The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-11-15
FOR FIRE DRILLS
IN The SCHOOLS
BossD OF EDUCATION VOTES.
WILL BE QUICK-DIsMIssAL DRILLS
AT IRREGULAR HOURS.

Ordinance Was "Recetved AS InfOr-
nation" by Board - Resolution
Then Unanimously AdOpted-ResO-
luton Provides That Present Dis
InissaI Drills, Which Have Been
In Force for Years, BE Held at
Lenst Twice a Month nt Irregular
Hours as Fire Drills.
The fire-drin ordinance recent
" passed by the City Council was
taken I'D last night by the Board of
Education and was received as in
formation"
Immediately afterward reso-
luton was passed directing
Superintendent Ashmore to ar
range the quick-dismissal drills now in
effect so that twice month they
should be held at irregular hours and
shall be fire-drills." This resolution
was unanimously passed, Alderman r.
]. Davant, a member of the board not
voting, he requesting that he be ex-
cused owing to his membership in
the City Council.
nose at Ile UlCGAllS WtlC
dent George A. Mercer, Col. ]. H. Es-
till, Judge Samuel b. Adams. Capt.
NJ. A O'Byrne, Capt. Henry Blum, Mr..
Lee Roy Myers, Mr.. P. A. Stovall, DR..
NJ. F. Dunn, DR.. T. ]. Charlton, Mr..
r. ]. Davant, and Supt Otis Ash
more. The principal feature was the
fire-drill ordinance. and after routine
business had been disposed of this was
taken up.
The ordinance as passed by Council
was first read to the board, making
the presentation official. President
Mercer, after motion had been made
by Col. Estill that the matter be re-
ceived as informa ton, asked for re-
marks.
The Board Divided.
The sentiment was apparently
somewhat divided. A number
took the position that it was on
usurpation on the part of City Council
of the rights and powers of the Board
of Education, and therefore 1t should
be ignored. Others, while taking the
same position if it was such an usur-
patton, held that the action of Council
had called attention to the need in the
schools and that as such 1t should be
needed.
Opinion as to the legality of the or
dinance was then expressed. 1t was
stated by one member of the Board
that the legal members, and especially
Mr.. ]. r. Saussy, were of the opinion
that the ordinance would not be up
held by the Supreme Court. 1t was
stated that ne had carefully examined
the question before reaching this opin-
ion. Col. Mercer took similar stand
After discussion, the sentiment OF
the Board seemed to crystalline itself
into the opinion that no interference on
the part of the city with the rights and
powers of the Board under their char
ter should be tolerated, but that each
should keep to it's own province. AS a
good thing for the schools, however
opinion seemed to be that the fire.
drills should be instituted.
Resolution Was Adopted.
After the motion that the ordinance
be received as information" had been
passed the following resolution was
offered and unanimously adopted by the
board:
Resolved: That the superintendent
Of public schools be and he is here
by directed to so arrange the quick
dismissal drills now in vogue in the
several schools so that twice month.
or oftener. during the school year. said
drills at irregular hours shall be fire
drills in the sense and for the purpose
intended by the ordinance recently
passed by the Mayor and aldermen
of the city of Savannah"
The quick dismissal drills which have
been in force in the Savannah schools
at least during the time, Mr.. Ashmore
has been superintendent will now be
held at least twice each month dur
ing the school year at irregular hours
and held as rR-drills