Los Angeles herald., 1891-06-17

Proposed saving, $l2,37
In reply to a question, Mr.. Wilmer
stated that there are thirty-two school
buildings, containing 178 rooms with 1S9
teachers.
Mr.. Bonsall thought that the princi-
pals of eight-room buildings should teach
classes as well. Some of the councilmen
didn't see the Use of the superintendent
of janitors, when the city employed
man as superintendent of buildings at
salary OF $4,000 per year, who had abso-
lutely nothing to do. 1t was explained
that the superintendent of janitors was
really superintendent of repairs, and
saved many times his salary and that of
his assistant through his experience and
prompt work. Mr.. Bonsall reluctantly
acknowledged that the man might be
necessary, bnt took a firm stand against
the deputy superintendent of schools.
He thought a large enough salary
was paid to superintendent
to have him do all the work. When he
learned that the deputy superintendent
was paid for twelve months he was hor-
rifed, and when he heard that the SUI
perintendent's Office also contained an
office boy who ran errands and type
writer, besides keeping the Office tidy
and attending to the telephones, the
shock was almost too much for him.
The statement that $S4 per month was
expended for telephones called up the
councilmen in body. They demanded
to know why, if the teachers desired to
communicate with headquarters, they
did not send some one of the "kids"
with a message, and frowned severely
upon the board Of education for its ex-
travagance.
When the council tackled the next
item, OF principal OF drawing,
Mr.. Shafer reused up and began
to talk back. He declared the
principal of drawing a necessity,
and that if the council wanted to abol-
ish some useless Office they could abolish
the superintendent OF buildings, whose
office they had acknowledged to be
sinecure. The councilmen replied that
it was charter Office. Shafer retorted
that so was the Office of sealer of weights
and measures, yet he was abolished. 1t
was suggested that the officer in ques-
tion had resigned. Shafer remarked
that if sufficient pressure were brought
to bear the superintendent OF buildings
might be induced to resign also.
Councilmen Bonsall and Rees then
proceeded to jump on the items for pen
manship and music teachers and prin-
Clpal OF klndergartenS. heeS thought
the teachers should teach music to their
own scholars, and if they couldn't half
the children could sing anyway, without
instruction. Bonsall thought the super
intendent of schools ought to be able to
look after the kindergartens without
having principal to do it. ~
Shafer explained the situation as re-
garded the kindergartens to the salts
faction of everyone except Mr.. Bonsall,
who now demanded to know what the
board proposed to do in the way of re-
ducing expenses.
Shafer retorted that the board did not
propose to ask the council for cent for
salaries, as the money from state and
county appropriations would pay the
salaries, while the money in the salary
fund could not legally be used for any
other purpose. This statement rather
staggered the council, but hasty con-
sultation of authorities proved it's truth
fulness. The board of education then
produced schedule of salaries to be
paid the coming year, which embodies
reduction of about $4,000. This is as
follows:
.s ..Ae.1z eooo