Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-26
THE Y AND
THE SCHOOLS
Alliance Between Schools
and "Y" Does not Meet
With Approval
Schools to be Greatly Benefited by
Y. NJ. c. A. Building, but
Cooperation Not Favored

Should the city take advantage of
the offer made by the Y. NJ. {. A.
in which it states that it will put
phvsical education in the schools free
of charge? That is the question now
being debated in the minds of some
of Alexandria's most prominent men.
MANY members of both the school
board and city council have been in
terviewed upon this subject. These
gentlemen politely refuse to commit
themselves.
There should he no partnership
either silent or open between the
schools and any outside organization
seems to be the opinion of the ma
iority. While it would be of the great
est possible advantage to the schools
to have physical education IN them,
there is no way in which the alliance
could be established.
Members of the school board an
pear heartily in favcr of the "I ~
drive as individuals but as a body
they decline to discuss the PROPOSE
ton. That physical education Is as
important as any other features of
school life they agree, but in the al
lance they see dangers. The city can
form no partnership. it was explain
ed.
The absence of an auditorium in the
new school building, said f. f. Mar
bury, president of the Board of Alder
men is explained in the fact that the
building is being built primarily to
accommodate the overflow Of pupils
in the other schools and that if an au-
ditorium had been attempted the en-
tire proposition was in danger of fall
ing through because of the shortage
of funds. He suggests that the "l
authorities make proposal and sub
nit it to the legislative bodies of the
city for approval or disapnroval.
One gentleman, member of the
citv council, is against the PROPOSE
ton and suggests in its place an en-
dowment for the athletic association
of the high school and Of the other
schools The money for the endown-
ment he suggested might be raised
through a higher city tax rate. This
suggestion seems, however, only a
minority support.
The ''Y' Drive, which is to be start
ed in the coming week, should be
supported substantially by all who
are for the good of the schools, was
the statement had from number of
members of the school board. They
gave as their reason this: The school
children will be greatly benefited
by the "Y" even though physical ed
ucation is not put in the schools by
the Y. NJ. c. A.
BY all means the "Y" drive should
be carried through and is well deserv-
ing of the support of all who have
the good of Alexandria Schools at
heart, appears to be the general con-
sensus of opinion.
The Chamber of Commerce has
gone on record as being in favor of
the "Y" and from its members sub
Stantial sums are reported to be forth
coming.
The school board, it is understood,
is contemplating a meeting in the
next few DAYS to probe into the of
fer of the Y. NJ. c. A. 1t is thought
that they will go on record as being
the schools if for no other reason.
but that they may oppose any kind
of alliance.
The ~" Campaign organization is
gathering momentum as it goes on
ward and. in enlisting those most in
timately connected with the schools,
hopes TO gather volume enough to
sweep on to victory in the coming
week So now the cry is, Lets Build
a Y and incidentally move the
Alexandria Schools up TO higher
place"