New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-14

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir; At the opening Of the new school
year It would seem particularly appropriate
to scrutnize our public school policy with a
view to determining whether the wlsest
course is being pursued to secure for every
pupil the longest school day and the rlchest
educational advantages possible within the
cty's financial ability. The timeliness OF
such action is emphasized By the fact that
within the next few days the Board of Edu-
cation will present to the city authorities
departmental estimate for 1915 aggregat-
ing 100000 The magnitude Of this sum
and the Importance Of the work for which
it is to be expended make intelligent consid-
Grafton of the factors involved the duty OF
school and city officials and taxpayers alike
The part-time situation in congested
school districts has become wellnigh intol-
cradle. Despite the many efforts at solu-
toni has become increasingly acute TWO
years ago there were approximately oo,ooo
pupils on the register attending less than
five hours daily. At the close of the last
school term II was stated that this number
had increased to $4,000 Unless radical
change in policy is adopted this number
will doubtless be even greater during the
ensuing year. At the same time, there has
been rapidly growing demand for wider
opportunities for work, study and play for
every child in the system.
From a financial point OF view the at
tempt to solve this complex problem by pro-
viding a reserved seat for every child seems
out Of the question. Over year ago, be-
fore conditions had become even as pressing
as now, the Board Of Superintendent rec
commended a corporate stock expenditure of
from 100000 900 to s4O,OOO,OOo to provide new
buildings alone on this basis. This esti-
mate, moreover, was simply for initial equip
ment. Millions more would be required an
nually, in addition to the present large bud
get OF 900, to maintain and operate
the new buildings erected and to supplement
existing opportunities. Apart from any
question OF merit regarding the type OF edu-
cation contemplated, the prospect of secur-
ing such vast sums under present financial
conditions Is so remote that the necessity
for seeking q more feasible solution is i'm
perstive.
Il was largely for this reason that many
believed a commendable step forward was
taken last June, when, on the basis Of ex-
periments conducted in Public School 45, The
Bronx, and Public School SO, Brooklyn, the
Board of Education adopted for. twelve
schools In The Bronx the Gary duplicate
school plan, as adapted to New York City by
Mr. Writ. At single stroke this made pos
sble in those schools, at a relatively slight
initial cost, the elimination Of one of the most
acute part-time situations in the city, the
Ilengthening of the school day to six or more
hours and the introduction Of wider opportu-
mites for work, study and play for all chill
dren.
At the request OF the school authorities Mr.
Writ prepared last spring specific plans for
recognizing the schools in other congested
districts on a similar basis In some Of
these the type and location of existing build
ings make it possible TO effect the reorgani-
cation at a lower cost even than was neces-
sary in The Bronx. II has been estimated
by Mr.. Writ that for approximately S6,O00,-
900, expended in improving existing buildings
and sites, his duplicate school programme
could De put INTO operation throughout the
city, thereby eliminating part-time complete
ly and greatly enriching existing opportuni-
ties for work study and play for children in
all grades. Compared with the huge sums
recommended by the Board OF Superintend-
ents, this amount is so modest and the re-
suits promised are so important that most
thorough consideration Of these plans would
seem TO be incumbent upon school and city
authorities before appropriations for the