The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-06-25

The total deposits for each Of the
public schools which were using the
Saving fund" idea have been compiled
by the West Side bank. at which the
deposits were made. For No. 49, from
Dec. Is, 81, to June 10, '9S, $ili.9l;
for No. IS, from Jan. 25, '9S, to June
| IS, '9S, S37S.O2; for No. 80. Jan. :, '9S,
to June G. '9s, $llO5O. Each of the
above totals furnish an irrefu!ablr
| fact that great results can be obtained
| from small but continued efforts. A
short sketch of the savings fund"
| idea and it's introduction into the pub
lie schools might not be amiss at this
point.
Last fall after some experiment and
a thorough investigation concerning
the matter, Miss Josie d. Lees, prin-
cipal of public school No. 10, submitted
request to the board of control ask
ing that permission be given her to
introduce the small savings fund idea
at her school. city Superintendent
Howell heartily endorsed the idea and
the request was readily acceded to by
the board. Miss Lees then perfected
her preparations, and on Monday, Dec.
Z. 1897, the first deposit made collec-
|
West Side bank.
| There were many who were Skep-
tical others who openly spoke against
it. but there We're also others who be-
lievcd in the principle involved, and
gave their sympathy and encourage
ment to Miss Lees. She went quietly
forward. Every Monday a collection
was taken and a deposit made. Each
| l,,rr H., 1,1F
as the idea became more and more
clear. The parents of the pupils first
considered and then seconded the ef-
forts of the principal.
The child was taught thrift, econ.
omy, industry, attention, and, above
all. the spirit of working towards ar
end which offered independence and
gave self-relance. The teachers un,
: dor Miss Lees quickly caught hcl
quiet enthusiasm and began to vie Will
one another towards accomplishing
the best results. The general bene
fetal effect was soon felt Throughout
the school.
Complete vindiCatiOn came wheI
other school principals sought in
. formation concerning the saving
= fund" idea, and later introduced it a
| /
The Tribune fully proved that tn,
, idea was feasible, and moreover hat
come to stay.
; David Owens, principal at school No
9 Is, saw the many advantages, and af
ter careful canvass among his teach
; ers and pupils, finding as he did
= sympathy for the idea, he decided L
, introduce it at his school. So success
| Ga Il ~
almost equal to those of No. 10, thougI
: starting nearly two months later. Nj
Owens made the first deposit Jan. Il
1898.
: The week before II. L. Morgan, prin
, cipal of school No. 80. had made a de
pOsit from that school, which onl
represented a few rooms and was no
a general result of the introduction
The idea gradually spread and his de
posits grew.
No other schools on this side hav
thus far taken up the idea, but the
may at the opening of the next teri
in September. Several schools in 9th
er sections Of the city have been us
ing the fund idea, and it's feasibilit
is thus assured. Many of the chldre
have signited their intention of say
ing during their vacation. This fac
shows how strong a hold the principl
has taken.
Space will not permit of the print
ing of the totals for each room or III
list of depositors in the several room
|, the number running into the hundred
q 1t would, however, be a grand roll
honor of those who are convinced b
u trying that "a penny earned, is
penny saved"