The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-27

up its affairs last evening in Il verit-
able blaze of glory by furnishing a
delightful little caustic and heated de-
bate on the question-Who authorized
plumbing work amounting to $I659S in
No. 81 school building? 1t was claim
ed by some that Mr.. Barker author
lied the work done and the fact was
pointed out that II. S. Battin. who did
the work, is Mr. Barker's brother-in.
law.
The matter was first brought up by
Chairman Shires, of the building COM
mittee. who said that body had con =.
sidered the bill and didn't feel justified
in paying it until they knew who
authorized the expenditure. The de-
bate that followed was exceedingly
lively. Mr.. Barker explained that he
left the matter to Superintendent of
Repairs Davis, and the chairman of
the building committee. N,r. Shircs,
thought at first that the work would
only cost about so. Mr.. Gibbons then
made few satirical remarks.
MIR. GIBBONS REMARKS.
Just loo. at this for extravaganza.
Look at this for a reckless way of
work amounting to even 800 in my
fifteen years on the board. Mr.. Bar
ker tries to lay It on Mr.. Davis, but
the truth is he ought to pay the bill
! himself. Mr.. Battin is his brother-in-
| law, anu of course he went to him
and said, 'brother-in-law, go ahead Iii
/ stand for it.
Il was attacked because my brother
| got a coal contract. but he got that
| contract fairly and honestly. Mr.. Bar
/ ker wants to keep his own skirts clean
| before he talks of anyone else. ] move
| that the bill be recomnitted to the
| committee to see If the work has been
done"
Mr.. Barker then stated that he didn't
order the work done. He admitted
that Mr.. Eattin was his brother-in-
! law and didn't see that that was any
| reason why he shouldn't get the work
He persisted in saying that Mr.. Davis
authorized the work.
| Mr.. Davis then took the floor by re-
quest and gave q little different ver-
sion of the affair lie stated that he
net Mr.. Barker on the street and thai
| the latter told him there was some
work to be done right away at No. 35
| Mr.. Davis said he wanted to bring til,
matter before the committee, but Mr.
! Barker said that the work should bs
done right away and they couldn't
! wait for the committee. Mr.. Davis
! asked who he should send and Mr.
Barker said anyon. he liked, but sus
| gested Mr.. Battir. Nh Davis sen,
| Mir. Battin up, and not knowing any.
thing about plumbing. didn't know
how much it would he.
| DAVIS DIDN'T KNOW.
| This last remark prompted Mr.. Glib
bons to eXCl2im: Look at that vii
| you. Mr.. Barker knew that Mr.. Davi,
didn't know anything about plumbins
and SO he went to him. Look at tina
| for cunning"
Mr.. Gibbons motion to refer bacl
to the committee was amended to reaC
"to the committee, Engineer Phillip
and the plumbing inspector" and Wa
carried. Mr.. Rarker succeeded IN hav
ing Mr.. Gibbons included and said tha
If there was one foot Of pipe charge,
for that was net put in he'd vot
against the bill. Some one remarka,
that the question at issue was not tha
but was as to who authorized tn
work. The matter dropped here, how
ever.
On the recommendation of the teach
ers' committee Miss Helen Fcatenb,
was appointed teacher in No. II schoo
to succeed Miss Maud Powers an
Miss Mary Jordan was appoiptc.
teacher in No. p to succeed u. r
Davis.
| The kindergarten committee recon-
mcnded that the following klndergar
ten teachers be appointed. Miss Eliza
beth Rice, director, $40 month"; Mis-
Mary f. Clarke, Director $40 Q north
Miss Clara Gregory, assistant, s26
month; Miss Susan NJ. Frank, assis
tant $50 Il month. The teachers wer
all appointed and, thanks to the super
ior eloHucncc Of Mr.. Gibbons, the sal
aries of the two last were increased I
$3j month.
The supply committee reported tina
they had awarded the contract for sup
plying school pads to Reynolds Broth
ers, the price being $3.50 a thousand.
BOOKS ORDERED.
A requisition for books made som
time ago by Superintendent Howell wa
ordered filled, and bill for fumigatin
school buildings, presented by Barbe
e. Townsend and held up by the build
ing committee on the ground that
was excessive, was ordered paid.
Messrs. Eynon and Golden, the ne,
controllers from the Fourth and Sixt
wards, respectively, We're intereste
spectators of last evenings proceed
ings. evidently with a desire of gettin
acquainted with school board parlia
mentary law. which Is certainly uniuu
to an ordinary layman.