The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-24
TALKED OVER
SCHOOL FOR THE
FEEblE-M|MOEO

Educators, state and city officials,
physicians and representatives OF various
eemi-public organizations, met I'm the
rooms OF the state board OF education
yesterday afternoon at the invitation OF
the special committee OF the board on the
proposed School for the Feeble Minded
and talked over problems in connection
with the institution. The committee
wanted advice on the best way OF spend
ing the $4,000 appropriated by the general
assembly as starter therefor.
There was general sentiment that the
school should he located on a fairly ex-
tensive tract OF land well away from any
city and from other Institutions.
Among those at the conference were
Gov. Higgins, who presided; Senator
Thomas McKenna. ex-senator Horace f.
Horton, ex-Speaker Arthur w. Dennis
and Representative Samuel l.. Peck OF
the special legislation committee on the
feeble-mnded; George r. Baker John f..
Kendrick and ex-Lieut. Gov Aram j.
Pothier of the special committee of the
board OF education, State Commissioner
OF Education Walter r. Ranger City Su-
perintendent OF Schools Walter H. Small,
Truant officer Gilbert +. Whttemore, Dr.
Henry A. Jones, Miss Ellen lie Garde DIR.
Winthrop A. Risk. James Minnick, City
Overseer OF the Poor Matthew j. Cum
mings, Or. William +. Barry of Woon-
SOCKET, DT. w. +. GiedSon, DT. NrbTdner
T. Swarts, Probation Officers William j.
Wallace and Margaret Denehy. Miss Har-
rlet Arnold. Miss Sarah Barnes. Miss Bes-
sic NJ. Schofeld Mrs. Edward T. Cheney,
Theophilus Topham OF Newport
Dr. Eugene Kingman expressed the
opinion that the school should be as far
as possible removed from Howard. the
Jail and the other state institutions.
Miss lie Garde said that. for the best
tntereats ~ fha inmatas the school should
be located upon an elevated site, far re-
moved from the influence of city life.
Senator McKenna spoke OF the develop
ment OF the school project before the com
mittee on feeble-minded of the general as
sembly.
Mr.. Whlttemore thought that Waverly
and Or. Barr's school in Pennsylvania
were two institutions that Rhode Island
could we'll take as models. He thought the
committee. before taking any decisive
steps, ought TO make visits OF inspection
10 these and perhaps other institutions.
Mr.. Whittemore was rather doubtful as
TO the possibility OF getting properly
started with SIS 900. AT least $4,000 would
be required 10 purchase the necessary
land. he said, "and then I hope you'll
have enough left TO put a few first-class
attendants into the building you may
have on the land"
DR.. Jones urged the Importance OF
classification of the prospective inmates
and said that the erection OF an admin
istration building at least would be neces-
sary. He also emphasized the Importance
OF having applicants for admission exam
ined by competent physicians.
Senator Horton suggested that when the
school came to the general assembly
again for more money its position would
be stronger IL IL could be pointed out that
II was taking care OF the patients for
whose support in foreign institutions
Rhode Island was now paying and was
thus saving the state that expense.
DR.. Risk said that the state would
make a great mistake II II tried TO use
"any old farm house is may find on the
land" He believed the board should buy
the land and start by providing a power
plant and other necessary equipments.
Mr.. Minnick urged that care would be
taken to have conditions so that the de-
velopment OF the children wouldn't be
hindered by improper provision for their
supervision and care.
Superintendent Small remar rked that the
first thing the institution must have was
a head. and he was OF the opinion that
the best thing the board could do was to
hire a competent superintendent for the
school and follow his advice as to the
plans to be adopted
Mr.. Cummings deprecated the idea of
beginning with extensive buildings AMI
other extravagances. He wanted enough
done so that the board would have some
thing to show the next legislature. but he
believed IL should be very careful at first,
especially in selecting a site.
DR.. Barry did not envy the board its
problem of making a beginning on 25.ooO.
he said. He thought If 1t secured a site it
would do well for the first year.