The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-19
THE public OPINION
Popular Sentiment Revealed by Many PrOmln-
ent Citizens.
FIREpRoOF The HIGH School
Against This Overwhelming Demand
the Board of Control or Committee
Cannot Go Astray Without Danger
to the Public and Their Own Pos
ition-Opinions Obtained by Tribune
Reporters Show How the Wind Is
RIau,;ao

The report that there was opposition
in the board of control to the erection
Of fire-proof high school building. on
account Of its great cost, occasioned
much talk yesterday. With view to
ascertaining the drift of sentiment
among prominent taxpayers and busi-
mesa men, TRIBUNE reporters procured
the following interviews:
WILLIAM CoNNELL-I am emphat-
ically opposed to cooping the school
children up in fire trap. In the erec'
tion of u building like the new high
school 1t is economy to use the best
and safest materials possible. and to
have the construction work done in the
very best manner, The fact that it
will add only about 10 per cent. to the
cost of non-ire proof building to
make it freproof completely answers
the argument of extravaganza. don't
believe the parents Of Scranton would
let 10 per cent. stand between their
pocketbooks and the constant possibil-
ity Of having their children cremated.
WILLIAM r. SMTTH.-Lst us have a
fire proof building, by all means. 1t
costs very little extra, and see how
much safer it is. The fact that 80
many persons will occupy this struc-
ture makes its safety particularly i'm
port tact. Besides, the difference in
insurance is point to be considered.
1t costs less to insure fire proof build
ing than one which isn't fire proof. l
am for the best and safest building
that can be built within the specifca-
tlons
A. w. DIcKsoN.-There is absolutely
no question in my mind regarding the
matter. The building should be lire
proof by all means 1t will be one OF
the city's representative structures to
ornament Scranton for all time; for
this reason it should be fire proof, but,
particularly. the safety of its large
number of students should be assured
From money standpoint the cost be-
tween fir5proof and non-freproof is go
comparatively slight that it would be
picayune policy to discriminate in
favor of the latter. The majority Of
public-spirited citizens. | believe, are
in favor of fireproof construction.
| c. d. SIMPSON, The safety OF the
pupils demands protection from fire.
Whatever may be said against fire
proof construction it is imperative in
building of this kind. II will be sub
divided into many rooms and depart
ments which will offer considerable
opportunity for combustion, and this
condition is an argument for fire.
proofng. l am heartily in favor Of It,.
J. c. LANGE.-I am strongly of the
opinion that the new high school should
be fireproOf building. Many bust
ness men with whom | have conversed
on the subject are of the same opinion
almost without exception. However,
l believe the high school COMMITTEES
will recommend that the structure lie
built freproof. l think they realize
the necessity for it and the sentiment
in favor of it. We shall ultimately
have thousand scholars in the build
ing and every possible preeaution
should be used in protecting them.
w. J. HAND.-By all means the
echool should be fire-proof.
Rev, g. G. ROBINSON, D. D.-There
ont be any question about it. The
cash difference is trifllng thing com
pared with the assurance of the safety
Of children.
I. ]. FosTER-Certainly l am il
favor of the fre.proof building In q
city like this there is no doubt tina
we should have the best class of build
ing.
| COLONEL II. NJ. BoIEs, - When tn,
agitation commenced / was inter
viewed upon the matter and expressed
myself decidedly in favor Of the fire
proof building. 1t would be a crim
of ''malfeasanee in Office" not to do so
| J. l. STEELE.-Fireproof building by
all means.
LUTHER KELLER Am heartily il
favor of the fireproof building.
W. w. WATSON. all mean
make it fireproof
E, S. WILLIAMS 1t certainly shoul'
be fireproof.