the exact situation than
any of the commissioners. He WILL there
fore, not require quite as much detail
1t is believed that the promised quick
action of the commission on the school
issue will be given within the next few
days.
The inspections have been brought about
by the request of the board of educa-
tion for 81 100000 to be expended over
n period of years for more school build
ings. That such bond issue is neces-
sary is the position of the school board
while the commissioners seem to think
otherwise.