The San Francisco call., 1896-02-15
Result of the Bad Sanitary
Condition of School Build.
ings.
SEVERAL WILL BE CLOSED.
The Board of Health Practically Gives
an Ultimatum to the Super.
viSors.

AS the result OF the bad sanitary condi-
ton of the Longfellow School on Silver
street en- epidemic of scarlet fever has de-
veloped in the institution, and unless the
Board of Education or Board of Super
visors take immediate steps to improve
matters the Board Of Health will close not
only this but dozen or more of institu-
tions of learning, where the santa ton is
far from satisfactory.
Among the schools that have fallen
under the ban of the health authorities
through the adverse reports of Health
Officer Lovelace are the following:
Mission Grammar, Webster Primary,
Lincoln Grammar, Everett Grammar, Mar
shall Grammar, Buena Vista Primary,
Columbia Grammar, Paramount Primary,
Bernal Heights Primary, Horace Mann
Grammar, Irving Primary, Cooper Pri-
mary and Longfellow Primary.
The Board of Education insists that the
Board of Supervisors should provide for
putting the schools in sanitary condition
out of the urgent necessity fund in view
of the fact thatits own funds have all been
figured on for other purposes. The Super
visors on the other hand disclaim all re-
sponsibility and say that the School
Directors must look after their own affairs.
The Board of Health is not particularly
concerned as TO which public fund is drawn
on for the repairs, but the work must he
done and Immediately. The matter came
to head yesterday at the meeting of the
Finance Committee of the Board of Super
yisors when School Directors McEiroy and
Henderson and Drs. Hart, Rosenstirn and
Lovelace of the Board of Health were pres
ent to urge that the necessary money be
appropriated at once.
They figured that the work would cost
about $40 900, and that all schools where
old and out-of-date sanitary appliances
are in use must be at once fitted with
modern plumbing.
DR.. Rosenstirn explained the reason of
the visit and stated that the Board of
Health had decided after careful investi-
CATION that the schools must be repaired at
once or closed.
''These schools are menace not only
10 the health OF the pupils but to that of
the community at large" he said, land
our duties as guardians of the health of
the people compel Us to take measures to
prevent contagion. Already scarlet fever
has appeared in the Longfellow School
three cases having been reported within a
week-and is likely, as we'll as other dis
eases, TO spread throughout the City from
the bad sanitary arrangements. We
understand that it is the duty of the Board
OF Health TO do this work, and we come
here to urge you to take some steps in the
matter"
Chairman Taylor of the committee stated.
that the Board of Supervisors had no
power to appropriate any money for such
a purpose. He said that the COMMITTEES
had just been informed by Auditor Brod-
erlck that the urgent necessity fund was
nearly exhausted and that future drafts
for the present fiscal year must be small.
The Supervisors cannot help the Board
OF Education in this matter" concluded
Mr. Taylor.
'Weil," said DR.. Rosenstirn decidedly
when Mr.. Taylor had ceased speaking,
I'VE expect this work to be done. Wooden
appliances must be replaced by modern
plumbing"
School Director McElroy spoke at some
length on the needs OF the department.
claiming that the appropriation for
school purposes Is not sufficient to war
rant such an outlay, and that the Board
OF Supervisors must help out with an ap-
preparation.
He was again assured that while the
committee would like to favor an appro-
p1atlon, such measure was clearly out
OF its province, and that it must refuse.
DR.. RoSenstirn said, after the meeting
had adjourned, that the Board of Health
would take the matter up at its regular
meeting on Wednesday next, and that
something would probably be done to
convince the Board OF Supervisors that the
schools must be attended to, and at once
"lt would be a shame to close these
schools now in the middle of term, !" he
said, for it would prevent several thou
sand pupils from attending to their
studies, and throw hundreds OF teachers
ont OF their employment: but this matter
must be attended to, and the Board of
Health will not stand idly by while the
public safety is at stake. We will take
stringent measures to remedy the evil if
necessary"