Evening journal., 1919-12-11
POINTS WAY TO
GET new SCHOOLS
Continued from First Page.

Legislature be asked 70 authorize a
bond issue 70 cover the debt. unless a
better method could be found.
George B. Miller, president Of the
State Board Of Educaiion. promptly
pointed out that Wilmington could OBJ
tain considerable financial assistance
TO rebuild and equip It schools at any
time the city so desired, by accepting
the new School Code. BY such action
The city would be able to gain monetary
aid from the Delaware Auxiliary AssO-
cioation, which has administration Of
he p. s. dupont funds Of 100000
for white and SjO0000 for colored
schools. But the city must accept the
new code voluntarily. Mr.. Miller de-
clared with emphasis.
Shermer II. Stradlay, chairman OF the
finance committee OF the school Board,
gave a vivid word picture Of the I'M
businesslike system Of keeping public
school accounts. on suggestion Of Mr..
scott, the Alumni Association ordered
the project for a new High School
athletic field, and authorized the ap-
p0iniment Of a committee TO further
&C. Frank C.. Hughes presided at tho
meeting, and J.. Robert Winner was
secretary.
Mr.. Stradsey frankly declared he had
found the business system employed by
The Board OF Education deficient I'm that
~ failed TO provide proper check on the
various accounts Of the body. Thus 70
was difficult 20 determine how the
finances Of the various committees
stood or the exact condition OF the ac-
counts Of the board generally. This re-
suited In fictitious balances which were
entirely misleading. As chairman OF
the finance committee he had tried 70
see 20 ii that each OF the committees Of
the board had lived within It's approprla-
lions. This. however, was impossible
because by reason OF these fictitious
balances. the finance committee was
unable to keep proper tab on expendl-
lures.
As a remedy for the present chaotic
state Of affairs I'm the clty's school sys-
tenn he recommended that the alumni
begin now 10 rtorest themselves
acutely In the Board Of Educati0n's af-
fairs and pick ont good men 10 support
as candidates when the school elections
come around in June, 1921.
Mr. Stradley urged the members OF
the alumni 10 attend the school board
meetings and induce the public as much
MS possible 10 attend lie said he had
heard lots Of unjust criticism OF the
board and AGAIN he had heard a great
deal that was Just.
What the board most needs lust now
Is a capable business manager" declar-
ed Mr. Stradley, "Ono who viii not
spend only part Of his time attending TO
Its affairs but an his time Ifthis were
done the taxpayers would get better
results"
Mr. St-ad'ey cited The criticism which
had ben directed AGAINST the expendl-
ture Of 1920 for an insurance appraisal
81 the city's school property. II con-
sidor the money well spent" he added.
when II Is considered that Il has
shown us that although the city's High
School property is worth $4,000 at
he very l-ast, yet Il was insured for
only $4,000.
What would the taxpayers say" he
added. "were the High school bYildlng
10 burn down. and they should find out
they would have 10 make up tremend-
Ous loss becaue Of lack OF insurance?
The appraisal will tel the citizens ex-
actly what the school buildings they
own are worth. and they then viii
know how much insurance should be
carried-not by Tiaphazard guess work,
but by actual. exact valuation"
In conclusion, Mr.. Stradley declared
the responsibilities Of the Board Of
Education were greater than ever be-
fore IN the city's history. and the prob
lem confronting It OF properly edu-
eating the children OF the municipality
was Of greatest Importance. He felt
nnslflVn be sid That IL members Of