The labor world., 1922-12-30

y Members of the Board of Edu-
cation Make a Statement
tract with Thomas J. Shechik and Perkins, Fellows &
Hamilton for architectural in connection with the
Duluth Schools This resolution carried by the vote of
six to three Charges then made by Messrs Clough
Cooe and knight bearing the efficiency and professional
integrity Of the firm of Perkins Fellows & Hamilton and
was instructed withhold his signature until these charges
could be investigated by the majority members Of the Board
These charges will be fully investigated and the findings
made public.
Local Firms Not to Suffer-
The difference between the demands of the Builders
Exchange and the minority members of the Board and the
persons have been led suppose The Builders Exchange
demands that the plans and shall be
and drawn by Duluth architect and that they be merely
submitted the outside specialist for approval This plan
carefully considered by the Board early in its discus
sion Of architect question and decided that such
procedure would give the full value of the experts
from the beginning the assistance which it
needed to place the ultimate responsibility for the
building hi. Further statements Of the Builders
the minority members of the Board that the
local material and contractors would be
against and that local pecarites Of climate and toPog
raphy would not be taken into account a valid
criticism The Board from the very beginning of its dis
cssion of the employment Of architect desired and this
was known the minority members, that whoever might
would be required associate with himself architect
of the City of Duluth who would cooperate with him from
the beginning in the design Of the buildings and have
charge Of the actual supervision of their erection order
that equal opportunity would be afforded for Duluth
figure the plans and for Duluth material to
Climate and Duluth Building condition. be fully considered
In the contract which the Board to enter into with
Mr. shechk and with Perkins Fellows & Hamilton these
Duluth Engineersn appoint committee to consult
with and the architects with references to plans and
~ sn:the Majority Rule =:
that until the Duluth Builders Exchange took part in the
there serious disagreement lack of har
in conjunction with the Builders Exchange has attempted
to force the majority to turn from decision which
was taken only after very careful OF the prob
building and material The majority members OF the
Board do feel that their nfalble but they
have taken their position only after very thorough inves
tsaton Of all the facts in the and believe
of the children and Of the taxpayers whole
will be served by the program they have outlined
been clearly presented the public hitherto, is whether
the majority of the Board of Eucaton having adopted
policy based upon careful study OF all the a:ts bearing
gram or whether minority OF the Board, backed by a
powerful group Of interested in the outcome of the
Boards action, shall be allowed force by improper
of procedure, the majority recede from position
which they conceive to be in the interests Of the whole pub
c If the latter is allowed there is nothing prevent
well organized and selfish interest in the community
riding the wishes Of the majority of any elected body
matter what the merits Of the may be-.
" The Interest of 10000 School Children Comes First
But the most important question at issue the interest
Of the children Of Duluth The present school buildings in
Duluth efficient they should be and not safe
d sanitary they should be and the latest
not 90 economically planned they should be- School
buildings Are not planned built in order to work to
architects material hut for the
Of educating boys and girls The majority members Of the
Board believe that in order modern heahfu and
efficient school buildings they must have the assistance OF
the advice obtainabe and that the children Of
Duluth entitled to such service matter where it
to to get
ton has far been that it would do injury certain
busness and professional interests the community. The
majority members have from the first contended that their
action would result loss to material contractors
of Duluth and have taken steps safeguard against such
loss But should this contention prove the best
Of the children the first consideration and
should be served in preference other They believe
that their program Doing it for Duluth the highest
and best possible Il s program Of Doing for
the twenty. thousand School Children Of Duluth
n Respectfully submitted, s5ss4
FRANK CRASSWELEER
HARRIET G.. BARNES
SIDNEY II. COTTON
G. FRANCIS COLMAN,