The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-04
THE SCHOOL BOARD
DISCUSSED VACCINATION
Directors Believe 1t Prudent to Pre-
pare for Possible Emergency.
Other Matters of Board Meeting.

The school board at its meeting last
night gave some time to the discussion
Of vaccination of the school children of
the district as u prudent move in the
face of the spread of the smallpox
i'll towns down the valley. No specific
action resulted, but the board made Il
move that will fortify what action may
be necessary in the face of the progress
of the disease in nearby towns.
The matter was brought before the
board by President Hughes. He ap-
preached the subject by declaring that
it was not n pleasant subject to dis
cuss, yet prudence dictated that the
board take such steps at this time as
would enable it to act with despatch
and definite results in case such action
would be necessary. While the health
statistics of Carbondale he went on,
are gratifying, yet it would not be
prudent to trust wholly to Providence;
the proVerbial ounce OF prevention is
particularly applicable in this case.
Mr.. Hughes impressed on the di-
reCtors that he was not an alarmist,
but he was only urging due prepara-
tion for possibility that might be re-
mote or otherwise It was his opinion
that the public should know that the
board was showing some interest and
concern in Il matter so vital as this,
rs he anticipated Il ready cooperation
on the part of the public when the
public interest was being consulted.
President Hughes Judgment was
readily concurred in by the other di-
rectors At the suggestion of City Su-
perntendent of Schools Carr, who was
at the meeting, Mr.. Evans brought up
the matter of disinfecting the schools
at least once year. President Hughes,
in discussing the proposition, expressed
the opinion that such q move would
be an expensive one, inasmuch as it
would require, to be effective, the pur-
chase OF Il fumigating apparatus, or,
perhaps several of them at q consider
able cost. While he believed the sug-
Gestion was q worthy one, yet he did
not consider it good Judgment to spend
the money that would be required for
fumigation when there was not con-
tagion present in the city The schools
are in q sanitary condition, he believed,
and all that should be done under pres
ent circumstances, would be to remind
the junitors and others to exercise
care in their work Of cleaning about
the schools
The discussion ended with the adop-
ton of o motion that gave certain
| instructions to superintendent Carr
which, when carried out, will inform
the board as TO how to deal with the
question OF vaccination, should the
emergency arise
| Aside from this, there was nothing
of interest at the meeting, except the
superintendent monthly report. This
showed the attendance for January to
be 2,37G; males, 1,14t; females, 1925.
| As compared with January of last
year, there was an appreciable in
crease, generally enrolment, attend
ancc, etc.
The following bills We're ordered
paid: Won Beck Bros, $l4G1 Reyn-
shanhurst Water company, $2S.91; Con-
solidated Water company, S31.50; Lead
er Printing company, $10.S0; Miners
and Mechanics bank, interest on
bonds, 1884; John Booth, $79,25; Della
ware and Hudson company, coal,
$2SO.23.
| Treasurer Swisert reported that he
had received from Tax Collector Watt
$1,000 ON the 1900 duplicate, and $1,000
on the duplicate Of 1901.