New-York tribune., 1921-01-24


Of New York high schools by cutting
down the teaching stats and loading
pupils into still larger classes"
The Teachers Union is preparing to
fight MIR. rails move to the | nit, on
the ground tNas New York schools
Should have we'll qualified and we'll
trained teachers and that this over
load of work is gradually sapping the
ability of teachers or driving them out
smother evidence of the administra-
saor's fira-cs' starving of New York
school children.
Mayor Hylan's Speech
In his speech accepting the mayor
slt nomination in 1917 Mayor Hylan
said:
''At the beginning OF school this fall
only one new school building has
opened. The part-time problem re-
manned as it was las. June, when 81 401
eE,ldren were able to receive only par
tial attention"
Alter about three years of the Hylan
administration. according TO DR.. Shall
lows fi~ures, there were we'll over 250,-
600 in part-time or makeshift classes.
Mr.. Hylan "scrapped" the Mitchell
plan to revamp exist M school build
ings and provide double use of class
rooms, saying that every child in New
York must have reserved seat"
In the last annual report submitted
by DR.. Sha low dealing with new school
l920i he said that since September,
1917 "not one new main school build
-"- c~~~ed IN the CITY Of New
York" Onlv few small additions and
portable buildings had been opened
te tsr SID.
1t was in the discussion OF his annual
report as against the present situation
that NJ Shallow told The Tribune that
in addition to the twenty-five school
buildings snow in course of construc-
ton" New York must have seventy-five
additional buildings at cost of seven
tv-five million dollars if the school sit
uation is to be handled normally.
The Hylan budget. which falls S27.-
100000 short. of ordinary school ex-
pcrses-teachers' salaries. etc.--for the
yeer 1921, however, makes new school
buildings vain hope, DR.. Shallow
agreed.
Close to Debt Limit
The Hylan administration is to-day
close to its legal debt limit. Beyond
that the city is powerless under the
law to raise smoney for any city de-
partnent.
What in your opinion will happen
II this $27,000,000 is not Forthcoming
Tor school maintainance ?" DR.. Shallow
was asked.
"There must be come kind of rene
dial legislation this winter" he said.
1T is evident that the city cannot fur,
nish these funds. The city is down to
the limit on everything. Personally.
world not lie in favor of asking the
stste to come to the rescue of the city
schools. On the other hand, l would
favor legislation at Albany giving New
York City permission to impose q di-
rect tax to cover the emergency
"The Board Of Education may meet
and resolve all manner Of schemes, but
1t requires money to carry them out.
The school finance situation as it
stands is this:
"Previous to 1916 the schools. which
were classed as non-revenue producing
improvements, were provided for out
of money from the sale OF bonds or
corporate stock Of the city; In 1915
preventing municipalities from over
lco 'in.- themselves with bonded in
dettedness. In 1916 Now York City
be-an 'pay-as-you-go' policy-half Of
it's school funds in bonds and half
from the city budget.
Bonds Were Eliminated
''In 1917 tbs was changed to one
quarter in bonds and three quarters
from the budget. In 1913 bonds were
elir mated completely. Last year the
Legislature made it possible again to
issue bonds, and now TINS is lega. But
the city has debt lnit, and againaa
bond issue is impossible. 1t is we'll to
t.lk about congestion of schools and
the great need for seventy-fve or
hundred new schools but where is the
money to come from 2"
~ here" the associate superintend-
ent was asked
ASK yourself" he replied.
"is it true the sanitary conditions
and light ng arrangements in many
SCHOOLS are very bad?" he was asked.
"The schools are in poor cond tion,"
he said, "and many buildings are in
need of ordinary repairs. The money
has been demanded but has not been
allowed"
Craig Is Accused
DR.. Shallow declared that the great
est evil is the city administration's
control of the schools through it's
,Pomptroller, who has sought to doni-
nate affairs. Comptroller Craig has
.hsmpered the work of school officials
and the Board Of Education constantly.
he said
Explaining some Of the things which
the Comptroller has been guilty of, DR..
Shadow pointed to his annual report
to the Board of Education, in which he
eharged Craig with such dicta as the
following:
"That no site for a new school
should be purchased until the com
.pleted plans for the building are
.teady' for his inspection.
.ls"Ihat sites owned by the Board of
Education in the year 1919, for in
stance. and not needed for improve
rlent until 1920 should be surrendered
70 the Sinking Fund Commission in
1919 and Sold although it might be
NECESSARY to repurchase them in 1920
or 1871 at greater cost.
fsksThat several small plots of land
Rurchased by preceding administrations
spesinca iy for needed additions to
school Fairgrounds and for the protec-
ton of light and air for existing
buildings should be regarded as 'xn-
used school sites and surrendered for
;ssls,"
.Ss. Opposed the Gary Plan
The associate superintendent, who
of' course, is an administration man
and, to an extent, reflects the ad-
:msnistration viewpoint, declared that
.pS mad opposed the Gary plan,
smstalied by tne Mitchell admins