New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-23
MR.. WRIT AND THE CITY'S SCHOOLS
Why His Retention for the Coming Year
Is Urgently Demanded
the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The retention Of Superintendent Writ
in the school system of the city for the next
year is an essential part of an efficiency pro-
gramme at this time. On January l, when
his present contract expires, the school au-
thorties will be in the midst of recognizing
on duplicate basis the fifty schools for
which 100000 was appropriated six
months ago. Experience in the schools which
have already been recognized has amply
demonstrated the desirabilty of retaining
Mr.. Writ not only to advise upon questions
Of equipment but also to cooperate with the
school principals in formulating their pro-
erammes. Indeed, from the point of view of
sound business, no more inappropriate time
could be imagined for disseminating his ser
vices than in the midst Of carrying out
plan of reorganization on the scale recently
undertaken.
The chief objection to retaining him has
been the plea of economy. When 1t Is real
ICED, however, what economies his services
have made possible, this argument falls to
the ground. In The Bronx, for example, he
has demonstrated that for approximately ST.
600 900, a sum no larger than the amount
necessary to erect two schools, all the chill
dren in twelve schools could not only be
taken off part-time, but be given heightened
school day and an enriched school life which
would have cost the city, under the tradi-
tonal programme, approximately $6,oOO,OOO.
In the proposed reorganization of over fifty
schools an equally striking economy has been
effected. For an expenditure of approx
mately s35O0,000 in improving existing build
ings it has been possible to eliminate practi-
cally 90 per cent OF the part-tme in the en-
tire city and to provide educational facilities
which would have cost S13,O00O0O or nearly
four times as much, under the traditional
organization. In other words, it has been
possible under the duplicate plan to secure
for a per capita cost of 1889 accommoda-
tons which would otherwise have cost
S26j.54 Moreover, through the expenditure
of Sl,900,O0O for new buildings, or a per
capita cost of $2l5, facilities will be provided
which would cost under the traditional plan
81. 100000, or s3O4.ss per capita.
From the narrow viewpoint Of dollars and
cents alone il would therefore seem that Mr..
Wrt's services TO date have been amply JUS
titled and that no more important economy
could be effected at the present critical stage
Of the general reorganization than to con-
tinue the expert services which have made
such extensive economies possible.
New York City has invested a large sum of
money in the effort to reorganize its schools
on a modern, progressive basis During the
first two years of this reorganization lack Of
sympathy with or of understanding Of the
plan delayed full accomplishment. Now, how
ever, the time is ripe for the city to realize
on its Investment and the Board OF Aldermen
can render no greater civic service in seeing
this thing through than by approving the
entire efficiency programme recommended by
the Board Of Education and the Board of
Estimate. HOWARD W. NUDD.
Director Public Education Association.
New York. Nov 2l, 1915