The herald., 1897-05-25
WARM DISCUSSION ON TREES
MR.. BRALY MISUNDERSTANDS
INSTRUCTIONS
Another Argument Over the Purchase
Of Supplies-Report Of the Su-
perintendent Of Schools

in the chair and the full board present.
The minutes Of the previous meeting
were read and approved, after which the
following communications were read:
A letter from the Fitch Chemical COM
pany OF Bay City, Mich, offering dis
infectant for schools, which was order
ed filed; a request from County Super
intendent Riley for the use Of two rooms
in the Spring street school building In
which to conduct the semi-annual coun-
ty examinat ton, which was granted: d
communication from the city clerk in re-
lation to buildings, filed; from s. H.
Moore, principal of the Seventh street
school, inviting the board Of education
to be present at q fiag-raising on Friday
afternoon at 1880, accepted; from Stur-
tions, the photographer, requesting the
privilege Of photographing the schools
as the pupils are leaving, and taking or
ders for the same from the teachers,
granted: from s. A. Widney, offering to
furnish dictionaries at discount, or
dered filed. ~.-.,
The report Of the finance committee
was read and ordered filed; also a3rec-
ommendation from Engineer c. B..
Story concerning changes In ventila-
ton. referred to the high school COM
mittee. The committee on teachers and
schools recommended that the resigna-
ton of Miss Ella H. Kane be accepted.
also that the leave of absence of Mrs.
Bella M. True be extended to June 70.
1897, which was granted. 4.
The committee on insurance reported
five bids from insurance companies, on
the new pianor recently purchased. On
motion the valuation of each instrument
was placed at $500, and insurance or
dered for the eame to the lowest bidder
Mr. McInerny, as chairman on JAM
itors and visiting. moved that convey
ances be furnished the committee to
visit the schools, and Mr.. Webb moved
an amendment that they be furnished
all committees. Mr.. Davis, objected, on
the ground that in his opinion the law
does not give the board legal right to so
employ the funds. A heated. discussion
on. the point was imminent when Mr..
Poor settled the question by referring to
the fact that the matter was taken into
court come years. ago and the court had
decided that the board Of education had
the right to hire conveyances when
needed. After lengthy discussion the
motion carried. .
Superintendent Foshay reported the
total enrolment of the. schools for the
month ending May 14th. 1888: average
daily attendance, 14.016; new pupils en-
tered 220; total amount contributed to
the fund for the unemployed. by pupils,
teachers. janitors and others connected
with the schools. $1244S4. Mr.. Bartlett
offered resolution Of thanks from the
board to the principals, pupils, teachers,
janitors etc., who had responded to the
call of the needy.
Under the head of unfinished busine So
Mr.. Braly moved that a bin of $22. 80 for
trees purchased for the Norwood and
Harper schools. in his ward, be allowed
Mr.. Webb objected with considerable
heat, giving as his reason that 1t was not
ordered by committee; that the chair
man of the finance committee, Mr..
Braly had refused to audit Bills from
the purchasing committee, of which he
was chairman, and that the gentleman
had not been Instructed to purchase
trees. said instructions having been
given to the building committee. Mr..
Braly explained his position in the mat
ter, the circumstances under which they
were procured, and that he understood
himself to be 80 instructed.
He had sent to Fresno for umbrella
trees, not finding good ones in this city,
raid the freight and ordered them set
out. Mr.. Bartlett objected to umbrella
trees, as not being hardy, and also to the
reflection cast on the building COM
mittee in the statement that the Fresno
trees were lower in price than those pur-
chased by the committee.
The discussion was long and heated,
ond was growing rapidly warmer wher
Mr.. Davis moved. as a matter OF cour-
tesy to Mr.. Braly Che evidently acting
under misapprehension) that the bill
be allowed. The motion was lost.
Mr.. Poor moved that. in view Of the
state of finances. the schools close on the
18th of June. Professor Foshay being
referred to for information, said that
the work could be finished by the datt.
named, which would make the school
year nine months and one week. In
the past ten years in only three in
stances had the school year exceeded
nine months.
Mr.. Davis moved to reconsider Mr..
Braly's motion. which precipitated an
other heated objection from Mr.. Webb,
and the motion was finally lost Mr..
Davis moved that motion made by
him at previous meeting, concerning
the purchase Of supplies. be taken from
the table and adopted. This motion was.
in effect, that a list of all supplies to be
purchased be posted in the board room
for Ave days, and notice of the same
given through the daily papers, his OBJ
ject being to open purchases to competi-
tion. Mr.. Webb averred that all cup
plies had been bought after bids had
been received from several firms, and
gave instances OF trials. he had cncoun-
tered in the purchase Of the safe and the
humiliation endured in marching UP and
down Spring streetwith dust brushes
under his coat-tails in his efforts to
find where he could buy them at the
lowest price. He was supported in his
statements by the secretary and other
members Of the board.
4 Mr.. Webb suggested that the secretary
be instructed to procure the formula
used by the United States government
in advertising for bids for the purchase
Of supplies.
Adjourned.
Santa Monica Road Race
The annual road race of the Los An.
Qe1ea Vvhee1mAn I'LL ta1sS 1890 -. .Sp..a.-