Norwich bulletin., 1915-07-31
FOR TRADE SCHOOL.
Chamber of Commerce Wants School Retained and Special Building Erect ed for 1t.

The chamber of commerce meeting on Thursday evening at Odd Fellows hall devoted its attention to the trade school going on record in favor of retaining the school here, and instruct ing a committee to find out exactly what sort of a building will be need ed, and how 1t can be paid for; and making its findings as public as pos sfble. Considering the heat. the at tendance, the largest of the year, went to show the interest that has been aroused, and twenty different persons took part in the debate.
 The subject was introduced by the president, Clinton s. Andem, who call ed upon Frederick J. Trinder, assist ant secretary of the state board of education with special jurisdiction over trade schools, to speak MT. Trinder, who came to Putnam for the purpose, in response to the invitation of the CNmmittee, went back to the beginning of the movement, which resulted in establishing the school here. He gave figures as to the amount of money which had been spent here. He showed how inadequate the present hired building is to care for even the pres ent scale of operation; and that larger and more suitable quarters would be absolutely necessary if the school IS to have the development that it should.
 If the town will erect building at
 
 continue the present machine shop, wood working, and electrical depart ments, with added floor space and equipment; add largely to the cotton department, so as to give the complete process from bale to cloth; and install the machines needed to teach the woolen and silk branches as we'll The state will provide heat, light, power and janitor service, as well as the teaching force.
 By comparison with what other towns offer to secure a state trade school NIT. Trinder showed what good bargain Putnam is offered, and was so convincing on this point that Judge L. H. Fuller's remarks on look ing a gift horse in the mouth eltcited hearty applause. This phase Of the subject seemed to be new to many present, who had the impression that the state was trying to get the city to defray what should be a state ex- pense Another surprise to some was the statement that the state would probably not continue indefinitely to maintain the school as it is at present, in case the town would not provide a building; for there are 52 towns that have applied for schools, and the board can only put them where there Is the most demand, measured by what the people of the town are willing to do in help.
 
 Arthur D. Lown, chairman of the chambers comnnittee on the subject. spoke at length on the value of a trade school properly run The pres ent school. with its cramped quarters, limited equipment and no evening classes for employed men and boys. was of very little value indeed From experience with the trade schools of Fall River and New Bedford, he said that there were more than ten times as many pupils in the evening as at the day sessions. About 10 per cent. of the men in responsible positions in Fall River mills, from second hands up to superintendents, either are stu dents or graduates Of the trade school there.
 Evening Glasses Commenced.
 J. P. Geaudreau, boss weaver, and value of such a school, and of men who would attend evening classes. MT. said that he owed his rise
 Chester E- Child and Q. s. sAndem asked questions and raised possible emphasizing especially the need of keeping the tax rate down.
 Alexander Gilman, James H Cutler, Dr. Omer 1aRue and others spoke in favur of <he. plan. and on motion of John q. McGarry the meeting by a as in favor of keeping the school here. It was then voted to appoint a. com-t mfttee to secure definite plans for such asschoo1 building, and for fanac- ing fhe same: to give them publicity, and to take steps to bring the mat ter before the voters. It is understood that the land. owned by the town. on