The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-01
Ten New Cases of Diphtheria
Reported at the Health
Office.
cUTw1TTED THE INSPECTORS
The Board Is Awaiting an Opinion
From Its Attorney Before Pro-
ceedipg Further.

his institution of learning, after it had
been ordered closed by the Health Depart
ment.
Moreover. the priest says that he will
continue to keep the school open until
more serious obstacles than those that
have already been placed in his way pre-
sent themselves.
The ST. Francis School adjoins the Notre
Dame Parochial School, on Sixteenth and
Dolores streets, and in this general local
ity are also situated the Everett, Mission
and Marshall public schools.
These institutions are all in the Fourth
District. presided over by Health In
spector Duren, and from this district the
largest number of cases have been re-
portet, the majority being scholars or reia-
tives of scholars from the schools.
At recent meeting OF the Board of
Health. after the spread of the dread
disease had become alarming, a resolution
was passed declaring the plumbing and
outhouses OF the schools nuisances and
ordering the buildings closed.
This of course raised storm from the
Board of Education and the authorities of
the parochiai schools. and. efforts were
made to induce the Health Department TO
rescind its action, but without avail. The
board was obdurate. and practically stated
that it would not be able to check the
spread of the disease unless the schools
were closed.
Then the Board of Education rose up in
its might and defied the Health Depart
ment, passing at a special meeting reso-
luton declaring its intention OF opening
the Everett Mission and Marshall schools
to-day.
Father Brennan said nothing, but de-
terInined to also defy the medical men.
Many OF his pupils were quietly informed
that school would be held yesterday, and
in consequence large number Of pupils
were on hand at 8 o'clock. The Board of
Health had anticipated such action, and
Inspectors Duren and Willard were sta
toned in front of the building when the
children began 10 arrive.
Father Brennan h ad removed the notice
stating that the building was closed by
order of the Board of Health, but they
made up for the loss by telling the chill
dren that they must not enter the build
ing. Within a short time big crowd was
on the sidewalk anc then the priest put in
an appearance and held consultation
with NUMBER OF the pnpllS.
The result was flank movement that
baffled the inspectors and won the day for
Father Brennan. He led the way into the
parochial residence, which is ad jacent to
the school building, out the back entrance
and through a sidedoor OF the school
where the children were sent to their
classrooms, anu the business OF the day
proceeded as though nothing unusual had
happened. By the time the classes were
n Of bo erhn ln bo Of
the school were inside.
Shortly after 8 o'clock the Health Off,
Ger, who had been telephoned for by the
inspectors, arrived and was told what had
happened.
council of war was held, after which
he approached the parochial residence
and asked to see Father Brennan. His
wish was gratified, and the priest came
forth. smiling and good hamored.
Are you holding school to-day in your
residence?" inquired Lovelace.
"Oh, nc" was the answer; "we're still
doing business at the old stand"
That ended the colloquy. The priest
returned 10 his classroom and Lovelace
came back to town TO consult with his su.
periors.
School was held in the afternoon with
out interruption. the two inspectors hay
ing vacated their position.
The rue m bers OF the board were as dumb
as oysters last evening as to what course
they would pursue in the matter of Father
Brennan's def. Dr.. Morse stated that
there had been no meeting or caucus since
it was learned that the st. Francis School.
had opened, but that The attorney of the
board had been asked for an opinion as
to the power of the department in the
premises, and all action would be deferred
until that was rendered The board holds
special session to-day to discuss other
matters, and the opinion Is expected by
that time.
| or not the Board OF Education has carried
| out its plan of opening the Everett, Mis-
sion and Marshall schools, and all will be
taken up at the same time.
Despite the denial that the board has
| come to any decision regarding the ST.
| Francis School, it Is known that q
| majority of the board favor strong meas-
| ures, and that the arrest of Father Bren-
nan may follow his refusal to close the
school, provided the attorney of the
board renders an opinion that the power
| OF the department extends to parochial
as well as public schools.
| Ten new cases of diphtheria were re-
ported at the Health Office YESTERDAY,
] largely increasing the alarm of the de pa TT
ment over the spread OF the disease. The
| cases We're distributed over large area
but number were in the infected district
in the Mission that has been causing so
much uneasiness. The new cases were
located as follows: HOS Vallejo street,
| GIG Greenwich street, two at 116 Lexington
avenue, two at 81 Church street, two at 5
| Pond street, 1915 Nineteeth street.
| These make iorty-seven cases for the
month, an increase of eight over last
month.
| The death rate is not so great. owing, it
is believed, to the more general use of
antitoxlne serum by local physicians.
| There were only three deaths against six
| for last month.
| THE first objection made to this
| school," said Father Brennan. after the
| field was clear. twas that the closets were
not in good condition. ~They are not
| patent closets, but they are in excellent
condition, being flushed twice day. The
objections made were puerile and were
| soon overcome.
Then they said there was danger from
| contagion. Well, every pupil suffering
from diphtheria and returning to this
school has been accom- panied by certifi-
cate from q competent physician pro-
nouncing him or her well and free from
| all faint of the disease.
There is absolutely no reason for try
/ ing to Close this schooi.@ Tho hoard 4, os