The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-09
NO SITES FOR NEW SCHOOLS WILL BE BOUGHT BY CITY Free Textbooks Will Not Be Extended to Fifth
 Grade STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION City Would Be Unable to Build on Sites if Bought and Board
 Thinks It Best to
 EconOmize

No high school sites will be pur- chased by the city commissioners at this time and neither will the exten- sion of the free textbooks to the fifth grade at cost of $10,000 be inaugur- ated this school term as requested by the board of education.
 After a conference between the three city commissioners yesterday afternoon q statement was given out giving req sons why neither of these expenditures could be allowed by the city at the present time. Negotiations for sites for high schools in South Highlands, Woodlawn and one or two other su- burbs have been under way between real estate men and the commissioners for the past couple of weeks. Ihs commissioners had been urged to buy site and hold itsfor future use on the argument that if the site was not hought until wanted 1t would be great ly enhanced in value. The board or education has asked for money to mann tain the system of free textpooks III the first four grades of the puehc schools. which will amount to about sSOOo. and requested further that free texthool<s be extended to include the fifth grade at cost of $10,0O0 The commissioners will maintain the Tree hooks in the first four grades but will not hermit the extension to the 1lIth this year.
 This economy in public matters, IL was stated. concerned only appropri, ations which had to be made out or inc general fund All expenditures which the commissioners find neces- sarv and which theS can make out or a special fund for the purpose with chance of returning Ainancial benefits, they state, they will make.
 The formal statement given out IS as follows
 sorhe board of city commissioners au- tborizes the statement that no further extra ordinary expenses VIII be maue or extra ordinary obligations incurred Tor the present in any of the city's departne..s' unless imperiously demanded py pupnc necessity and for immediate use. ms nosition is based solely on the ground or Inc citv,s financial condition. Accordingly the city will not at this time authorize tbe extensjon of free textbooks beyond the fourth grade nor will 1t, at present. authorize the purchase of sites Tor hlgn school buildings, it being conceded that such sites cannot be now utilized. un- less the legislature affords the necessary relief the city cannot pay the interest or principle of these new obligations.
 Tt is uncertain whether or not there will be an extra session of the legislature. It is problematica whether any legisla- ture special or general, will give the city all necessary rellef. It IS douptlui whether any remedial measures, if en- acted, will take effect in the near future. so that the city can soon reitiize upon the additional sources of revenue pro vided for.
 'In the matter of the proposed expendi- lures for high school sites, it is con- ceded by all parties concerned that the city cannot build on these sites now, nor until the necessary additional revenues needed by the city shall nave been pro vided. Hence the proposed expenditure is clearly unnecessary at this time
 s.The board appreciates the benefits ac- cruing from the provisions for free text books It's economy in this respect is purely temporary.
 "It appreciates the necessity for mak- ing ample provision in the near future for the enlarged and rapidly growing re- ouirements, not only for high schools,i but for additional grammar schools and equipment The board simply takes the position that as a plain matter of busi- ness precaution it should hold the city's present expenditures down to its present source of revenue and reasonable credit