The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-22
CONDITION OF SCHOOLS
 TO COME BEFORE VOTERS
Conduct of School Committee and Other Matters Beside School Sites
 To Be Considered.
STAMFORD
(special to The Farmer. )

Stratford, Aug. 22.--The schools of the town will reopen on Sept. 8 and
 people interested are wondering what is going to be done with the large in- crease in the number of scholars. No repairs have been made at the Wash ington school and the children will be obliged to submit to the unhealthy conditions which have always existed there. After every rainy period the cellar fills with water to the depth of sometimes foot. Supt. Kelsey is on
 record as declaring that the building should he torn down. Of courses this opinion may be influenced by the feeling which exists in the school committee which brands the school house as a spite building" because the construction was taken from the hands of the committee. The chii- dren at, this school are not allowed rooms but are sent into this wet base 1 nent. If, as the president of the board declares, the cellar of new
 building could be made tight then the cellar of the present building may be repaired. A mason in the town as- serts that he can make the cellar Of the Washington school water tight at reasonable expense. Would it not
 be well to allow the children who
 come long distances and are obliged to bring their lunches to eat them in the school rooms in stormy weather and not compel them to sit around in the damp and unwholesome cellar during the noon recess? The welfare of the scholars should come first in all the deliberations and acts of the
 board. It is now believed that other things take precedence to the exclu- sion of the primary objects for which the committee is supposed to exist
 fHa& nh nIa F0Yp through desire for revenge by any individuals would seem to be an axiom and further discussion would seem to be unnecessary. After all the discussions and in defiance of the orders Of the fire marshal the fur naces of the schools have not yet been covered with fire proof material and the scholars sit day after day exposed to a risk, near or remote, of being roasted alive. This may not be so but the fire marshal says so and that should be enough. An appro- priation has been made for this work but no one seems to know what has become of it. The suggestion came from the outside and the school com
 nittee seems to resent the interfer- ence and to gratify it's resentment subjects scholars to an unnecessary risk. It would seem. that there was ample material sfor the consideration of the voters at the next town meet ing besides the selection of a site for new school house on the Huntington road. It Is the duty of every voter in the town to attend every town meeting and not allow the desires and demands of the whole town to be de- feated by a policy of delay and pro- crastination which the powers that remove all opposition to their plans as 1t has many times in the past Every child in this town is entitled to the same opportunities in obtain ing an education at the public schools and the same degree of safety, and better facilities for any section of class should receive so severe a. handling at the hands of the voters as will effectually prevent its ever ap- bearing on the surface of town af- fairs again. We quote from the re- port of the superintendent of schools for the year ending 1911: The floor tinbers over the furnaces should also be covered with some fire proof ma terial." The president of the school committee asserts that he doesn't be- lieye such a covering is necessary but if he has any money left after mak- ing the other repairs the covering will be placed in the Center school. In the meantime if the school house should catch fire and innocent chil- dren burned or killed ih the panic would 1t not be safe to characterize the event as cold blooded murder the result of petty spite, and would there on the guilty? When the town is considering the erection of new building will it be safe to rest the responsibility of the construction in the hands of those who show so little regard for the safety and welfare of &1AA AEM< A 4Im A come up at the next town meeting and probably will receive a severe handling.
 Preparations for the grand bazaar at the Taxpayers Improvement club this evening have been completed and the promises of the ladies of the auxiliary will be more than fulfilled. lawn and in the club house for the sale of fancy articles, cake, ice cream and other delectabIes. Dancing will take place in the club house and there will also be program. of in- teresting numbers. The ground will lanterns and the whole place will be made attractive with appropriate de- corations. Provisions are being made to entertain a large crowd.
 The fifth anniversary of Star of Stratford lodge, Shepherds of Bethle- F lows hall this evening An extensive and interesting program has been prepared and refreshments will be served. A large number of guests from other lodges will be entertained and the whole affair is planned ag a fitting recognition of the very suc- cessful though short life of the or gani9ation.
 The funeral of Mrs. Marietta Me- Gahay which. was held yesterday morning from St. James church was one of the. largest in the recent his- tory df the town. Practically the whole community attended and paid tribute to the estimable character and model example of the deceased. Rev. M. J. O'Connor, rector of St. James sang the high mass of requiem. An enlarged choir was heard in funeral music of a high order The pail bearers were John Mcdonald, John Nolan, William Mcdonald, Michael Nolan, Thomas McGrath, Charles Graham. A wealth of floral pieces came from friends and neishbors. many being sent from Bridgeport. In- torment was made at St. MichaeTs cemetery.
 George E. Chavelle, died at his home on North Main street, last night. aged 62 years. Deceased was born fpe N6wy Vnplr sfo Ia h..+