The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-02-28
WANTS ASSISTANCE OF BOARD
Unsanitary Condition at the
Lincoln Building Is
Remedied.
Drinking Fountains Arc Purchased for
All school Buildings - Marion
Schools Are Not without Their
Death Traps, Health OFFICER Bain
States.

| cases of Diphtheria ana Otner minor
diseases of the public schools Health
Officer Addison Balm appeared before
the board of education at an adj
journed meeting held In the high
school building Tuesday night In
letter to the body he told of the
sanitary condition of schools and ask
ed their cooperation in the fight.
The health officers assertion that
| "AIarin's schools are not without
their death traps" startled the MEM
bers of the board, who. on inquiry
found that Mr. Balm referred to what
he called underground playrooms.'
"In these rooms the windows, for
some reason are screened with bars
like iron and there is but one small
exit I'm the stone wall which is two
feet thick" Mr.. Balm stated. How
would these children get out of the
building I'm the event Of a storm,
cyclone, fire or gas explosion?
They would be caught like rats in
a trap"
1t was learned that seven basement
| playrooms have but one small exit
and that the heavy iron screens have
been placed at the windows to pro-
tect the window glass. The condition
of the playrooms will be investigated.
New Drinking Fountains.
"I recommend that drinking foun-
tains be installed in all school build
ings and that the school board dis
pense with the death-dealing drinking
cups," was another suggestion offered
by Mr. Balm i'm his letter. 'The drink
| ing fountains are needed badly in the
lOncy. David ana silver street schools,
as these buildings are located I'm in
fectious districts"
| Immediate action was taken I'm the
matter of providing fountains to re-
,'place the old-fashioncd drinking cups,
Following motion by Member Rob-
| ert Pennell, the board authorized the
building and ground committee to
| purchase fountains for all buildings
which are not already supplied.
This board is being censured for
the sanitary condition in the schools
but no criticism should rest on the
present board" Mr.. Balm stated. The
parents are to blame in the great ma
iority of the cases. They allow their
children to attend school when they
are sick with some contagious
disease Oftimes the parents ask that
their children pass and disregard the
physical condition OF their children
or other children"
Children Suffering.
Mr.. Balm told of a condition in the
Olney street building which should be
remedied. He stated that he visited
that building not long ago and found
27 children attending school I'm a room
in the basement OF the building. The
light in the room came through small
dirty, frosted window glass. 81 asked
the pupils how many were suffering
from eye-strain and headache and II
raised their hands" the health officer
stated. However this condition will
be remedied as soon as the new school
buildings are ready for occupancy
Another suggestion Of the health
officer was that the board endeavor
to influence the city in providing side
walks crossings and proper drainage
I'm the vicinity Of the Mckinley build
ing on UncaDher avenue.
The health department of the city
has requested all parents to inquire
of their children before they start
to school In the morning whether or
not they are sick and IL they are to
! report to the health officer. "From
this order we have received many
calls" Mr.. Balm stated.
Girl Needs Glasses.
The pitlable case of a twelve-yeal
old girl who is suffering for glasses
because of weak eyes was called t.
the attention of the board by tho
, health officer. lie stated THAT hei
parents were too poor TO haye th'
girls eyes tested and asked that thu
board purchase glasses for the child
, Her teacher had Informed Mr. Bali
that she Is bright and studious bu
that advancement in her school worl
was impossible because of the con
dition OF her eyes.
Z The board did not think II adVisabl
. to establish a precedent by buyinl
i, glasses for the unfortunate girl, bu
, offered 10 see that glasses We're pro
vided for her. II belong to a sOciet
that looks after cases OF that kin
and will report this one to IT," Cler
Jeanette l.. Hutchinson stated.
think we can do something for Oh
u girl"
Since the last meeting Of the boarC
the unsanhary ventilation system a
i the Lincoln school building has bee
remedled by changing the source Q
air supply
- The building and ground committe
:, was instructed to purchase shade tree
- for the school grounds at THE Mo
Kinley and Garfield buildings and tn
supply committee was authorized
purchase fire eXtlnguishers, as re
- quired by law, and other necessar
y supplies for the new buildings.
n Member Hutchinson, chairman {
the janitor committee. under oatl
stated that she had not received a
! application for the position of janito
u at the new school buildings for tn
past two weeks. To date, the chalI
man has received Ss applications fc
3 the two positions.
l. commencement COnmlttee.
lt president G. L. Sauer appointe
d MEMBERS Anna B. Whiting and II. J
e Hill to act with him az commenes
ment committee.