The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-12

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Model Primary Sssy school cii.:. ...... 81 81
Saturday Normal School,. So Las
c cSTsSa nU schooi scnoo. sass 1855
Total ..................... iM,s20 2s6,lS7
Il Is unnecessary to state that the care of 80
many lives as aforementioned should not be en-
trusted to incompetent officials, but unfortunately,
such lie the case. The Superintendent of Buildings
Of the Department OF Pubic instruction is gentle
man who has been connected with the schools for
many years, and although he knows all about the
buildings he does not worry himself much about
the boilers, that is tout of his line" 1t Is very
well to state that the engineer of the department
knows all about heating and ventiatng because
Ne was "1ve year on twelve injin sometimes
when it was workin' a fire. and we had 10 send
her up to two hundred pounds, an 1t was just as
nice the day he left as the day he whit on an there
was soft pine all around IL and sheet iron on the
outside on it.n Several OF the janitors who run
'bilers" have qualified before the police authori-
ties; but is safe to say that, nOtwith-
standing all these drawbacks there Is really
no more danger in any Of the schools
than II every possible adjunct in respect to
making the building freproof, was strictly cared
for In these l04 schools there are "a boilers 10 fur
naces, for hot air heating, and over one thousand
fully inspected each boiler and have fixed the
safety valves that there cannot possibly be over
10 pounds OF steam on In any Of them, although
they are subjected to pressure of 10 pounds
1t 10 wrong that the are OF all the heating and
ventfating arrangements should be under the con-
troll OF one man, whose scientific record Is very
CLOSELY circumscribed, and who can be found
otener at the City Hall than at the school houses
throughout the city.
1t would be wrong to create any alarm now in
relation to the schools as it isust twenty years
since any very serious casualty happened in any
Of them. The casualty referred was the result OF
an alarm OF fire. Some scores Of lives were lost but
the lesson then taught, although very bitter has
not been neglected, and 1t Is now Of the regular
exercises in the schools for the principals to dis
miss the pupils In short order, drilling
the teachers and pupils in case OF fire, so that
should occasion require it, the schools could
be emptied in very few minutes. There are no
fire escapes" in the schools, but there are fire.
proof starways in almost all OF the buildings built
Of blue stone and enclosed by solid brick partitions
From the reports given below, as well as from
what has been said above, it will be that the
schoohouses in this city may be regarded as so
many ''tinder boxes" should fire occur; but it Is
Also very evident that the school authorities are
doing what seems to them proper to ensure the
although the choice Of their "engineer" might
reasonably be questioned.
THE FIRST WARD
has but three schoolbouses-one in Stone street.
Dne IN Greenwich street, near Rector, and one in
Cedar street, near Greenwich. With the exception
or the last mentioned the buildings very old as
schOohouses, and, although the precautions in
case Of fire are pretty good it is sad to say that
should fire occur during school hours there
would be q holocaust beyond a doubt All the
buildings are old and heated by wood stoves, ex-
cept the school in Greenwich street, which is
heated by steam.
The grammar school in Greenwich street is by no
means fortunate in its surroundings. 1t has tene-
ment houses at both sides, with an alley way run
ming into the side, which would only serve as
trap in case fire should occur; but, as under
recent order the children are being drilled daily
how they should 60 out in case of sudden alarm
and there are now four stairways and good
methods Of escape it is safe to presume that no
immediate necessity will arse for the purpose OF
testing them.
The school in Stone street is an old "tnder box"
1t has been in use some fifteen twenty years; is
surrounded by warehouses Of all kinds, and would
prove to be death trap should ever fire occur or
panic Of any kind be started.
IN THE SECOND WARD
there is but one schoolhouse, and that primary
school. 1t is lanked by tenement house on one
side and oil store on the other; 1t is heated by
steam, and s watched over by the father-in-law of
the brother-in-law Of Mr. sheriff Brennan 1t is an
old building, with narrow, winding starways and,
should fire occur, 1t would be physical impOssi.
bty for the children ever to get out without great
loss Of life. In the Third ward there are schools,
and, Of course, no danger.
IN THE FOURTH WARD
there are three chool-houses--oneg grammar school
and two primary schools. The former, in vande-
water street, is badly surrounded, and, being
heated by steam, might possibly be the scene OF
great deal of trouble, II not positive loss Of life,
should connagration ever occur. The two pri-
mary schools in the ward being heated by wood
stoves are comparatively safe, the teachers and
jantors are all so much interested that they must
watch the stoves and thus tend to the safety of
attendants.
IN THE FIFTH WARD
there are but two schools--one grammar, in North
Moore, and one primary in vestry street. Neither
Is particularly safe, but although the surroundings
are old and innammable there is really but little,
II any, cause for alarm. Both buildings are heated
by steam and, while carefully guarded, may yet
be considered as traps Of the worst kind.
IN THE SIXTH WARD
all OF which are heated by stoves. The surround
ings OF each schoohouse are SO bad that 1t is al
most unnecessary to specify them. Tenement
houses shops and factories OF all kinds are hud-
died close against the schOolhOuses, so that, not
withstanding the fact that the brother of Shern
Brennan is Commissioner and general ''bossr or
the schools and teachers in the district should any
alarm be given during school hours the slaughter
would be fearful indeed
SEVENTH WARD.
Grammar School No. IL, at 321 Madison street, IL
perhaps as unsafe schoolhouse as there Is in New
York. The stairways are OF wood. and are In a
bad condition. The school Is very old, having been
built In 1872, and they are now putting In wooden
ceilings and improving its condition; tDut
the best Improvement they could make in
this school would be to tear IL down
entirely and rebuild the structure. owing to the
structures made In the HERALD some time since on
the condition OF this school, the Board Of Bduca-
sion made some alterations in 1t. but 1t 10 nothing