The Washington times., 1894-06-13
ALARMS WOULD Be USELESS
School Trustees Ayerse to Placing
Them in School Buildings.
THINK DANGER OF FIRE SLIGHT
Results Of Panic Most to Be reared-Drills
the Best safeguard-Rules Governing Ad-
mission to the Normal schools-0rder
Of Closing Exercises Adopted.

School Trustees Bowen, Wilmer, and Cornish,
who constitute the committee on buildings, re-
pairs, and furniture, to whom was referred the
proposition Of the instantaneous Fire Alarm
Company for the Introduction Of their alarms
into the public school buildings, submitted the
following report at the board meeting yesterday:
"The danger Of fires in school buildings is
slight II one should occur while the building is
closed, the instantaneous alarm would be use
less, as It is not automatic but requires some
to work it. Should fire occur when the build
ing Is occupied, 1t would be promptly discovered,
and probably cause little damage
THE chief danger to the pupils is from the re-
suits Of panic. This cannot be helped by the
fire or panic drills. Nearly all of the school
buildings, and especially the two-story, light
room houses, are provided with such ample
means Of exit and rescue that there is prac-
tically no danger from fire SO far as pupils are
concerned
"The school buildings are now insured under
. acontract that has four years yet to run. The
insurance company refuses TO give any rebate
on the premiums II the alarm is placed in the
schools The rates are very low comparatively,
and are themselves a strong evidence of the
Judgment of experts that the risks of fire in our
school buildings are next to nothing
"The introduction Of the alarms will cost
1900 the first year and $1,000 annually there
after. The contingent fund is already made
Quate, and this additional expense cannot be
assumed without an appropriation for the pur-
pose We therefore report adversely TO the
proposition" The report was adopted
The following applications for positions as
teachers in the different branches were read
and placed on file for future references: For
sewing, Mrs j. J. Heard, Miss Fannie Riley. Miss
Lizzie Means, Miss Phillipa March Mrs. Belle Z.
Sener, Miss Agnes D. Plowden, Miss Mary Sam.
mond; as teachers, A. c. Fleschman, Emory II.
Wilson. Miss Lottie E Wright, Miss Matilda
and John r. Edmurds; as instructors in draw
ing, Charlotte A. Van Doren, Isabelle A Corin,
Miss Katherine W. saxton, Miss Susie Swingle;
for cooking, Miss Carolyn I. Brown, Miss Mary
E Hurley: English and Latin, William F.
Groves. Madeline Wallin. l. l. Summerscales; as
instructor In kindergarten, Lydia Waldo; for
literary, English, and history, Clara Stenwood;
physical culture, Miss Jessie E Ditto, Virginia
T. Hutton; for chief instructor in gymnastics,
fencing, etc, Lieut. Schultz; for music, Frank l.
Calhoun
Miss A. " Roberts Wa. appointed temporary
teacher of the first grade Grant school,. salary
Si25 per annum, TO take effect June II, 1894, vice
NJ. z. Teel, deceased, and Miss Z. c. Weston was
appointed temporary teacher Of seventh grade,
Van Buren, (annex) school, salary $S25 per annurn,
TO take effect June 1894, vice s. NJ Ely, on leave.
ADMISSION TO NORMAL SCHOOLS.
Tho following report was received from the
committee on normal and high schools respect
Ing the examination for admission to the normal
schools:
As the candidates for admission to the normal
schools receive n credit Of seventy-fve marks
for what is done in the high school, there remain
twenty-five marks 10 be earned by q competi-
tive examination. The committee decide that
the twenty-five marks shall be divided into two
parts, thirteen marks and twelve marks, re-
epectively. The thirteen marks shall be earned
by examination as follows: Four by an exami-
nation In arithmetic, three by examination
in grammar and English, three by an examina-
ton In drawing, and three by an examination
In music.
The twelve marks shall be earned by an oral
examination, as follows: Four for physical quail
fcations, four for inte lec:ual qualifications, and
four for other qualifications, such as neatness.
appearance, address, attendance, record, etc.
This examination shall be conducted for each
school by a committee consisting in each case Of
the principal OF the high school, supervising
principal, to be named by the superintendent,
and the principal Of the normal school
The following order Of closing exercises were
read and adopted: Business high school, Monday
June is, Central high school hall, p. m. Nor
NAL school (frst six divisions, Tuesday, June
19, Franklin school at 10 e. m. High and Nor
NAL schools Seventh and eighth divisions),
Wednesday, June 20, Academy of Music p. N
All the graded schools will close on WedEes-
day, June % High school first six divisions),
Thursday, June q, Convention hall. p. N. At
the latter place Hon. William VI. Springer will
deliver an address. The diplomas in this and
the other exercises will be delivered by COM
missioner Truesdell, and they Will be presided
over by Commissioner Ross