Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1922-11-02
CALLAHAN TELLS
OF INSPECTION
CALLS ATTENTION TO THE
CONDITION OF LOCAL
HIGH SCHOOL


clerk, John NJ Callahan, state super
intendent of public instruction, calls
attention to the condition of the Wau-
sau High school Following is the
letter he wrote:
"Dear Sir:
t"On October 10 Supervisor Giles
of this department visited your high
school in company with High School
Visitor t. l.. Jones of the University
of Wisconsin. I have been much in
terested in some features of Mr.. Giles
report which were discussed at some
length with your principal and super
intendent and which are now being
presented for consideration to your
board
"Any visitor to your high school
would be struck at once by the seri-
Gus overcrowding, which now exists
in the building. About LOO pupils
are being herded in a building origin
ally irtenden to accommodate $50.
This fact means inconvenience and
difficulty with respect to organiza
ton, but a serious hazard to the
health and safety of these pupils as
we'll as depriving them of adequate
facilities for education.
with reference to the first point
our supervisor believes that the or
ganization of the school is being ham
died as well as could be expected
Your principal has the problem well
in hand and there is an excellent
morale evident in the school. The
passing of classes is accomplished
with a minimum of confusion on the
part of the pupils. The discipline of
the school is such as to respect the
individuality of the boys and girls
with an almost entire absence of mill
tary features. An unusually large
and difficult study room is controlled
with a minimum show of authority
One is impressed everywhere with the
spirit of industry and good will among
both pupils and teachers.
"On the second point of health and
safety the situation is not so salts
factory. The fact that the building
is more than 100 per cent over-crowd-
ed is in itself an indication that both
health and safety are jeopardized.
Rhen one considers, moreover, that
the building is an old one, compare
lively, in which the provisions for air
space, floor space, ventilation and
proper lighting fail to conform to
present standards, the need for imme-
diate relief is quite apparent In case
of fire during school hours the hazard
would be great in spite of efficient fire
drills, because of the infiammable
character of the building construc-
ton and the fact that every available
room on three floors and basement is
being used for classes.
"In this connection it is noted in
the supervisors report that the rules
of the Industrial Commission are be-
{ ing violated in the absence of panic
bolts on the exit doors of the build
ing. Under present conditions every
precaution should be taken by your
board to safeguard the LOO pupils in
this building from danger to health or
life and this order of the commission
should be complied with without fur
ther delay.
'The third indictment against your
high school building is that it does
not afford the educational facilities
which modern school should offer
Physical education is seriously ham
pered by the lack of an adequate GYM
nasium. Training in the manual and
fine arts is impossible on any ade-
quate scale. The sciences are seri-
ously handicapped by inadequate lab
oratory facilities and even the aca-
demic subjects are carried on under
difficulties. This, indeed, is the most
serious result of the overcrowding
and the most convincing argument for
prompt action on the part of those
responsible for a continuation of the
present situation.
"Other cities facing similar condi-
lions have already taken steps to pro-
vide relief. In Marinette, Green Bay,
Appleton, Manitowoc, Sheboygan.
West Allis, Beloit, Evansville, Fond
du Lac, Madison, Stevens Point, and
many smaller cities of the state, new
high school buildings are either I'M
der contract, under construction or
recently completed The fact that
at the very best another year must
be spent in planning and in building
before relief can come in Wausau to
the situation set out above means that
start cannot be made too early.
With respect to a building pro-
gram our supervisor agrees heartily
with that proposed by your board in
the statement headed The Truth
About Our Schools. The arguments
and facts presented in that article
seem incontrovertible. The plan here
advocated would undoubtedly afford
the relief sought in the most economi-
cal and at the same time the most
equitable way for all sections of the
city. 1t is my earnest hope that your
board will be granted authority in the
near future to proceed along the lines
indicated in that excellent statement.
1.-The report Of our supervisor in
dicates, then, that the instruction and
administration of your high school is
being carried on as satisfactorily as
may be under difficult conditions. For
the sake of the welfare of the boys
and girls, differences of opinion
and personal preference should be put
aside and all should work together
to improve these conditions"
At Merrill the boys start in young.
Last week four youths were rounded
on who had heeu terrorizinQ tho CITY