Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-12-23
Attendance at
School Meeting
Was Very Light

With the defeat of a proposed plan
TO install kindergarten department
in the East school, the fayoring Of
three new heating plants and the erec-
ton of fire escapes, it was decided
that an S,6 mill levy shall be assessed
on all real and personal property in
school district No. "a, at the annual
meeting held in the high school build
ing last night.
There was comparatively meager
attendance at the meeting last night
Notwithstanding the welfare Of the
schools in the entire district was the
main topic Of discussion, There was
an attempt TO expedite matters con-
siGerably when the yearly budget was
introduced before the attendance. j.
Jones made a motion to the effect
that the assembly adopt the report as
whole but receiving no second, u.
j.. Riggs offered a motion that the
budget be taken up by sections and
considered, This motion was heartily
endorsed
The financial section Of the budget
received first consideration. In order
TO cover a deficit Of 100000, It was
voted to levy a 5,5 mill tax This will
practically cover the outstanding in
lebtedness on the new school build
ings. A 2;5 mill tax was voted to
cover the floating indebtedness and
0.G mill was agreed upon for the con-
struction and installation Of heating
plant in the Park, Lincoln and Grant
school buildings.
Dissension arose when the matter
of installing FIRE escapes on the school
buildings was broached, Judge W. r.
Slater took the floor and declared that
the escape in use ON the Office build
ings and other structures in the bust
ness district Of Salem were unsuitable
for school buildings. lie stated that
a grown man or woman could easily
climb down q modern Office building
escape, but in order for the little
children to use them to any advantage. |
they must be either aided or carried |
by older people Judge Slater moved |
that a suitable and more convenient
fire escape besought by the board and !
erected on trial, and II found to be
suitable, contract for the same on all
the buildings
This motion was lost, however, and
p. j. Goodenough was brought to his
feet at the prospect Of there being
move on hand 10 limit the expenditure
Of money for the protection of the
children. Mr. GOodenough declared
that he was in favor Of placing fire
escape on every window in every
school building IL necessary to protect
the children regardless Of cost. He
recommended that the board be grant
ed unlimited power in securing safe
guards for the pupils and that he did
not believe In experimenting when hui !
nan lives were at stake,
b. C. Miles said he was not aware
that the board is technically required
to install fire escapes az the school
buildings in Salem could not be class
ed as two-slory buildings technically
lie also stated that It was not n mat s
ter of technlcality and that If any I
lives were in danger, these projections
should be thrown around the pupils at +
any cost
1t was finally voted to give the s
board power to proceed with the in
Of fire escapes, Two es-
capcs on every building viii cost in
the ncighborhood Of $4,000
hut four women attended the am 3
nual meeting last night and only 80 J.
men turned out to take part in a u
which affects all the schools I
In the city.
Although many were in favor Of
kindergarten depart
ment they did not believe that this
new system should be attempted at
present and desired that the PROPOSE
Lion be tded over for at least another
year