The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-04
STEALING GOES ON
In the Public Schools and There
is Agitation
Among Parents as Well as the
School Board.
MRS. S,A. BOAM WRITES
A Pointed Letter to the Presl-
dent of the Board.
Action Likely to Be Taken by
the Board at Once.
MRS. S.A. BOAM WRITES

before the Schoot Doaro at Inc AHSetAHS
last night.
More or less pilfering has always been
going on in the schools, but of late has
reached such a degree that the board
took special measures to put stop to
1T by providing for the property OF
scholars, so far as is practical, to be
placed under lock and key.
Some three years ago the scholars
and teachers of the city schools were
greatly annoyed by stealing. Measures
were taken to prevent loss to those at
tending school and the thieving was
stopped. This winter it has again been
necessary to protect the cloaks, wraps,
hats and books of the scholars.
Most of the cloak rooms in the city
schools are open Railways easily access
sible from the street, and especially at
Clay, Harrison and Quincy schools,
clothing hung in the Railways has been
stolen. Thefts have not always been
brought TO the notice of the board. but
at last nights meeting the following
-'9- ~ Jan. 3, 1899.
Mr.. Edward Wilder, President Board Of
Education:
sir-Win you kindly submit to your
honorable body the enclosed bill for
loss of my sons Overcoat, which was
stolen from Clay school on or about
Dec. Z. The loss and the expense re-
sulting from advertising and searching
the pawn shops was entirely due to
negligence of the proper authorities in
failing to provide a safe and suitable
place for the scholars to keep their
wraps, which has not only caused loss
to US but to other children who were
the victims of similar pilfering. in an
open hall, easily accessible from the
street.
Having made all possible effort to
recover the coat and having now no
hope of doing so, we have had to re-
obliged if you will kindly see that this
bill has immediate attention and
prompt payment.
1 would also suggest that your honor
able body take Immediate measures to
prevent similar occurrences in the
future by providing a safe cloak room
so that no more children will have to
go home in severe weather improperly
clothed, exposed to almost certain
liability of sickness, permanent consti-
tutional injury and even possible DEATH
from negligenee-of some one who should
be promptly and properly disciplined.
Respectfully,
MRS. S. A. BoAM.
Topeka Board Of Education,
To Mrs S. A. Beam, DR.,
One overcoat stolen from Clay school IS
Advertising loss Of ame............ 2
Total ....................-. $40
The bill created query in the minds
of the members of the board as to
whether they were responsible for the
loss sustained by pupils.
Mr.. Wilder said: II would like legal
advice on the point to determine
whether we are legally responsible 1
do not believe that we would be set
ting a good precedent by allowing this
bill, but we should look after the
children's clothing
ANY one can go fl from the street
and steal from the cloak rooms in most
of the schools" said Mr. Macferran.
4 have visited several of the buildings
and have found that the cloak rooms
are entirely open and it is an easy
matter for persons to come in from the
street and help themselves. Nobody
need want for coats and wraps while
exists"
II understand that all the pilfering
mas not been done by outside parties. -
said Mr.. Wilder. I'm the high school it
has been reported that thieving has
been done by some one in the school"
Il move" said Mr.. Macferran that
the building committee make provision
for protecting the cloak rooms in all the
school buildings"
Mr.. Long seconded the motion and if
was carried unanimously. Mr. w H
Wilson, as chairman of the building
committee, announced that all cloak
rooms would be inspected and where it
IS FOUND possible to close them so that
they can not be reached from the hall
ways it will be done.
In some schools" said Mr. Wilson
ways and We can not enclose them
Build wardrobes," said Mr. Macfer-
ran.
Mr.. Wilson moved that the remaining
lot, Of the Captain Jack Curtis dona-
ton, be advertised for sale AT the
last meeting l was directed to sell it,
salo Mr: wilson, but 1 have had so
many offers that to be impartial 1 think
II should be advertised for sale and sold
10 the highest bidder" The motion
carried.
left three lots on North Kansas avenue
between Laurent and Gordon streets TO
be USED for school purposes. On account
or the location it was decided that the
land was not suitable for a school
building and the school board wished to
sell 1t. The Curtis heirs objected and
enoeaVored to regain it but an agree
nlent was hnaIly reached and the school
BOARD disposed of the north 25 feet
and the south rs feet. The remaining
20 feet, in the center of the original
tract, is to be sold
The school board controls a Iot 4, At,
tr1ct 40 that came into the CITY school
possessions when some of the additions
TO North Topeka We're Incorporated A
man nan py the name of J. w. Reedy has
peen living on the land and has refused
10 pay rent and has cut down some Of
the trees. He was arrested but after
not tried as
Mr.. Long reported that the commit
zee on kindergarten legislation had
MADE no progress.
Mr.. Wilson said: 1--WE have had
poorer coal this winter than ever he
rore since | nave been a member of
tne BOARD 1t is supposed to be screen
coaI out 1t is more like screenings
Mr. Hughes, who has the contract
cIalIns That he is furnishing the kind nj
coaI called for in the contract but il Is
the poorest coal we have ever had T
would like to have the clerk no+if1c A.
uSnes that We will not accept coal
unless the quality improves. The coal