The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-24
BOARD OF CONTROL
OF BOYS SCHOOL IN
ANNUAL MEETING
Agricultural Demonstration
on School Farm to
Be Given
WEAKLEY REPORTS
YEAR OF PROGRESS
Work on Extensive improvements to
Begin as Soon as Board Receives
Money From State-Given
Concert by Band

Reelection of the board of contro
with Mrs r. d. Johnson as chairman
An announcement by Commissioner OF
Aariculture Reuben F. Kolb that an
Agriculture demonstration would be
given soon looking to the improve
ment of the methods now IN use on the
school farm, and a very satisfactory
and interesting report by Superintend-
ent D. M weakley we're the features
of the meeting Of the board OF CON
troll OF the Alabama Boys Industrial
school at East Lake yesterday.
Commissioners Kolb was the only ex-
officio member of the board present
ATTORNEY General Brickell and Governor
O'Neal were the Two absent members.
The ladies composing the board stated
that the large farm operated by the
school was not producing satisfactory
results and Captain Kolb promised
them that an agricultural expert would
be sent to the school as soon as the
spripg weather set in and farm DEM
onstration work would be done until
the farm was put upon a more sat
isfactory working basis. ~
New buildings for the school have
been planned for some time, but these
are held up awaiting the Appropriation
of $4,000 made by the last state leg
islature This appropriation was made
with the provision attached that 1T
was TO be taken out of the treasury
AT the governors discretion. Governor
OfNeal as vet has not seen ft TO turn
over the money. The members of the
board stated the work on the contem-
iplated improvements would begin i'm
mediately upon receipt of the appro-
priation.
The board assembled in the Alabama
building at IL o'clock yesterday morn
ing for It's fourteenth session. Mrs.
Johnson presided. Other members of
the board present were Mrs. Erwin
Craighead of Mobile, Mrs. Thomas M.
Owen of Montgomery, Mrs. Milton
Humes of Huntsville. Mrs. T. G. Bush
and Mrs. A. w. Nelson of Birmingham.
The president, secretary, treasurer
and superintendent submitted reports
showing the years work and growth OF
the school. An affidavit from Examiner
of Publicc Accounts B. f. Wilkinson
was to the effect that the books and
vouchers of the officers of the insti-
tuition were correct and properly kept
The board was served dinner at the
school and in the afternoon a concert
by the school band and q drill was wit
messed while the different buildings
were inspected.
Superintendent weakley's report wai
as follows:
ITO the Board of Control:
Ladies and Gentlemen-Another 1:
months have added to the history oi
this institution and it again becomes
Of n IN n
pear before this honorable body and
make a report covering the improve
ments made, general conditions, etc
during the past year and also for your
consideration touch on matters of flu
ture improvements and make such rec
cmmendation as to him may seem ur-
gent and necessary.
January !, 1912. there were in
school, 222.
january 1, 1918. there were in
school, 262
Received since school began. 1882.
"Discharges since school began, IT'S.
"Received year 1912, III.
'Discharged year 1912, 1876.
Reports from paroled pupils dur
ing the past year have proven unusu-
ally satisfactory, and many letters
reach us thanking the institution for
training and advantages given and as
suring us of avowed intentions to
stick to the right and accomplish
something worth while. Numbers OF
our pupils are filling responsible po-
sitions of trust, not only in the city OF
Birmingham or the state of Alabama
but throughout our southland. Some
are In the public schools and higher in
stitutions of learning, others married
and in homes of their own, working al
trades they started while with us
Numbers are members of the army and
navy and l have vet to hear of a single
one who has not reported himself il
such manner as to reflect credit or
himself and the institution. In thi,
connection I wish to state, leaving ou
the few children who should be classeC
as detectives, and who should be IL
homes for feeble minded. / do not hes
itate in saying the pupils of this in
stitution will not ssuffer by comparison
with pupils of their same age in tn,
public schools. They have only as
sayed to follow their own inclinations
often with no restraining hand tc
guide, and things that ruin and destroy
have been put to them in an attract.
i've light--they have looked at life
from the wrong side The physical
mental and moral condition of these
children classed as Juvenile delinquents
not criminals-is largely due ekhei
70 hereditary tendencies or environ
ments. If their environment plays suct
an important part in the lives of thes,
misguided children, the state of Ala.
bama has done a sensible and human,
act by building and supporting an in.
stitution where :hey can be removed
from this power that ruins
"True, owing to lack of founds. w.
have not buildings. equipment. etc.
that compare favorably with some in
stitutions, but we have feeling o
good will. loyalty and esprit de corp
among the student body that is no