The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-18
Board of Education and Health
Board Still Opposed.
Two Changes In Plumbing Or
dinance Are Proposed.
DON'T WANT EITHER.
School Board Thinks Changes
Are Unsatisfactory.
Latrine Closets Still a Point of
Contention.

1Onlsnt at the city council meeting
the city plumbing inspector and ttfe
health committee will present two pro-
posed changes in the plumbing ordi-
nance as compromise with the board
of education on the latrine closet
wrangle.
One proposition is that the ordinance
be amended to permit the use of latrine
closets, such as the board of education
wants, but restricting their use to
closets built entirely outside of the
school buildings.
The other proposition is that latrines
be entirely barred but that if the board
insists upon ITS refusal to put in the in
dividual flushing system, it be allowed
to use a range closet, flushed from one
tank, but with separate connections.
The board of education will siren
uously oppose either Of these proposed
changes. the proposed compromise
was submitted to the boards attorney,
ably represent the board at the council
meeting this evening.
These proposed amendments have
been drawn up by City Plumbing In,
spector CLANCY, and will be submitted
by him to the health committee at
meeting to be held before the council
meeting tonight
1t is reported that the board of ed
courts to enjoin the enforcement of
the ordinance if either of the proposed
changes is made. The board will stand
fiat for its original demands 1t insists
upon the right to use the latrine system
of closets.
Mayor Bergundthal is responsible for
the first of the above mentioned com
promises. He says that the only sensi-
BILE way is to have the school closets
separate from the school building.
NINETY per cent. of the pupils of
the public schools says the mayor,
do not have closets in their homes,
and it is absurd and extravaganza for
the board to insist upon interior
closets. good sewer-connected closet
outside the building is better and
cheaper. 1t does away with all this
stakeholder nonsense, and a lot of
expensive plumbing. l don't take any
stock in this argument that the chill
dren must not be allowed to go out
side the building"
the '1atrine" system and the range"
system of closets is that the latrine
has an open trough, and the range
empties into a closed pipe.
A very energetic campaign in be-
half of the board of education has
been in progress the past week. All
of the school authorities of the city
have been putting in their time in
terviewing members of the city coun-
Gil, their intention being to reopen the
fight at this evenings meeting of the
council. The vote at the former
meeting of the council indicated
wavering in their opposition to the
desired by the board,
and it was only by a scratch that the
amendments were defeated.
There is no wild and overmaStering
desire on the part of the council to
get itself mixed up in this affair, but
the peculiar condition of things makes
it the arbitration tribunal between the
L.
authorities. The council has the law
making power, and each of the oppos-
ing bodies wants the council to exer-
else that power in a different way. 1t
is a thankless position for the coun-
cilmen. and most of them would well
come a compromise as a means of
escape.
DR.. Ryder. councilman from the
First ward. thinks that the city should
sustain it's plumbing inspector and
board of health chairman. He says
that the ordinance as it it stands was
carefully drawn, and is in operation in
hard fighter, and when he sets about
opposing anything it always means
trouble before the council can take
contrary course to his ideas.
Councilman Howe thinks a compro-
mise should be made but says he sees
little prospect of it. He said today:
II believe that the council wants to
do exact justice to all concerned. I
90 not lIldl IL Is our DIdCS 10
dominate the board of education.
That board is made UP of as able and
responsible men as is the city coun-
Gil. and -s-e responsibility for the
proper care of the city schools should
rest entirely on them L don't want
to mix up in their affairs. If they put
in the wrong kind of plumbing, the
blame should be on them. not on the
council. What 1 want is to have it
fixed so that both kinds of plumbing
can be used, and that will place the
responsibility on the board to decide
which is the best.
1t is very likely that many others
share Mr.. Howes opinion in regard to
the responsibility for the board of ed
ucation's acts. The board ought to be
held responsible for what 1T does.
The board claims, and this claim is
supported by a good deal of testimony.
that the plumbing system here in the
public schools is satisfactory and that
the kind of plumbing called for in the
city plumbing ordinance is much better
for the plumbers because it is constant
ly in need of repairs.