The Alaska daily empire., 1913-03-25
Juneau Takes First
 for Modern School
Continued from Page 1)

than the one that IS as Olu us uldu ou earth: Whatever you do. do it we'll And for this good reason we will take no time to discuss or advise that any additions should be made to the pres ent schoolhouse, which is, at best, a shell. After many conferences at board meetings and consultations with citizens, we have concluded that the only feasible plan is for the city to purchase the one-quarter of the school block that they do not own and that a fireproof school building shall be designed that will have not less than sixteen rooms besides large assembly hall, and a basement, fur mace rooms, etc.; that this building be so designed that one-half of it can be constructed within the next five months and be ready to house the high school, September next, and whatever other classes that may be necessary, and allow the old building to take care of the primary department and some of the other grades.
 "The advised idea is to construct this building on the upper part of the block facing Sixth street, where a cut and fill can be made leaving the lower part now leveled off for playgrounds and future use.
 ITO accomplish all of this is no tri- fling matter, since, upon advice from Judge Lyons, Delegate Wickersham and others, it is evident that the city council have no right to deed over this school property to trustees so that it could be mortgaged as security for bonds, or loan. Therefore, this idea must be laid aside. Judge Wicker sham informed us that he did not think it possible to get an act passed by Congress at this coming session which might give the city power to issue bonds for the raising of funds for the necessity of this school. Since this information came from the del egate to us direct, We do not think it wise to wait or depend on help from that source.
 However, we do believe that it will be best to prepare the way and ask Congress to do us this favor, so that ] it may be an additional security back of what we will not propose
 Now, fellow citizens it is up to us. We must have money and to get money we must give security. There will be a general increase of license money this year in every branch of business. We count on $22,OOO from the liquor licenses alone. All of the merchants will have their business in creased and will pay accordingly and many new branches will come in.
 "The general expenses of the school will be increased, of course, and the city expenses also, but we have hopes that the cost of this building can be met within three years. Under what ever system the money so necessary is raised it will finally have to be paid by the citizens and property holders of the town, therefore, as We can think of no more feasible plan to meet the emergency, we are going to ask back ing from the people-not by taking up subscription of money or asking you to put up a single dollar yourselves, or with the intent that what you will do, will ever cost you a dollar, but we want as many responsible citizens and property holders, as it is possible to get, to contribute to the support that we now ask which is to sign a note that will be security and good security at bank, or to any money lender, for whatever each of you feel that, under the circumstances, you are will ing to be responsible for, with the idea in view that the City of Juneau will take care of the debt and the in- terest thereon.
 It is our idea that as many respon- sible people as we have in our city, should give their notes, both men and women, so that the responsibility will rest with the voters who elect the city council. We have taken this occas- ion, which is on the eve of an election, and a gathering of city people, to bring this matter up, not because it is of a political nature or that there are any designs in view to influence our next council; (for at our board meeting held today the fact was admitted by us all, that we ha6 no idea of even who would be placed in nomination tonight or who would be willing to ac- cept the responsibilities as councilmen during the next term). But, we did wish to bring this matter up so that whoever may take this very respon- sible position can understand what we, the school beard, think best to ad- wise the people of Juneau as we do, and we wish to remind one and all that our efforts can only be rewarded by the satisfaction that we have done the best that we know in acting on this school board, and that we are continually reminded that there are many things that should have been done that are not in our power to do. This is a broad question, not a school board fight, and question of neces- sity for which we, the people, must provide.