Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-10
REFORM SCHOOLS
NEEDS ARE
MANY
A NEW BUILDING, LOCATED OUT
SIDE SPRINGER CITY LIMITS,
is DESIRED

the State Reform school at Springer
and in the Spanish American Normal
school at Ell Rito, both Of which he
believes should receive ample support
because of the Importance and neces-
sity of the work they are doing The
treBprt OF the reform school, received
today, particularly recommends that
building be erected outside of the
town limits of Springer where more
ground can be had for the inmates to
engage in agriculture. If thisscannot
be had. then an additional building to
cost $4,000 should be built Without de-
lay as an annex to the present struc-
ture, which was at one time the Col
fax county court house. The present
building is described as unsanitary
The change Of the name from ''New
Mexico Reform schooi,' to New Mex
leo Industrial School for Boys" is
recommended, and it is said:
"The opening Of industrial depart
ments, as farming, on the scale, it has
been practiced to date, cannot keep
busy but a part OF the boys, rendering
many Of the inmates who are very lit
tie fitted by taste, Inclination or other
wise, fit for farming occupation
when released. An increase of ST 900
per anntIln for maintenance should be
added to the Regular appropriation
fund of $4,000 per annu1n, is the last
recommendation by William French,
president; A. G. Collier, secretary
treasurer; George Tindall, vice presi-
dent; Doroteo Martinez and John
Morrow, also directors.
James D. McPike is the new super
intendent, his wife is the matron L.
NJ. Granger is in charge Of farming
and live stock and Cipriano Portillos,
night watchman. The school was
changed from FL Rito to Springer in
1909. The new superintendent !, has
considerable, experience in juyeniie
work under -Judge Ben. Lindsey, al
Denver. The superintendent's report
shows that the total number Of sboys
! received up to the end of the present
fiscal year was 10, the daily average
for the year was 81, OF six less thar
could be conveniently accommodated
The majority of the boys have beer
employed on the farm and in the gar
den. The cooking, baking and genera
lhousework as we'll as some shoe and
tailor repair work are also done by
the boys, whose state Of health was
reported good, as is also the discip
: line that now prevails. Baseball, foot
lball and basketball are included in the
; outdoor sports Military drill and at
tendance at religious service are com
pulsory.
: Significant is the statement tha
: fully 95 per cent of the boys show
great deficiency in schooling. AL
boys are required to attend school bu
: the grades are so mixed that it is
difficult for one teacher to make mucl
headway, The old store room tha
has been in use for a school room is
in dilapidated condition,
About 1877 acres, 100 Of which wers
rented were cultivated. At the county
fair the school received eight frs
prizes, The garden Yielded sufficien
vegetables for the needs Of the school
The other farm products were: Al
falfa 12O tons, oats S2S bushels, whea
172 bushels, corn $50 bushels, Mexi
can beans 400 pounds, onions si1
bushels, pumpkins 1900 pounds, ant
kaffir corn ten acres
A sewer system has been completed
and other material improvement
made. A library has Oeen started. 4
phonograph has been purchased ant
a motion picture machine IS much De
sired.
The superintendent recommends th'
establishment of tag5ring, shoe max
ing, carpentry and manual training
departments and that hospital room
be provided. The appropriations ASK
ed are $4,000 for smiantenanee, $25,
900 for new building $500 for hospita
ward and $4OO for manual trainint
equipment
Rather sensational is the statemen
of the trustees that the board wal
| very fortunate in taking thaavery har,
but necessary steps of removing th'
head officer whom they had unani
mously selected on July 2, 1912, ant
Of securing the services of James D
McPike, October 8. 1913" and ''nc
need to state that the usual compile
ment Of criticism and insinuatiuns
were showered upon the board for TAX
ing the above step. The members
however. were moved only by the civil