The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-10
DANGER IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Perfls to Which the Pupils Are Ex.
neutrality-suspicious. Which May Occur
mt Any Observation-Disclosures and Engines
Run by Unlicensed Janitors-Lack OF
Fire Escapes.
The awful lesson taught by the disasters OF the
Filth Avenue Hotel and Centre street fires seems to
have no effect upon those In charge OF our great
public institutions. Yesterday case was
brought to light in connection with our public
schools which is well calculated to strike terror to
the hearts Of thousands Of parents in this city.
Some time ago Drs Post and vich, Health In.
spectors connected with the Sanitary Department,
were detailed to make thorough inspec-
ton OF the schools OF the city, In order
to ascertain the arrangements for the
health ana safety Of the pupils. The
two doctors have just made their report
schools in the city, and, after setting forth their
arrangements they specify the following as being
a bcn wt' "a e Ea0h street
6S Elm street, a. First street. 49, "a and 80 City Hail
place. % and 90 Greenwich street, III Cedar street,
Seventh street and No. Stone street.
Here are twelve schools wholly
uNPR0YIDED WITH THE MEANS OF EXIT
for the children in case of q sudden conlagraton,
and in view of the recent calamities no one can
tell when such connagration may break out. In
most OF the schools lire escapes would be the only
means OF salvation, and 1t Is certainly criminal
carelessness that these fire escapes should not
thoroughly investigated, and 1t is to be hoped the
proper steps to remedy the evil Will be imme-
diately taken.
There is another thing connected with the pub
Tic schools which Gals for serious attention.. 1t
appears from the reports OF the inspectors of the
Third district, comprising the Ninth and Tenth
wards that the persons in charge Of the engines
which regulate
THE HEATING APPARATUS
are wholly incompetent having no knowledge Of
the proper discharge OF their duties The janitors
in addition to their other duties are saddled with
the task of attending to the heating, and as none
bungling can be easily seen. An explosion Is at
any time imminent and IL one should occur during
school hours the result would be too horrible to
contemplate. The following letter in connection
with the subject has been addressed to Captain
Yule Of the Sanitary Department.
New YORK, Jan. g. 1873.
SR-I have believe that the persons in charge
OF the boilers i'll the schools in the Third district copr
ing the Ninth and Sixteenth wards, are not Competent
from the position Of anitor and placed in the they
now hold fear their retention result disastrously
TO the scholars In the schools In which they employed
and respectfully request that the cafcd)
In the district herein named be examined by
ment and the result made known 10 early as expe
dent Yours. respectfully, GEORGE H. MACKAY,
356 West Twentieth street Inspector Third District
To Captain YuLr, Police Department.
Captain Yule states that the law requires the
owners OF boilers and engines to report the locality
OF the same, and he then sends his oiicers to I'M.
spect them The law makes it misdemeanor II
these reports are not made lie says several of the
janltors have reported been examined and found
competent, but that others have been rejected
The subject he considers to be one OF grave I'M
and worthy ora strlc: inquiry.