New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-13

renotit,on Of story which not only
has nothing TO do with tho Gary plan,
hut which with repetition grew from
tho story Of the single boy to boys In
general ut Public School 40. There
was doubtless no intent to misrepre-
sent in the beginning. but incomplete
fact. given in an incomplete way, are
not the best basis In the world for OPP
posing or supporting plan
No Reasons Given for Opposition.
speaking of having facts for taking
n stand on any subject. II Is Interesting
90 note that the copy OF tho protest by
the Anti-Gary League. sent to the
Board of Education yesterday and pub
llshed by "The Globe yesterday after
noon. does not contain single reason
for Directing TO tho plan. IL is re,
ported that the league has obtained
h&20 signatures, representing about 700
children in the school," and the petit
ton states that NEARLY all persons
who have refused TO sign were persons
who through unfamiliarity with tho
English language. or for other reasons.
did not understand the meaning of tho
system"
his pEfN'IlH li'N'F ''NN'N
In mathematics II there are 900 chil-
dren In the school. as there are. and n
Mrs. Ritter has replies from 5sl m
dividunl parents one parent 20 each
family. how can there bo 400 signatures
against the planf Now, this school is
not made up Of immigrant children,
but II 594 parents are for the plan. and
the Anti Garyites say that the reason
for not signing is due 70 the lack OF
familiarity with the English language
then is il more likely that the 5P' were
unfamiliar with English or the re-
naming 800 who signed against the
plan? Well. we give II up and submit
II TO some one who never heard Of the
Gary plan.
Opposition Due TO Ignorance.
Joseph Neef Is president OF the Van
derveer Taxpayers Association, and
one OF those who most strongly pro
tested against the intolerable condi-
tons prevailing IN 7. ). ~ before tho
Gary plan was installed. He ~ one OF
the parents of the school who has made
most thorough study OF the whole
system. when he was told the reasons
given by the mothers for signing the
petition he said:
II II exactly WNht L WOuiu efprN''
In my opinion whatever opposition
there Is to the Gary plan il due 20
ignorance and Misunderstanding
when it isn't due TO politics. bat ! want
TO say one thing about this canvassing.
Before the Gary plan went into opera
tion the conditions In p. s. So were
intolerable Our children were sick
theh, can tell you, from studying in
damp easements and overcrowded
rooms.
"But did these people who are now
going around protesting against plan
which has improved our children's
health do anything year ard half
ago to obtain healthy school conditions
for the children? Not bit OF Il. They
sat at home and did nothing. And now
they are working night and day 20 get
rid OF good thing.
II most emphatically believe that the
Gary plan is a good thing for ? S. SO.
u has given moro than a full school
day 20 our children and removed all
the objections that we had under the
old system Il has improved the health
of the children remarkably, and made
them more alert and interested in their
work ! can tell you that the Wander
veer Park Taxpayers Association will
go on record as approving TIE Gary
plan In p s. SO"