The San Francisco call., 1897-09-25
SCHOOL BOARD
SUITS ASSURED
DR.. O'Donnell and Attorney
Wall Will Seek to Gust
Directors.
A Sample Of How a Yellow
Journal Revamps Old News
for New.
Nepotism and Other Abuses May Come
to Light-Sanitary Inspectors
Discharged.

The Examiner yesterday morning en-
ployed its usual scheme of waiting u1tiI
news on which 1t had been beaten is from
three days to week old and then spring
ing it as a sen sation with view of fooling
its readers into a belief that it is always
up to date.
Several days ago THE CALL announced
that because of the cuts made in the ap-
propriations by the new Board of Super
vlsors there would be retrenchment all
along the line, and that among others the
Health and School departments would let
out portion of their laborers. The Ex-
aminer. in head lines two columns wide,
announced this as something new, and
stated That twenty-one men would be dis
charged from the School Department.
Asa matter of fact about fifteen men
were laid off and others may be. but the
Examiner was several days late in diacov-
ering it.
Director Waller, chairman of the Health
Committee gave notice yesterday to Dr..
c. SchiIling and John Cosligan, the two
sanitary inspectors of schools to make
out their time for to-day, which means
that their services Will have to be dis
pensed with.
81 am sorry that this had to be done"
he stated last evening, land think it is
in fact, shame.
These men have been OF great service,
have perform ed their duties conscien-
tiously, and are badly needed. For in
stance, here is a report on the Washing
ton Gram mar School, handed in lately by
Cosugan."
The port referred to was by Costigan
concerning Miss Houghtons classroom.
1t asserted that an examination showed
many OF the desks too high and seats too
low, and vice versa Many of the pupils
were said to be obliged to stand while
writing, and parents in several cases were
reported as threatening to take their chill
dren from school if the conditions pre-
vailing were not bettered.
Director Burns denied that any remov-
ais had been made in his department yes
terday, but admitted that about fourteen
or fifteen will have to be re moved the first
OF next month. He said $751; of the
81, 100000 appropriation must go for the
payment OF back salaries, leaving only
$f.085, 600 for the year.
at has been charged" he said, that
most OF these men occupy sinecures, but
this is not true. They are good men and
do good 1ork-as good as for any private
individual-and | hate to let them go
until the last moment
There was considerable activity in school
matters yesterday, tine rivalry between
Plaintiff ODonnell and Plaintiff Wall,
both eager to GUST the present Board of
Education, reaching fever heat by noon.
1t is understood by those close to Attor-
ney Wall, who is said to be attorney for
large element reIigiously opposed to the
board, that he will pro badly proceed Grim
inally under section 772 as a victory in
this case would give him a reward OF $500,
and as he is out for fees he is friendly to
the act which gives to the informer re-
ward.
Dr. O'Donnell laughs at the idea of try
ing 10 make money out of the suit and
proclaims that he is foi the people and
that he is moved by strong desire to
benefit the whole people.
Attorney Wall has mystlfied the CLERK
by asking for all sorts of facts and figures
relative to the conduct of the depar tment
He assumes that there have been a great
many contracts let for more than the
statutory 5000 by a species OF splitting
jobs INTO many parts.
The question of nepotism cannot cut
any legal figure in the case, but Superin-
tendent Webster and Others have COM
piled table showing that the relatives o.
the Directors are not suffering for lack of
employment. The list Includes the fol-
lowing among others: Two daughters of
Director Caiew, a sister of Director
Drucker, sister of DR.. Ragan, niece of
Director Hammond, sister-in-law OF
Director Darlington, sister in-law of
Director Waller, and many relatives of re-
mote degree.
1t is said that there has been great