The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-11
PROMPT ACTION
WAS TAKEN
SCHOOL BOARD ACTS ON VAC
c1NATroN QUESTION.
Health Officer Allen Pointed Out the
Necessity Of Strict Enforcement
of the Vaccination Law and spe-
cial Committee. Was Immediately
Appointed to Confer with the
Board of Health-Board Offers
$4,000 for seeley Property-Bids
for Addition to No. 35 Rejected.

The board of control last night took
question, after listening to Health Of
ficer Allen, who appeared as the rep
reseptative of the board OF health, and
who impressed upon the members the
urgent necessity of taking immediate
action to enforce the provisions Of the
vaccination law.
Dr. Allen stated that, in his opinion,
not one-half of the children in the
public schools at present are vaccin-
ated, as required by law. He told OF
the present smallpox epidemic in New
York and enlarged upon the fact that
Scranton is in closer communication
with that city than any other place
in this part of the country. He told
of the epidemic of the disease some
nineteen years ago, when some $23.-
600 had to be expended by the city in
stamping 1t out.
FTis views were concurred in by DIR.
O'Malley. Smallpox said he,
comes in cycles. 1t may strike us
one day and find us unprepared. If
it does, 1t will be because councils and
the school board have been derelict in
their duty. This is a matter of great
moment; a matter of the very great
est Importance and prompt action
should be taken"
COMMITTEE NAMED.
1t was decided to appoint a special
committee of three. with Dr. O'Mal-
ley as chairman, to confer with the
board of health and the attorney of
the board. for the purpose of devising
ways and means of enforcing the law.
1t was also decided to give the COM
mittGe full power to act for the board
IN the matter. Chairman Jayne
named as members of the committee
DR.. OMalley and Messrs. Barker and
SchWasS
For number Of years there has been
trouble over n lot in the rear of No. 10
school, owned by William H. Seeley.
Mr.. Seeley contended that the water
from the school property ran onto his
lot. Then he threatened to put up IL
building which would shut off the light
from the rear of the school. when he
found that the board would do nothing.
He finally decided to sell the property
for $500. but his attorney, H. c. Rey-
nolds. last night stated to the board
that he would take $3,150. 1t was unani-
mously decided to offer him $4,000 for
the property, and If he refused to ac-
cept that amount to break off all ne
gotiations.
Mr. Shires was on hand last night
with a resolution requesting the build
ing committee to report at the next
upon the necessity of erecting
an eight-room building in the First
ward, in response to the request of
over 200 petitioners living in that part
of the city. The resolution was re-
ferred to the building committee. as
was also one introduced by Mr.. Golden,
directing Architect Feeney to prepare
plans and specifications for new
building in the Sixth
ward.
The building committee reported that
Il number of bids had been received for
the addition to No. 80, but recommend
ed that all be rejected and that the
secretary be directed to re-advertise
for new bids. This recommendation
was adopted as was also a recommen-
dation that $50 be paid to each Of the
owners of the five anneXes rented while
No. school was being built, the money
to defray the expense of putting the
buildings back in their original con-
dition.
HOLIDAY VACATION.
The teachers committee recommend
ed that the schools be closed for the
holiday vacation on Friday, Dec. q
and opened on Wednesday, jan =. The
was adopted.
The secretary's report for the month
showed that the following deficiencies
had so far been created this year:
Text books. sl,14629; material, etc,
s392.O5: machinery, $S,O91.24. The report
was referred to the finance committee.
On motion of Mr.. Leonard the secre-
tary was instructed to correspond
with the owners of real estate In the
Twenty ward for the purpose OF
securing bids for school site in that
part of the city.
The teachers payroll for the month
ending Dec. was passed, as was also
the night school teachers payroll for
the month ending today. 1t was de-
cided that the officers. janitors and all
other employees of the board should be
paid for the month OF December on the
before Christmas