New-York tribune., 1921-10-12
Report Details
How HyIal, Has
Delayed Schools
Statement From Lockwood
Headquarters Declares
'Despotic' Rules Blocked
Purchase Of Sites
Cites Obstructive Tactics
Board of Education Tells
Of Confusion Resulting
From Too MIcl, Red Tape

The manner In which the Hylsn sd
ministration has blocked the building
Of sufficient schools, with the conse-
quent result that moro than 122, 900
children arc on part time, was set
forth in statement issued from the
headquarters of Senator Charles G.
Lockwood, at 500 Fifth Avenue, ycster-
day. The statement quotes a report of
the present Board Of Education adopt
ed June this year.
The report cites the fact that after
tho Board Of Education has selected a
scaool site the Board of Estimate and
the Comptroller only have the power to
purchase it, and continues:
"Sitcs are usually selected by tho
board several months Cor ycar) be
fore they arc actually improved, be
cause experience has taught that 1t
takes the financial officers about year
to acquire a site. Sites selected with
great care several months ago and
needed for BUILDINGS now arc not vet
available, owing largely to the dilatory
and obstructive tactics Of 2he Comp
troler."
Limit Set on Purchase
It then sets forth that the Comptrol-
Ter in his reports to the Board of EST
mate in December, 1918, and December,
1919, had laid down the "assured and
despotic' condition that no more school
sites would be bought until the Board
Of Education surrendered to the com
missioners Of the Sinking Fund school
house sites secured previously and at
that time unused.
The report then continues:
The Comptroller had in mind
among others, the chi]drou's play
grounds and certain school sites which
the Board OF Education intended to i'm
prove one year later if funds fol
buildings could be obtained.
Early in 1919 the Board OF Educa-
ton turned over to the commissioners
of the sinking fund three sites which
were not to be used for buildings.
Others have been surrendered since.
Yet the Comptroler'5 first report to
the Board of Estimate on December 26
1919, declared that no sites have been
sioncr OF the sinking fund. We We're
Informed also that the Comptroller
would not purchase q school site until
the completed plans for the building
were laid before him. This WAS re
markabe dictum when one considers
that an architect cannot prepare the
plans for building until nc sees the
and on which he is to build and
knows It's surface and natural com
position.
Tells Of Confusion Caused
"The confusion caused By such dicta
as the foregoing was illustrated by the
neglect or refusal OF the Comptroller
to proceed in the matter o. tho acquisi-
ton OF a much-needed school site at
Saratoga and Livonia avenues, Brook
lyn, in 1919. The neighboring schools
we're overrun with excess classes and
part time. On April 8. 1919. the Board
q Education selected the three desir.
able plots of vacant land. Money had
ste on December 80 1918, and was
available all through 1919. No report
vas made by the Comptroller and no
action taken in the matter of the pur-
chase Of this site within a period OF
thirteen months and ten days after
the site had been legally selected by
the Board of Education.'
Senator Lockwood" the statement
adds, ''is committed to the policy Of
cutting out all red tape in the acquisi-
tion Of school sites much needed By
the growing population in localities
where there is half-time in many OF
the schools Building cannot be done
by correspondence.