The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-05
OAKLAND IN LINE.
A Mass-Meeting on the Subject to
Be Held Shortly.

be GelQ shortly.
Public sentiment in Oakland is demand
ing that the anti-cigarette movement, be.
gun and carried out so successfully in the
San Francisco schools through the efforts
of THE MORNING CALL. be started also in
the Oakland schools.
The School Directors are as yet dilatory
in their plain duty. Now is the time to
strike. Such favorable conditions for in
terest and good work in this line may Of
exist again for years.
A the special meeting of the Oakland
Board of School Directors held last week
the subject was brought up and discussed
informally after the special business of the
evening had been disposed of. Drecio rs
Rued and Clement were outspoken against
the idea of an anti-cigarette pledge being
introduced into the schools. Instead OF
getting boy TO give his word of honor
not to smoke until he was 81, instead of
getting him TO come out and make a de-
cided stand. aided and aiding similar
step among his companions, these gentle
men believed in moral suasion.
Some of the other Directors, however
believe that the pledge will dc great deal
of good among the schooboys. They be-
lieve that large number of boys drift into
smoking by careessnesS and thOughtless-
ness-thdt the pledge is definite, practi-
cal and simple proposition which would
be more binding and impressive TO the
average sehoOlboy than all other influences
combined. 1t would aid them materially
in resisting the temptation to smoke and
would raise their standard of honor.
The discussion went pro and con, and
resulted in the informal decision that for
the present the principals of schools d.
rect the teachers special attention to the
law providing that the physiological eff
QlQnhnliR
smoking tobacco be taught in the schools.
The board does not meet again until
February 10. However. in the me antime
a very important agitation has been be-
gun bv the w. c. T. U. in the matter.
On February % there will be an all-dav
mass-meating of the children in the taber-
nacle. There will be music by a band, a
procession OF children carrying baDners
ana flags and flowers. In the tabernacle
there will be recitations and singing and
general enthusiasm.
This celebration is really under the
Triple Pledge League" of the Junior
Christian EndeavOr Society of Alameda
County. At the head of this organization
is Mrs. II. G.. McMath, W. c. T. o.,
County Superintendent of Children's
Work.
The triple pledge is far more extensive
than the anti-cgarette pledge. II reads:
God helping me,
promise not TO buy. drink sell or give
Alcoholic liquors while live.
From all tobacco Pl abstain,
And never take Gods name in vain.
Mrs. McMath has succeeded in getting a
circle in every junior Endeavor Society in
the county and she and her cO-wOrkers are
making great plans for the affair Cd Wash
ington's Birthday. They expect to have
800 children in line on that day.
This movement is very largely to crys-
talze sentiment for Immediate work along
The CALLS anti-cigarette lines in San
Francisco. Pressure is to be brought on
the School Directors to allow City Super
intendent McClymonds to have pledge
blanks introduced and signed in every
school.
The principals and teachers have unapi-
mously sgnified their desire and wish to
take up this work, as the bane of cigarettes
they find is greater than all other evil in
fluences combined with which they must
daily combat.