Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-03
Meeting Of Center Council Held Yes
terday Afternoon.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS and SANITATION
Reports Made and New LegisIa-
ton Recommended
BLIND AND DEAF CHILDREN


rotary. From the committee appointed TO
revise the constitution Miss X. p. Hosmer
n ade a report. submitting a number of
changes. which We're considered and will
be taken up for final action at the next
meeting.
The resignation of Rev. DIR. Newman the
chairman of the council, as member of
the organization was received, but action
was deferred until the next meeting.
Public School Sanitation.
report of the public school committee
was submitted by Mrs. Ala B. Foster.
that the Washington branch of the Asso-
citation of Collegiate Alumnae having TAX
en- up the work of inspecting the sani-
tary condition of the public schools in this
city, the most of the members of the COM
mittee appointed for the purpose became
members of the public school committee in
the civic Center, and the enlarged COM
mttee determined to keep to the plan of
the Collegiate Aiumnae, using the questions
prepared by the Boston branch but revis-
Ell and adapted to the needs here With
the cooperation of the school authorities
blanks We're sent to each teacher fer in
formation relative to the sanitary con-
dltlon of the school rooms while the data
relative to each building as whole have
been obtained by the members of the com
mIttce as the result of personal visits tn
the buildings. About forty of the build-
inss nave been inspected thus far the re-
port stated, and ii is expected that the
work Will be completed by the middle of
January.
RefCrcnce was made to a hearing had bv
the committee before the Senate appropria-
tiohs committee to urge the establishment
OF free kindereartens. but without result
Tine committee also brought to the atten-
Of iph Sob
heed of suitable luz cheons for the scholars
Inc committee added that at the new
Western High School a room is to be espe-
cially fitted up for the serving OF lunches
10 teachers and pupils, and it is the wish OF
the committee. the report stated. to take
charge of it. ard demonstrate that appe-
tizinS and nutritious lunches can be fur
nlShed at reasonable prices.
Children Eligible.
The committee recommended that steps
he taken to ascertain the number of chill
dren in the District Of kindergarten age as
well as Of school age. The report adds
that it has been sail there are many chill
dren of school age in the District who are
not in school becarse of lack of room and
the committee deems it wise to have this
question definitely settled.
The report was adopted, and the commit
tee authorized to continue its efforts in
favor of free kindersartenS.
IT. W est, IRON lDt coHlIfllltee on iran
chiseS. reported That street railroad corpo-
rations are row required by law to make
annual reports to the Senate and the House
of Repre- sen ia tives in regard to their condi-
ton, but there Is no penalty for neglecting
to make these reports. ard it is no ones
duty to see that the reports are made. 1t
is further stated that while street railroad
corporations are the only ones from which
reports are asked, the same principles are
applicable i'll the case Of gas and electric
lighting companies, telephone and subway
companies. and all corporations enjoying
special franchises
Suggested Legislation.
The committee submitted drafts of two
bills. one applying to all corporations and
an alternative bill correcting the defects in
the present law. 1t was further stated in
the report that the committee intended to
submit the bills to the District Commits
sioners and that the one receiving their ap-
proval shall be presented to Congress
The report was adopted.
From the committee on public health the
chairman. DIR. George NJ. kober, submit
ted report in which it was stated that
last year the committee. in cooperation
with the committee on streets and alleys,
made q report alley homes, which final
ly led to the organization of the Washing
ton Sanitary Improvement Company.
Question of Drainage.
The committee, the report stated, also
aided in the passage of a bill providing for
the drainage of lots. which has already en-
abled the health office to abandon over 900
box Drivies.
The report added that the investigation
of the causes of the contamination of the
Potomac river, the question of the sewer
system and the reclamation of the Ana
costa flats will continue to receive the at
tention of the committee. 1t was also re-
ported that the question of a pure milk
supply has in measure been solved by
the establishment of a milk laboratory. a
report of which will be submitted at the
next annual meeting by DIR. S. s. Adams
The effects of school life on the health of
children will be presented in a paper by
DR.. w. W. johnson.
Education of Blind and Deaf.
From the committee on the educa ton
of the blind and deaf a report was pre-
sented by Prof. Z. A. Fay. 1t was stated
that for the education of deaf children
ample provision is made by the national
and District governments in the school
at Kendall Green and for that of blind
children in the Maryland State School at
Baltimore, to which suitable applicants
from the District are sent at the public
expense. Regret was expressed that an in
qIiry to the deaf and blind children
was not made a part of the last police
census, for the reason, as stated in the
of such children growing UP in ignorance
simply because the authorities of the school
do not know of their existence and, their
parents do not Know of the existence of
the schools.
1t was further stated in the report that
if the names of such children We're report
ed to the District Commissioners and by
the latter to the president of the Column
bia Institution for the Deaf, through whom
application for the sending of blind chill
dren. we'll as Geaf children. to school
must be made information concerning the
schools could BE- given. and the result in
most cases would be that the great boon
of education would be conferred upon the
children.
For the Future.
The committee recommended that in
every future census inquiry should be made
to the names and residences of blind
and deaf children.
In regard to feeble-minded children the
committee state that those in the Dis
trict are sent to the institution at Elwyn
Pa, or to the one at Falls Church, Va
but il is added that neither of these in
situations likes to receive untrainable chill
drer. and there is provision for such
cases, unless they are homeless and friend
less. and for these suitable provision
Provision ought to be made, the report
states, somewhere in the United States