The New York herald., 1921-09-13
HYLAN SCHOOL HEAD
ADMITS NEFF|C|ENCY
Prall Tells Meyer Committee
Mayor Wrote Letters but
Got No Improvement.
CALLS SYSTEM WASTEFUL
Would Divorce Joint Control
Of Board Of Estimate and
Board of Education.
CALLS SYSTEM WASTEFUL

The Hylan administration has done
practically nothing during it's four
years in Office to relieve or improve
overcrowded conditions in the public
schools. according to admissions made
yesterday by Aiming S. Prall, presi-
dent Of the Board of Education. testi-
flying before the Meyer committee In
City Hall. Mayor Hylan wrote letters
periodically to the board urging thut
seats be provided for pupils. but little
or nothing happened.
When the Mayor took Office he
made this declaration. which Elon r.
Brown, counsel for the State investi-
eating committee. read from the
records of the Board of Estimate:
THE people OF this city elected a
new administration to do three things
for the schools-eliminate the Gary
plan; build more schools, so that every
child may be accommodated properly,
and reduce part time"
Achievements Summarized.
The achievements of the adminstra-
ton OF the Hylan Board of Education
were summed up by Mr.. Prall as fol-
lows:
I. The Gary plan. which was de-
nounced by Hylan in his campaign four
years ago as capitalistic system. has
been totally eliminated" from the
schools, but in Its place has been sub
stituted the Ettinser plan. Mr.. Prall
admitted that the Gary and Ettinger
plans are practically Identical The
difference was defined by Mr.. Brown as
about the same as between tweedledec
and twecdlcdum. Mr.. Prall admitted
finally that the Meyer committee would
have to call the Superintendent of
Schools TO locate the real difference.
Tho big campaign promise Of four years
ago has been kept by the simple scheme
OF changing names.
2. When the Hylan administra tion
took hold there were 4s.969 pupils in
part time classes. Mr.. Prall estimated
that the number of children receiving
rart time instruction with the opening
o. the schools yesterday Is 4e.s7S. These
Other officials In the educational system
estimated yesterday the part time stu
dents would number closer to 1000
Mr.. Prall's estimate is bas.i on an al
lcwance OF two pupils for each new seat
III divided In the schools.
3. There was 81 100000 available for
specific school Improvements. including
new buildings and additions. when
hylan entered office. This was left over
by the Mitchell administration. and con-
tracts for which 1t provided were re-
Scinded and rcappropriatcd by the Hylan
administration, and In the process a
years time was lost. Only half dozen
now schools were opened in 1918. 1919
and 1920. These. with the twelve new
schools opened yesterday. provide only
1900 seats.
Defends school OnicisIs.
Political sauabbling between City
Hall. the Comptroller's Office and the
Board Of Education Is not responsible
for delays in building and the tardy
progress OF providing new schools when
there Is ample money available TO erect
tho buildings. Mr.. Prall contended. He
defended school officials who have been
aHsalled by the Mayor and Comptroller.
Mr.. Brown read n history Of tho build
ing OF Public School 100. in Baxter
street. showing how for exactly twenty
years officials had been fussing over
plans for the building. revislng and re-
modelling. The Hyian administration
has fused around" with that same
plan for four years, and the building Is
not completed yet.
what Is the trouble with your sys-
TEN. that is what | want TO know7" Mr..
Brown asked. rs such system as now
exists In New York adequate and effl-
Gent for equpping the city with
schools?"
enc. II is not" Mr.. Prall answered.
II notice that every time a contract
is let II has to 20 through a long rig
marolc OF recommendations. adoptIons
by the Board OF Education and Board
OF Estimate. approval by this and that
bureau. and go on. and then after all
Nr