South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-16
Council Fails to Pass School
Resolution After Arguments Are
Presented by Directors to 1t.
Matter of High School Erection Be Settled Special Meet
ing of Council WhOe-VOte Hinges on Council
GARDENERS Claim

The City Fathers last night did not
cast a vote on the resolution pre-
sented by the school board for the
approval Of the purchase OF II acres
Of land at the Wenger addition, Lin
coin way +. but after listening for
over an hour 10 protests from resi-
dents Of this city. passed a motion
TO adjourn without any action on the
matter special meeting viii be
called within the next week at which
dne a vote will probably be taken
and the opportunity to build on the
site the much needed high school.
either rejected or approved.
Those in favor of the purchase of
the property last night wavered for
the first time in their prediction that
The matter would satisfactorily pass
the council. Instead of the unani-
4i0us approval that was first thought
to be possible. IL was brought out
and practically agreed by both sides
that the winning vote was in the
hands of Councilman Gardner. Both
those in favor and those opposed
claim his support. The alternatives
claim 10 be sure Of the votes Of
councilmen Webb, Chesbro and
Yenn. while the negatives claim the
votes Of Councilmen Brady Schmitt
and Gamble.
Supt. of Schools Emmons was tho
initial speaker of the evening on the
subject Shortly after Councilman
CHESHIRE made a motion that the
council finish the other business be-
fore them and then adjourn to meet
at once as a commi ctee of the whole,
the superintendent of the local
schools addressed the committee,
laying before them much the Same
points that met the approval of the
Chamber of Commerce a their
luncheon some weeks ago
He said il was not his aim TO start
a debate and that during his period
as head OF the local schools the citi-
zens would never find him cham
pioning any cause in which there
was division of sentiment. He ask
ed, however, only the opportunity 10
explain the reasons that prompted
the Board of Education TO obtain
options on the property where the
new high school is planned.
Cites Growth.
The tremendous growth Of the
school attendance here and the fore
cast for the future were all stressed
by him in pointing out that II was
the duty Of everyone TO realize that
the erection of a high school in this
city at once, was a needed necessity.
He stated that he believed the use of
the half block of property west OF
the high school at this time made
quate and emphasized the fact that
there was a great lack of playground
space for the pupils Of the present
Main and High schools. For the
care OF the grade students alone, he
said it would be soon necessary to
tear down the old Main schoolhouse
and construct a larger building
He admitted that the school could
| probably be built on less ground and
remarked that Ii would be a splen-
did thing If suitable property could
be obtained in the center Of the city.
d He said this was an absolute inn
/ ssibiIity however. He then point
ed out that additional care must be
taken at once 10 make the students
! vigorous and healthy by supplying
a suitable place for play.
! f Armand Schellinger. owner OF
some Of the property on which the
/ board has secured an option was the
I first speaker against the proposition.
/ He stated that he believed there was
a great necessity for a new high
school and remarked that II was as
! great a public institution as the city
hall. the library. etc. Where do
they want Us 10 place it," he asked
Then answering himself. he said
zone mile east of Main St. two and
/ one-half miles from the west side OF
Ne city. three-quarters Of a mile
from the eastern city limits and en-
tirely east OF the entire population
of Mishawaka
Il believe that II this building IS
erected on the spot pointed out. that
both the city council and the board