The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1923-06-23

|9ssSThe Hackensack survey was made
by. Professors Strayer and Engle-
hardt OF Columbia university who
devised this theoretical scoring sys-
tenn. Their report with reference to
the Hackensack school plant, which
grades only 2 per cent better than
the Duluth school plant. the second
in the entire list. Ia. that:
+ *"The school plant has been ef-
dciently planned and exceedingly
well maintained.
Under these conditions It seems
reasonable to say that the same
observations could be said With
reference to the Duluth school
plant. Nothing of the kind, how
ever, Is to be gathered from the
local survey. On page 81 Of the
printed report of the Duluth sur
vey the conclusions of the local
Survey Board are stated. Notf ing
is to be there found complimentary
Of the Duluth school plant, which,
on the basis OF this theoretical
survey, must be considered as one
of the best In the country. The
fact is that every part of the plant
is criticised, unjustly condemned
and the impression given that the
Duluth school plant is absolutely
unsatisfactory
We seriously question the state
ment In the local survey that "the
Duluth school buildings are poorly
protected against fire." Under this
heading the Duluth school survey
marks Duluth q theoretical Is per
cent. The Hackensack score on fire
protection Of buildings by Strayer
and Englehardt, themselves, was
only 81 per cent, or six points
better than Duluth. That this Is in
fact a. very high percentage Is
evident Z from what Professors
Strayer and Englehardt say with
reference to the Hackensack schools,
as follows:
!, I'm general the survey commit
tee has found that Hackensack has
given more thought to the 3: .ety
OF its children than Is, given In.
any other city, the school buildings
of which 1t has analysed"
Great stress has been laid on the
fact that In Duluth only Is per
cent of black board chalk rails
were Of standard height as allowed
by this theoretical survey, but moth
ing is said regarding 52.S per cent
of the black board chalk rails which
are better than standard, making
E6S.8 per cent of black boards and
chalk rails Of the height required
by our state laws and leaving only
3I.2 per Cent which are not Of
proper height according to either
State Laws or this theoretical sur
vey. From all the foregoing It Is
apparent that. Duluth does not suf-
fer from comparison with other
cities.
BY We understand that IN general
the Duluth school buildings, and
certainly all such buildings erected
in recent years, not only meet the
requirements Of the Duluth build
ing code but also those Of the
Minnesota state board Of education.
For years past the State board Of
education has approved the plans
of practically every school build
ing constructed in the State Of
Minnesota. State aid for schools is
based In part on the approval of
building as constructed, and Du-
sluth has received and we are in
formed now receives such State lid.
- Our own people. as we'll as
strangers, who may form some
opinion Of Duluth from its school
buildings, are entitled to know that
the Duluth school plant 10 not
inferior. School buildings as well
as school equipment represent q
large outlay of public money, all
Of which is to be raised by taxes.
1t is impossible to rebuild schools
to keep pace with the theory Of
education. Schools once built must
continue to be used as long as
they are safe, sanitary, and reason
ably adapted to practical purposes.
This Is common sense.
We believe that Duluth citizens