Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-11-17
Council Bluffs Fears 1t Will
Lose State School For Deaf
and Dumb
PRESENT SITE is UNDESIRABLE
The Members of the State Board of
Control Oppose tho Expenditure of
Any More Money for Buildings or
improvements On Present sits-De-
cision Rests With Legislature.
Special to Timee-Republican.

Special to TimeS-Republlcan.
Council Bluffs, Nov. 17.-Just now
Council Bluffs is somewhat worried for
fear it may lose the state school for the
deaf and dumb, which has been located
here ever since 1t was established. The
people of this city have for long tins
been aware of rumors that powerful In
auences would seek to remove the
school, but 1t has been more especially
perturbed since the report of the state
board of control was made public. The
board did not suggest the desirability
OF relocation, but there was a tone In
the discussion that has stirred up NOT
a little uneasiness here. 1t declare
that the pre- ient site is undesirable an
that it is feared to be an entering
wedge for entire removal.
The members Of the board We're il.
Council Bluffs Sunday investigating
conditions here. 1t Is their opinion that
IL the Iowa School for the Deaf is to
be maintained at Council Bluffs these
conditions and requirements must be
met:
tract of land of not less than 400
acres must be available.
The land must be comparatively lev
ell and suitable for building purposes
and for all the requirements of agri-
culture.
1t must lie within the city limits o!
on a trolley line that will provide cheap
and speedy transit for teachers and
pupils.
1t must not be surrounded or hemmed
in by railroads that may endanser the
lives Of the pupils in crossing them.
It must lie close enough to trunk
lime railroads to permit the construc-
ton Of a switch for use in delivering
the institutions supplies.
The land must be purchased cheap
ly. or slightly above the normal prices
Of farm lands.
The land must be neither hilly nor
muddy.
The board ia unalterably opposed to
any further expenditures for buildings
or improvements on the present site
Of the school.
ION the question Of removal to some
other site in some other city, the board
is entirely noncommittal. without pref
udice or preference. said Chairman
Cownie. Upon the question OF remov-
al from its present site the board Is
unalterably convinced of the necessity
for a change OF location. Where that
new location may be the board has no
prejudice and will have nothing to say
about 1t, that question being solely an
swerable by the legislature.
1.-THE members of the board are "A
unit in their determination to oppose
the expenditure OF any more money for
buildings or improvements on the pres
ent site 1t is unsuitable for the needs
OF such an institution. in almost every
respect. 1t was unsuitable at the start,
and with its development and increas-
ing needs it has grown more so each
year and is now wholly inadequate.
Totally without means OF communica-
ton. except by wagons over muddy,
dirty roads, 1t is too far away from the
city. The tract of land upon which II
is located is entirely inadequate to the
economical conduct and the training OF
the pupils, many OF whom expect to be-
come farmers. The institution should
never have been put there at the start
and II should now, in the interest OF
the people of the whole state. be re-
moved to proper site at once
1t is likely that the local Commercial
Club will push itself into the fight to
retain the school.