Evening journal., 1922-07-11
No. ) SCHOOL
FOR negroes
Board of Education Makes
Change After Need Is
Shown
OPPOSE AUTOS
FOR OFFICIALS

Rommel. providing for the discon-
tinuing Of School No. 5 in Walnut
street near 18th street as a white
school and the converting OF IL into
a school for colored pupils. Before
this action was taken. however. Rep
resentative Robert W. Kramer and
David Berman, residents of the Sixth
ward, who had previously appeared
as spokesman for white objecting
residents of the ward. addressed the
members on the subject.
Mr. Kramer suggested that the
board lease or purchase the property
at Ninth and Walnut streets now
used rs a cigar factory for school
for the Negro children. The struc-
ture, Mr.. Kramer said. was one Of
the best constructed buildings in this
city and could be converted into
school building at small cost. He
contended that the platoon school
system could be installed in this
building very easily.
James T. Chandler. who presided
at the meeting, explained that the
Board several months ago considered
the question of taking over this par
ticular property but the owners had
given an option on the structure 20
a silk manufacturer and Il therefore
was not for rent. The purchase
price was said to be 100000.
Mr.. Kramer said he had been in
formed that the owners would rent
the building for five years at A rental
Of $500 a month. He said he
thought the building could be bought
for $4,000 and at the present price
of materials he said the structure
could not be duplicated FOR less than
$4,000
The question on the motion as 10
whether to housing committees re-
port should be adopted was then
called for. but before Il was made.
Mr.. Kramer said that no matter
what action the board took on the
subject ne would send his children
TO the school he chose.
Shermer H. Stradley said that
personally he would like 10 see the
school remain as II is, especially be-
cause of the excellent work that had
been done there.
DR.. Conweu Banton of the Sixth
ward said he was in sympathy with
t. protest Of Mr.. Kramer and 9TH
OF the Sixth ward adding: II am
. Interested IN the colored chill
cen OF the city" DR.. Banton said
he would take as much interest II the
conditions were reversed.
He also explained that with the
placing OF the primary grade pupils
OF Howard High School at No. 5
school the grammar and high school
grades at the Howard school would
still be crowded and a portable
building would have 10 be erected
a or near the Howard High school
10 take care Of the overflow.
The motion 10 adopt the commit
tees report was adopted without
dissenting vote.
Mr.. Rommel said the board has
never had enough money and was
obliged TO do the best IL could un-
der the circumstances. He added
that he was interested in giving the
best 10 all the children of all the /
districts IF the people OF Will !
mington want the best they should /
give US enough money" he de- |
clared
A request through DR.. Banton, /
from a colored church. in the vicin- /
=
Grant avenue. for permission to use /
the basement OF the school for .
church services for about two .
months while new church is being |
built was referred TO the business /
manager.
Mr. Stradley. chairman OF the fin
ance committee. opposed the plan
10 purchase two automobiles for the
use Of the superintendent of schools
and the business manager. when
bids for the machines were opened.
Mr.. Stradley objected 10 the propos-
ed purchase when suggested at a
previous meeting and he refused TO
serve on a committee named yes
terday TO inquire into the merits OF
the cars desired.
Two bids were received at the
meeting, one for a Chevrolet at $500
and one for a Ford coupe at s76O.95.
The committee named by Mr.. Chan
dler to look into the merits of the
two cars included himself and DR..
Banton, Mr.. Stradley and DR.. Ward.
Mr. Stradley submitted the budget
for the coming year which he said
showed that the Board would have
a deficit Of Sal. 900 IL every item on
the buget is allowed. Il
The total estimated receipts. in
Guiding the 100000 allotted to the
Board by City Council. what it an
ticipates receiving from the State
Board OF Education. and other
sources. amount to S1.O54,97s. The
estimated disbursements amount to
1895 900. approximately Sal 900
more than the Board has any surety
Of receiving.
After some debate the Board
adopted a motion that the budget,
as it now stands. be adopted with
the proviso that all expenditures !
shall be curtailed until the Board
knows exactly what its receipts are
going to be and how much it will !
have available to spend.
None Of the members of the board {
have any information relative to the J
report that the State is going to allot /
this city an additional $4,000; in
fact, the members expressed them
selves as skeptical concerning the
reported generosity of the State
Board. l
DR.. Washburn as chairman OF the
committee on attendance and census
offered a motion. which was adopt
ed, providing for tho creation Of a
divion looking after attendance. I
health and census. The motion
s ated that persons IN the depart
ment be employed to serve the
,fcaet,ra NJ fha hoard for tu-elvn