The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-06-07
st. Louis Public Schools Doing "Big
Business" in Waste Paper.


have recently made several appeals
urging the saving Of waste paper and
in this connection | wish TO call to the
, the attention Of the public what one
city is doing along these lines, said
Secretary of Commerce Alexander to-
day.
"The collection and sale of waste
paper in the schools of st. Louis is
rapidly assuming the aspects. of Big
business and it is expected that over
$4,000 will be secured before the close
of the schools in June" is statement
] have just read made by Stephen NJ.
Wagner, member of the board of edu-
cation at st. Louis, Mo.
This movement in st. Louis had its
inception in resolution introduced by
MIR. Wagner at board meeting several
years ago. Its purpose as outlined at
that time was to have the pupils in the
schools bring old papers, books, and
magazines to the school to be turned
over to firms dealing in waste paper.
The proceeds of all sales were to go to
the credit of the Teachers Benevolent
Annuity association, voluntary or
ganization of St. Louis teachers.
formed for the purpose of paying an
nuities TO those of its members who
retire after long service and for giving
relief TO members temporarily in need.
This movement gradually gained
impetus as its purpose became better
knbwn, Increased interest was given
the movement because of the growing
scarcity of white paper and the impor
lance of aiding in the conservation of
the existing supply.
Over one hundred thousand pupils
in 1876 schools now participate in this
work. They save old newspapers and
magazines and once a week bring them
to school where they are deposited in
proper receptacles, later TO be gathered
up and carried away.
To stimulate interest on the part of
the pupils some Of the schools have in
stituted contests with one room pitted
against another. Other contests have
been started from time to time. all
tending to arouse and keep the interest
of the pupils, In some schools ban
ner is awarded the room having the
largest collection for the week. to be
retained until some other room makes
a better record.
That the schools are not only doing a
very important work in raising money
for worthy cause, but are also of
assistance in helping to con
serve the constantly lessening supply
o. white paper. is indicated by some
Of the figures submitted.
For. the year OF 1919 the schools col
ieeted total of 90l tons of paper.
for the past seven months or since
the schools opened last September they
have collected 500 tons, of which 5l3
tons consisted of newspaper and 50
tons consisted of magazines. Prices in |
effect at the present time are a. fol. |
lows sl25 per hundred pounds for !
newspapers and 1915 per hundred for
magazines. Since the start of the pa
Der saving movement, a grand total OF
s37 ,sl3.l4 has been realized from its
sale.
An auto truck has been purchased by
he teachers association in order 10
facilitate collections OF paper and de
livery to the firms buying waste pa
Ter
Saving paper has become regular
,art of well-planned system of edu
alton for thrift in the ST Louis
ehools and the children are taught
hat great many things can be made
Use OF and have real value which
ave heretofore been thrown away
What st. Louis ia doing can be done
: any other city. Think what il would
mean To the paper situation If the ma
GRITTY of our cities would contribute
heir quota Of waste paper and think
ow much money could be earned Tor
enc worthy cause.
Attention is again called TO the fact
hat the department of commerce has
n hand a number of two publications
II waste reclamation which il will be
lad to send interested persons.