New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-22

Bronx, were reorganized on the work,
study and play plan. As yet they
nave received practically no equipment.
In June 1915, the Board of Education
voted TO reorganize eleven additional
schools in The Bronx on the same plan,
and the Board of Estimate voted $780,
600 for that purpose In October az a
Joint conference of the Board OF Edu-
cation and the Board Of Estimate It
was mutually agreed 10 reorganze all
part time schools on work, study and
play basis, and the Board Of Estimate
promised the Board of Education S5,-
100000 for that purpose.
10 was expressly stated that these
schools were not to be reorganized on
any one set plan. The essence of the
work, study and play organization is a
heightened school day and duplicate
school organization, which insures that
all children have the opportunity for
play. shop work, auditorium, music,
drawing and science every day, in addi-
tlOn 10 the regular amount Of academic
work. But the organization is so feX-
ible that this type of school can be
adapted 70 the particular needs Of
each district. Moreover, under such a
plan New York City can give its chill
dren the kind of work and the kind of
play and the kind Of academic work
that it thinks best for them. It does
not mean that all two hundred schools
would be recognized at once. IL does
mean that work could be begun at once
on the schools that need the fewest
changes. The money is available for
the Board of Education when it asks
for IL. The expanding of that money on
such a plan means enriching the lives
of thousands OF school children. So
far as Is known. the board has not yet
asked for the money. Why not?
The Religious Question Again.
The following letter has been re-
ceived from the Rev. William Milton
Hess, pastor of Trinity Congregational
Church, l76th Street and Washington
Avenue, The Bronx. Mr.. Hess has taken
stand against the Gary plan because,
he asserts, it brings religion into the
schools. THE Evening Mail" stated on
November 10 that the Rev. Mr.. Hess
recently had an annex TO his church
erected, and now rents the annex to
the Board Of Education for $4,000 a
year. Nine hundred children from Pub
lie School 4, Fulton Avenue and l73d
Street, go TO this annex. When the
Gary plan is put into operation the
annex will not be needed.
"My Dear Mrs. Fernandez: As per
your invitation TO the public 10 address
you on the subject of the Gary plan, |
am taking the liberty 20 write you On
account of the lateness of the hour you
had the last word in the discussion at
the meeting of the Sunrise Club on
Monday last. II | understood you right
ly, you took exception to the inclosed
constructive part of my criticism of the
Gary plan. Earnestly seeking light on
the subject, | am writing you asking
YOU to give through The Tribune your
objections TO my article on what should
be taught in the public schools.
What Objections TO This?.
Every public school In the land
should have as one Of its teachers a
teacher Of ethics and give a training
that is morTl and religious, truly re-
liPious-that is entirely and absolutely
non-sectarian A priest or a minister
or rabbi is not needed for this pur-
pose.
THE fundamentals of morals and re-
Egion can be taught without any sec
tartan bias whatever. A public school
teacher can easily specialize in such a
course in any OF our great universities.
If you want details as to what are