Evening journal., 1916-03-22
LABOR HEARS Of
School PROBLEMS
Principal Scott and DR..
Washburn Explain Needs
OF Board of Education
UNION MEN ASK
ABOUT PAVING MONEY

ABOUT PAVING MONEY
Conditions existing in the city pub
ic school buildings were described
by DR.. Victor d. Washburn. a member
Of the Board of Public Education and
Professor Clifford J. Scott, of the pub
tic schools to members OF the Central
Labor Union at the meeting of that
body last night John II. Hickey,
president of the Central Labor Union.
extended an invitation to DR.. Wash
burn TO address the delegates. Or.
Washburn commended the men of the
body for their interest in public mat
.ers.
"As a member of the Board of Edu-
cation of Wilmington" said DR.. Wash
burn. Il desire to place before you
workers and the public, some facts
about the physical side of our educa-
tional system. I may say some things
which you already know exist and no
doubt, l will tell you some things you
would not stand for. IL you mad known
they had existed. While the schools
arr supposed to represent the desires
of the people the average man or wo-
man does not take the proper inter
est I'm the school system that he or
she should"
The speaker referred to the finan-
cial condition of the school board. He
SAID there we're 1900 new pupils in
he schools and many Of the build
ings we're badly in need of repairs,
the blackboards out of condition. the
heating systems poor. new window
shades needed and other improve
ments should be made.
Lets take Wilmington from the
foot OF the list and give our school
plant the proper recognition by build
ing it up until II reaches a point
where it is a modern and efficient
system that has but few faults. Let
us cooperate and ask City Council
TO assist in correcting the system" i"
President Hickey introduced Cliff
ford J. Scott, superintendent of
schools.
'If ther~ is anything wrong with
the school system" said Mr.. Scott,
''you are the ones TO know. Every
educational problem is a financial
problem. Existence depends on the
measure of support financially. The
parents are demanding good schools
better schools.
The city that doesn't demand bet
ter schools is neglecting its future
welfare. That city is the best that
does the most for its boys and girls.
Does Wilmington find 1t necessary to
spend more per capita than other
cities? Can Wilmington have good
schools for the same amount as other
cities? For less. Mr.. Scott then
read statistics from other cities with
population around 10000 showing the
average that city should spend on
schools. He told OF the amount re-
,eived by the Wilmington Board OF
Education and showed that it was
not sufficient to successfully cope
with the educational question. He
explained that Wilmington had no
special schools wherein children that
are backward could be taught in the
necessary branches. The janitor SER
vice Is inadequate in most OF the
buildings and more than 5000 chill
dren sit in unadjustable desks. He
praised the school teachers. He said
they deserve the city's praise for the
welfare work they have engaged in
On behalf OF the boys and girls. The
sneaker stated that public schools
cannot prosper without harmony He
osked for the help of the Central
= Dor Union "for the good Of VIII
n ngton." The delegates applauded
Nr Scott's remarks heartily.
The following letter was received
rom William b. Megear, president OF
he Chamber OF Commerce:
wilmington, Del, March 8, 1916.
Mr.. Walter C. Davis, Jr.,
Secretary Central Labor Union,
wilmington, Del.
Dear Sir: / want TO thank you FOL
your kind expressions contained II
your letter OF March and ! am alsC
pleased to learn that your organiza
ton agrees with the policy as out
lined in my address before the Cham
Der of Commerce March z.
1T shall be my aim to do what
consider is right, in order to obtsiI
the best results for the business In
'erests OF Wilmington.
yours very truly,
(Signed) william B. Megear."
The question OF Hueet paving W"
also considered by the members and th
following resolution on the suble'
adopted.
Whereas. Persistent rumors are
the effect that the Street and Sewe
Department pays a sum around $1,000
annually to about 40 employees for 81
pervision alone, and
Whereas, It is being said on IL
streets that money which was appr'
priated for the paving Of streets on II
list Of streets TO be paved" was sal
to be used for paying back bills instea
Of for the purposes intended, and
Whereas, The majority of streets {