Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-30
PRAISE AND ASSA|L
REPORT ON SCHOOLS
Finsgan Survey Condemns
Building Equipment and Fa-
vors Elective Board
MRS. .LINGELBACH PLEASED

soIaCc superintendent OK FuOlN IN
struction, last night. brought varied
opinions regarding its merits today
from members Of the Board Of Educa.
tion.
Some approved the findings Of the
survey, others expressed disapproval.
In his report DR.. Finesan favored
Board Of Education Of from FIVE to
nine members elected by popular vote,
more extensive building program, more
teachers from outside Of Philadelphia
and general improvement in the eco.
nomic course in the SCHOOLS.
He said the condition Of many Of the
schools was 'dcplorable and that 10000
children were on half time. Eighty
million dollars is needed to put the
schools in proper physical shape, he
declared.
DR.. Finegan praised tho work being
done in the industrial training depart
ment, tho Bureau Of Compulsory Edu-
cation and also commended the work
being done in the establishment Of
junior high schools.
Approval of most of the report was
expressed BY Mrs. Anna l.. Lingclbach.
u memDer OF the Doaru.
Mrs. Lingelbaeh Praises Report
IL think DR.. Finegan made clear
cut presentation of the needs of the
Philadelphia schools she said. II
can agree with most of the conclusions
reached. The board and the administra-
tive Offices of the schools have been
working for scme time to remedy many
of the defects of our system to which
Dr. Finegnn refers. and have made con :
siderable progress in this direction.
II believe that far the most impor-
tant point involved Is that Of our build
Ing program for the safety and we'll
being of our children. We need to carry
that out as rapidly as possible. In or
der to do this, we must have the sup.
port of the community, so I welcome
the publicity which Is being given to
the survey report.
81 hope the citizens Of Philadelphis
will realize the fact that we must have
better school buildings and more PLAY
be willing to support the board in ar
adequate building program, but viii
themselves aid in every possible way t
carry through the program thoroughly
and completely ..
Regarding the recommendation o
DR.. Finegan for an elective board. Mrs
Lingclbach said:
'The most important point that DR.
Finegan brought out relative to NJ
elective board, and the one which me
the approval of the audience. is no
stressed in the papers. I refer to th'
fact that politics is the bane Of an cleo
tive school board.
Therefore the election Of members O.
the school board should be held at {
different time and place from that O
other elections. The best place FOL
such an election is in the school houses
themselves.
Politics in Elective Boards
'I have made considerable inquiry
into the question of elective school
boards---an inquiry that reached from
Los Angeles to Boston-and found that
they were more or less involved in poll :
tics.
II believe that our present board is
as far removed from political influence
as It we'll could be. Philadelphia should
exercise particu'a ar caution to keep its
public schools free from politics."
Joseph w. Catharine. vice president
Of the board, approves in general the
report.
''It was excellent" he said. eve
are going to start now to put into ef
feet every recommendation made
Bruce Watson, chairman Of the De.
partment of Welfare and secretary ei
the Child Labor Bureau. was one of the
most enthusiastic in his praise Of tht
survey presentation.
at was highly seasoned in places.
he said. "and will take little whill
for the rough edeges to come to the
top. However, we now know the way
to travel and the danger points are al
marked. When the people Of the city
really see what has been given them
they will understand more fully the
problems confronting the schools of the
CITY,"
DR.. Edward Martin, State Health
Commissioner and member Of the
school board, said that he was highly
gratifed that DR.. Finegan consented to
make the Philadelphia school survey, !;
job which had been thrust upon him b.!
the school board.
Survey BROAD and LIBERAL
The survey was termed a "broad, lib |
orol' ,,;oca Of vOrk nv DR. Martin whd