Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-22
DON'T DO IT

suggested Dy SeVeral out-o1-toWn
educators brought here to tell us
what we ought to have in the way of
! high schools. This newspaper is
convinced that the school board will
make a grievous mistake if it enters
into any such scheme.
The Tee hnical school is admittedly
one of the best institutions of the
kind in the country. 1t has re-
quired years to develop it to its
present high state of efficiency. 1t
is just beginning to acquire the ira
dition and school spirit so necessary
to the success of any educational
institution of its type. The report
of the experts deals solely with
buildings. But a building is not a
school. by any manner of means. 4
building is merely the shell around
the school. The school itself is the
institution, and this alone should
give those who are back of the plan
for the abandonment of the Techpi-
cal school pause for thought.
Nor does this newspaper look with
great favor upon the co-educational
plan of education for Harrisburg.
whatever may be it's successes else
where. 1t is unquestionabIy true
that the Technical High School is
better school than the co-cduca-
tional Central High School ever was.
It's spirit is better and the results
attained there are superior. This is
so apparent even to the casual OBJ
server that it requires no demonstra-
ton, but if proof is needed it can be
found in the records, we have no
doubt.
The whole rebuilding scheme has
been badly bungled. We may as
we'll admit that now. The best re-
suits have not been obtained that
could have been procured for the
money at the disposal of the board
If prompt and united action had
been taken. But let us not add an
other error to the many. Let us not
blot out of existence the only real
high school the city has for the
doubtful experiment of co-education.
Even from a dollar and cent
standpoint it would seem the height
of folly to tear out all of the ma
chinery and special equipment pro-
vided for the Technical school. do q
lot of costly remodeIing and then
pay out a lot more money for the
installation of more such machinery
and equipment in another building
to be erected at the expense of the
taxpayers. We shall have to have
more and better evidence than has
been presented to convince us that
the policy recommended is wise in
any respect.
DR.. Downes is unquestionably right
in his choice of location for the
proposed new High School. North
street. fronting on the Capitol Park
extension and facing the Technical
High School, is not only centrally
located, but to place a school there
would be to follow out the general
plan for a civic center about the
Capitol. There is some question as to
the size of this site being sufficient,
DR.. Downes believes. Very we'll, then;
does this not fit in with the idea of
enlarging the Technical High School
to take care of all the boys and the
erection of school on North. street
to house all the girls? Such a school
for girls would not have to be. nearly
so large as if designed for both boys
and girls, and the Technical High
School would be saved. The Technical
High School enlarged and a new
High School for girls. it would seem
would be the cheapest and best way
out of difficulty that might have
been avoided If bIunders had not