The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-16

Board of Control Communication
from Solicitor d. ]. Reedy Read.
The postponed meeting of the board
of control, which should have been
held last Monday night, but was in
terfered with by the storm, was held
last night There were few absentees
and the session was short, sharp and
business-like. For the first time in
many long months Secretary Il. d. Eel
lows occupied his place, attired in the
fun uniform of his rank as major Of
volunteers.
The pay rolls for January for the
day school teachers and substitutes,
amounting to 6,36722, were approved
and the drawing of orders therefore
directed. Upon motion of Controller
Casey the secretary was directed to
draw orders for the night school teach
ers as usual, though their rolls were
not submitted, owing to the month
only having ended yesterday
Reports of expenditures for the first
four months of the school year and the
amounts needed to continue until the
end of the term were made by the
various committees. Several depart
ments will have deficits. Little COM
ment was made upon the reports and
they were either referred 10 the proper
committees or filed. The dull mon
otouy was only broken by two incl
dents, the confirmation of the appoint
ment of Miss Orr to No. 20 annex and
a sort of reform measure suggested by
Controller Jennings.
President francois presided. Bids
for supplies, etc, We're opened and re-
ferred 20 the proper committees.
A WILLIAMSPORT BILL.
4 communication was received from
Sidney A. Seamans, chairman of the
finance committee of the Williamsport
board of control, stating that the board
had drawn up a bill to be presented to
the legislature by the senator from
that district for the purpose Of hav-
ing school taxes made liens against
real estate. He, in behalf of the Will
Transport board. urged upon the MEM
bers of the legislature from this cOun-
ty the necessity OF cooperation with
their representative in securing the
passage of the bill.
secretary was directed to communicate
with opr representatives at Harris
burg to that effect. The tax duplicate
for 1895, of which Edward Fidler is
collector, was reported as being re-
turned as collected. The matter WAS
referred to the finance committee.
Two Communications We're received
from Solicitor n. ]. Reedy. The one
referred to the matter of the propriety
Of the boards donating $12j towards
the buying and placing of a clock in
the tower at public school No. %, The
citizens in that neighborhOod bearing
the rest of the expense. solicitor
Reedy gave as his opinion, that it
would not be a legal act OF the part
of the board and the donation will
not be made.
In response to request from the
board as to whether the board was
liable to sewer, pave or other public
improvements assessments, running i'm
front of the school properties, solicitor
ReedY opined that they were not and
cited law to that effect. In other words
the board has practically given the city
money for these improvements in other
days, but perhaps win refuse to do
SO again.
DAY WILL BE OBSERVED.
Upon motion Of Controller Langan, /.
was decided that the schools be closed
Wednesday, Feb. 90, being the anniver-
sary of Washingtons birthday. Con-
troller OMalley stated that Patrick
Noone was ready and willing to pur-
chase old % school building and pay
$500 for it, if the board would accent
5000 each year and interest on the resi-,
The board took Mr.. Noone at his word
and he can begin paying right off.
Controller Jennings broached the mat
ter of having an Investigation made to
ascertain what schools have rooms so
exposed as to make keeping them warm
an impossibility during cold weather,
and thereby make some ARRANGEMENT
To remedy this evil. The suggestion
was considered good enough by the
board to have it direct that an inVesti-
cation be made by the building COM
mittee. Close upon the heels Of the
above, Controller Jennings introduced
the following resolution:
Resolved, That Il statement or report
be furnished each month 10 each member
by the superintendent showing the at
tendance at each building for teachers
based upon the enrolment ana also upon
the average attendance.
In explaining the object thereof. Mr.,
Jennings said that each ought to know
what the others schools are doing and
when the question of overcrowded or
shortage of attendance ever comes nm.
all Will have an intelligent idea of
where they We're at. The resolution
was, of course, unanimously adopted.
The following reports were presented
High school, SlL5GL57; teachers, sa4,-
600; night school, $6,I3G.70; repairs 81, 900;
new furniture, s2.SS2, janitors, 80 7G5; rents,
$l,0l5; officers and clerks, So, 7GO02: legal