Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-06-13
NO Change YET
ATNO. ) SCHOOL
Plan to Open 1t to Negro
Pupils Goes Over for
Present
ROMMELL URGES
100000 LOAN


Education at its meeting yesterday
afternoon, Representative Robert W
Kramer. a resident OF the Sixth
ward, stated that white residents Of
that ward were surprised at the ac.
ton OF the special committee OF the
school board in approving the plar
TO change school No. now used by
white children, into a school fol
Negro children. Mr.. Kramer said
that none of the committee Of the
board had interviewed the residentl
Of the ward as TO whether the change
would meet with their approval OF
cause their children any inconveni-
ence.
While the report OF the special
committee was laid on the table for
two weeks. II was intimated by
James T. Chandler. a member of the
committee, that the opposition TO the
change had been fostered by som !
lawyer or others not residents Of thu
ward.
Mr.. Kramer was accompanied to
the meeting by Mrs. John Inness Of
Fifteenth and King streets, Mrs.
William Bullock of Fifteenth and
Walnut street and j. Berman Of
Twelfth and Walnut streets.
This committee presented a petit
ton signed by 233 residents pro-
testing the proposed change. Mem
bers Of the Sixth ward committee
said they thought it strange that
after the present school had been
equipped with modern toilet facili-
ties Il should be converted into a
school for Negroes and the white
children OF the ward sent 20 other
schools where sanitary conditions
were far from satisfactory.
Mr.. Kramer said the present
school for Negroes at Twelfth and
Poplar streets had ample ground
on which a portable building could
be erected but he did not propose
to tell the School Board how It
should work.
DR.. V. D. Washburn said that
many property owners OF the east
side of the city had voted against
the school bond issue at the special
election.
DR.. Conwen Banton said the pro-
posed change would relieve much OF
other schools and thereby provide
seating facilities for many Negro
children who are not now attend
ing schools.
Mr.. Chandler, who presided at
the meeting, asked Mr.. Berman II
he had started the present agitation.
Mr.. Berman said he had not. but had
heard many persons comment on the
proposed changes. When pressed
by Mr.. Chandler to state who had
talked about the changes. Mr.. Ber-
man said his wife, she having heard
the residents discussing the matter
in their store. Mr.. Chandler asked
Mr.. Berman II some lawyer had not
started the opposition 10 the changes.
Shermer II. Stra dley. of the Ninth
ward, suggested that action be de-
ferred on the committee report for at
least two weeks and the specis com
mittee inform the residents Of the
ward Just what the board could do
with the funds in hand. etc.
Mr.. Kramer said II seemed strange
that the only school in the ward for
white children should be abolished
at this time, especially when the
| school had received no attention for
wears until lately. He said citizens
of that section did not oppose the
change providing their children
were to receive something just as
good. II not better, in school build
ings.
Further discussion on the subject
ceased with the adoption Of the
resolution by Mr.. Stradley, but
George Rommell. ST., former pres
ident OF the board, turning TO the
delegation said: What the board
wants you to do and asks all citizens
having the interest Of the schools at
heart IS to demand that City Coun- |
ell begin now to make the proper
financial provision for the care OF
the city schools. Until you do this.
we will get nowhere" Mr.. Rom |
nell suggested that a 100000 bond |
issue be authorized to start a COM
prehensive school building pro-
gram.
Mr.. Stradley, chairman Of the fin
ance committee, called the boards
attention to the recent railing of the
| Attorney-Ge nera1, submitted TO the
State Board of Education, TO the /
effect that school funds on hand |
and uDexpended on June 80 would /
revert to the general fund OF the |
state. Mr.. Stradley reported that
there was approximately 100000 In l
the maintenance and repairs fund
and about $500 in the insurance
fund.
Mr.. stradley urged that these
moneys be expended on repairs i'm
mediately. He called attention 10
several buildings needing painting,
including No. % school which
building he said has not been paint
ed on the outside for eighteen
years. The board ordered all need
ed repairs made without delay.
The report OF DAVID A. Ward, SUI
perintendent Of Schools, relative to
teachers contracts and salaries, was
aid on the table after Mr.. Stradley
bad explained that an acceptance of
he report and the fixing of salaries
/ this time would be premature. He
laid that as City Council has not yet
definitely stated how much money
he board is to receive. the salary
Question could not be decided.
The meeting was attended by
Mayor Harvey. who was asked TO
Jake the seat of Mr.. Chandler, of the
teventh ward. who presided in the
lbsence OF Ellwood Souder, the
president. Mayor Harvey said that
he had heard the School Board was
ired TO see them in action.
working body and he merely de-
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