New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-10
Schools Bad,
PraIl Admits:
Shifts Blame
tesntiausd ssem psas oael

sssbsoI buildings was $5,436,9SS, while
curing the period OF the same number
~ years under the present so-ealled
yx,sn administration, during She years
1Sts. 7s49. 1899 and 1891, there has
sssn spent for the repairs of public
seheol buildings the sum OF s10.64T,-
s7as--or more than twice as much has
hsen snent. notwithstanding the err
roneous reports and confusing percen-
tsfss sent broadcast by the Public Edu-
,ation Association Of this city.
sDn behalf Ct the Hoard OF Educss
4ion beg TO assure the citizens Of
New York that this board does net and
will not evsde any responsibility with
xs,,ch it may be charged auriaw this
ADMINISTRATION, but | do wish to assure
Ire oareAes OF this city that the Board
Of Education aud the city administers
lion. Of which NJ aver Hvlan Is the mead,
already have under construction, some
completed and others nearing compile
ton. and which viii be ready for occu-
nancy al the beginning Of the fall term,
teenty-seven new elementary school
building costing $25, 100000. and that
it has already adopted and approved a
building program comprising:
"Forsy-seven new elementary schools,
six new high schools, one new parental
school, ore new training school for
teachers. enc vocational school and
twenty-six portable additions to build
iHgs.
sThis makes grand total of 10s
school buildings and additions, at an
estimated cost of over SIS 600 900.
which when completed viii provide
seat Ter every child on part time in the
whole City Of New York and which is
the greatest public school building pro
gram ever contemplated by any NUM-
cipality in any part OF the world. To
compare the achievements In the matter
of public school accommodations for
the bess interest Of the children of
this great city with the achievements
Of any other administration during the
history Of this city would be riaicu-
lous. Not only will no other admins
tYation afford comparison with this
enc, but | AM glad indeed to go further
and claim with at least some pride that
no other city in the world has ever ct
tempted to match this great achieve
ment.
~You will also observe. if you care to
investigate, that many of the new
school buildings included in this great
building program are intended to re-
lieve many Of the conditions about
which your committee complains with
respect to the schools set up IN your
report
AZ wish to call your attention to an
other condition that must be given CON
sheraton in this connection. and that
Is that when the consolidation Of FIVE
counties was effected IN 1927. or about
twenty-four years ago, the City of New
York assumed as q part Of the legacy
the school buildings Of many villages
and towns included within the boun-
dary lines of the greater city Many
Of the school buildings included in
those villages and towns, and even in
the cities Of New York and Brooklyn.
were very cid at that time The school
population of the whole city was CON
stantly Increasing and former admins
haticns have not made provisions for
this increase by the erection OF new
school buildings fast enough to keen
pace with it.
'The increase in the school popula-
ten of this city requires the building
Of ten ordinary school buildings annu-
ally
q also wish to call your attention to
another fact in connection with the
public school building situation in this
city.
#0n January l, 1918, when this ad-
ministraticn assumed control. there
was not an existing contract for now
building or an addition TO an old build
ing in the whole city. Much may be
said regarding seating accomm odations
at this particular moment, but I doubt
II these reports made for political pur-
poses during this municipal campaign
year will fool the people, especially
the parents Of the children who are
we'll informed and know Of the efforts
this administration is making to pro-
vide new public school buildings as
rapidly as possible for the benefit Of
the children Of this city"
In the detailed report concerning the
condition Of the forty schools Visited
by the women Mr.. Prall's reply can be
summarized as follows:
Manhattan
Public School 11-sanitary conditions
are said to he excellent. Otherwise
two reports agree. New forty-eight
room school is to be built to relieve
this school,
Public School 13--Reports agree, ex-
eept superintendent declares twenty
seven rooms nave been painted this
year
Public School 15-Ra2orts practically
agree, except for minor details.
Public School 16-Reports agree in
general buck passed on lighting.
Public Scnool 18-Both reports agree
school ought to be condemned
Public School -Superintendent's
report states entire interior has just
been renovated on the Fourteenth
street building, and rest will be com
pleted this year. Otherwise reports
agree.
Public School 22-Reports agree.
Public School 39--Reports agree.
Public School 51--Outside of new
root, just completed, both reports j
agree.
Public School 57--superintendent's
report unable 10 refute charges Of
women. Il is stated 1921 program con
templates twenty-four room addition to
selteve congestion.
Public School 1o6-Both reports in
agreement. Repairs will be made this
year, and 1913 program calls for new
1orty-elght room building to relieve
cengested conditions.
agree.
Julia Riehman High School Reports
agree, but superintendent feels hurt
~ statement that it is notorious
fire trap.
=. Public School AZ (for deaf pupils
, mOmens charges not even answered.;
1sd Programme said to contemplate
ne" school for deaf
The Bronx
Public School 1--Repairs will be
made this year.