The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-03
STAMFORD
Especial to The Times.)

stratford, July S-While a number of the members of the Board of Edu- cation of Stratford feel that the Ben Jamin property on West Broad street, Stratford avenue and Beardsley ave- rue, with the fine old brick house, would he an ideal spot for high school site. the old building to be re- modelled and used for d school for few years, the offer of Mrs. Jessie Benjamin to sell the property con sisting of about 10 acres with build ings for the sum of 1000. was turn ed down at the meeting of the board on Tuesday evening. One of the req sons for turning down the offer which had been made was as the price was considered too high. If lower price was put on this property members of the board state that they might con- sider the matter and ask the town for authority to purchase the prop erty.
 While some of the board members are enthusiastic over the purchase of this property for a high school there are citizens of the town who are against the proposition for other req sons than the price. First Selectman James Lally stated last night that he did not believe in remodeling any old building for q high school. What Stratford wants when she builds a high school Is something substantially a building adequate for many years to come. I am against any make shift proposition for this town," he said.
 Others have expressed themselves = thinking the building was too far from the center of population. aI- though they admit the land is excel lent for room for a fine building, playground and a park.
 Mrs. Benjamin. who owns this prop erty, desires to sell all her holdligs in that section and not a part of them. and the land includes over four acres on the west side of Beardsley avenue. This land. which has often been spoken of as ideal for a park. would make a fine addition to the parks of the town.
 The large building on the property contains 16 rooms. all with high cei1- ings and could be converted into n school house good for a number of years. according to members of the Board of Education, with the expen- diture of n very small sum of money. A few windows would have to be cut in and some moro toilets installed. Tho building is practically fire proof and undoubtedly would answer the purpose for a number of years. The site of the building facing the Broad street green and the Stiles Judson fountain is a very pleasant one and in years 10 come would be appreciat- ed by the residents of the town.
 Some time ago the Rev. M. J. O'Coonor. pastor of St. James church. suggested that the town ac- duire this property as hospital as he felt that with the growing town a building for the sick would be need ed. Nothing was done with his sug- Eestion. however.
 In tho event of the town of Strat- ford agreeing to the purchase of this property or of any other property about the town for a high school, the voters would be asked to ratify the action of the last legislature at Hart ford at which authority was given the town to borrow on bonds the sum of s10O.0OO for school purposes. As much of this s10O,0O0 as would be needed could be spent for a school site and the balance. if any. used to build additional rooms in the grade schools
 Members of the School Board are still looking for sites for a high school and expect before many weeks to be able to report co the town and ask for money enough to purchase so that there is, at least, land to build tho building on owned by Stratford. even if 1t is not possible to erect the building right away.
 Automobile drivers going through the town of Stratford are going to be made obey the law. as instructions have been given to the members of the police force by both Mayor Lal- ly and Chief Nichols, to stop every one going along the streets of Strnt- ford and either warn or arrest them Particularly at night are there infrac- tions of the law, mainly regarding the z proper lights. numbers of machines going through the town with no tail lights lighted or with improper head lights. Speeding through the center is to be stopped and if the drivers do not heed the warnings given by the police. who are very lenient with of lenders, some arrests will be made and Judge Curtis given an opportun- ity to decide how much money shall be paid as fines.
 It has proven. during the last few evenings. source of much entertain ment to the men who gather nightly at the center to watch the machines go through. see which have lights out and then look at the police. Sergt- Smith, or Officers Bigeiow, Barnum or Holmes, to see if they also see the lights out. It very seldom happens that a machine with a light out can escape Ine eyS or these of ficers and the shrili whistle can be heard blown by one of the men in uniform which is a signal for the driver to stop his machine. The ma jority of the drivers stop at once when this whistle is heard and make good any omissions. Most of the drivers who have lights out do not know 1t until their attention is called by the police as the jarring of the aGh hfrn Others who deliberately try to get away with the bother of lighting up. put on speed to get away from the police. These drivers are the ones who may have to pay a penalty for not paying attention to the orders of the law.
 The event of this evening will be the annual free fire works display to be given by the members of the