The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-25
TO SAVE THE BOYS.
War Against Cigarettes
Goes Bravely On.
THE PLAN OF CAMPAIGN.
School Directors Considering
Badges and Pledges.
THE PLAN OF CAMPAIGN.
PUPILS TO BE PLACED ON HONOR.
Proceedings of the Special Commit
tee of the Board of Education.
The Girls VIII Help.

The crusade inaugurated by THE CALL
against the smoking of the deadly little
cigarettes by tie pupils of the public
schools is still being pushed forward by
the members of the Board of Education,
who are very sangune of the result. The
schooteachers and the parents of the chill
dren are also enthusiastic in regard to the
movement. which, from day to day, gath
ers force and increases in popularity.
The special committee from the Board
of Education appointed to investigate the
matter met last evening in the rooms of
the board to come to some definite conclu-
sion as 10 the most effective way of COM
batting the evil, and to formulate plan
of attack. The committee is composed of
DIR. c. A. Clinton (cbairman), James H.
Culver and j. II. Rosewald They were
all present, and Superintendent John
SWEET Joined heartily in the deliberations.
An informal discussion of the extent of
the habit among the schoolboys and the
sentiment in the schools and among the
patrons in regard TO its suppression was entered
into as prelude 10 the proceedings. All the
commltleemt n reported that there was but one
sentiment and that it was in favor of the ban
1shment OF Tie little paper and tobacco pests.
Getting closer TO the work in hand Mr.. Culver
submitted some suggestions for dealing the
monster which conffOn the board blows Thai
would be most likely 10 knock him out.
Three recommendations were submitted in
writing follows:
FiTst-In our opinion the most radical and
efficient way TO stop The perDicous habit is by
legislation and we would therefore suggest
that the Board OF Supervisors be requested to
pass an ordinance imposing license OF $50 per
quarter upon all persons engaged IN selling
cigarettes
Second-That the medical fraternity of the
city and county OF San Francisco be requested
TO affiX their signatures 10 document which
shall explain In detail the physical evils that
result from clgarette-smoklDg, and that the
document be circulated in all the schools OF the
city
Third-That the clergy Of all the denomina.
tons make cigarettes smoking the subject OF
their sermons on certain day to be selected
by themselves.
Director Rosewad thought the suggestions
all very good, and especially he one relating TO
the document TO be signed by the physicians
and distributed in the schools. He said: Il
think this measure Will result III great good.
Ii boy Is made TO understand that be Will
suffer physically, that is suffer actual pain II
he smokes. it VIII have more effect upon him
than all the moral suaslOn yon could bring TO
bear.
IF you make him realize that smoking will
make his stomach and lungs hurt him, you VIII
do more to keep him from smoking than if you
talked about the morality of the subject for
year."
1t was then suggested that DR.. Clinton, as the
medical expert OF the committee, be requested
10 draw up document such outlined by MIR.
culver, setting forth In as clear and concise
manner as possible the actual effect of smoking
cigarettes. DIT. Clinton agreed TO do this aud
report at the next meeting.
Director ROseWald also seconded the prO-
pOSal to request The Board of Supervisors 10
impose license on cigarette-dealers. III was
thought advisable to name no amount, aud the
recommendation VIII be that can ordinance be
passed levving the highest possible special
license upon all persons selling cigarettes"
The printing and distribu ion OF The circular
10 be signed by the physicians of tie city was
then discussed, and ii agreed that enough
copies should be struck of 10 give each boy in
the Iublc schools one.
81 would change that to include the girls"
said Superintendent SWEET. "You have no idea
how many giIls smoke. II is fact, / assure
you, though you might not think II possible"
The committee theIeupon decided to have
enough copies printed for every pupil In The
schools and for every teacher, and II was fur
ther agreed that The circular should be read by
the teachers to the child en- every Friday, so as
10 keep the subject constantly before them.
Then the committee fell to discussing the
badges TO be issued TO the pupils who would
pledge themselves not 10 smoke cigarettes.
Director Culver proposed a small metal button
TO be worn ID the coat lapel but here the ques-
ton of expense entered into the project rather
conspicuously. Superintendent SWEET said
that the badges worn by the members Of the
Band of Mercy cost cents apiece, though
they were manufactured by the Million But
what difference does that make =" be asked IF
you save the heath or life of only one boy?''
ION, Of course II is worth IT," answered DR..
Clint on, but will the board bear the expense :?
There are $4,000 boys in the schools and the
cost would be considerable" So the badges
were dtopped for further consideration at
some future time. Mr.. Culver was requested 10
think up some less expensive scheme
The committee inspected a printed pledge by
Director Culver. Il vas neatly executed on
Sx6 cardboard and contained the following
words:
The Board Of Education issues this certificate to
- pupil OF the public schools. in recognition OF
his promise and pl dyes of his word and sacred
hon or that he will abstain from the use of cigar
cites until he SHALL attain the age OF 81 years
There are blanks for the signatures of the
committee and the president and secretary of
the board. Then follows the pledge:
1 hereby promise upon my word and sacred
honor that from this time until l 2 years