Evening journal., 1915-11-23

City Solicitor Hastings stepped in
several days ago not only as legal ad-
wiser of the city departments, but also
as a mediator TO try to adjust the diff
ferences over the condition of the
schools. lie was opposed to the sudden
shutting down OF fourteen schools that
would turn nearly 5000 children out
into the street, and believed middle
ground could BE- found whereby City
Council. the Board of Health aud the
Board of Education could reach an ami
cable understanding aud gradually bet
ter sanitary conditions that were bannea
by the Health Board. Under the order
of the Board OF Health, which it is eN-
pected will be notified this afternoon.
fourteen schools were to he closed to-
morrow and remain closed until inn
provcments were made IN toilet facilities
that would receiva$he health boards
approval
Mayor Price was OF the same opin-
ION as City Solicitor Hastings in the
matter. The mayor and Mr.. Hastings
have had several formal confer
ences with officials Of the various de.
partments, looking to some settlement
OF the controversy. Mr.. Hastings spent
the morning in conference with Mr.
Baynard. Mr.. Ellison, Mr. Scott and
Mr.. Hopes This afternoon at 1.30
O'Clock Mr.. Hastings conferred with
Chairman Oscar c. Draper, tof the
finance committee of Council about
Council providing funds to make sani.
tary improvements that may be deem
ed urgent in the schools and also pos
sibly to appropriate additional money
for janitor service in some of the
schools, in order that more efficient
janitor service may be obtained.
Mr.. Hastings, Mr.. Baynard, Mr.. FL
lison. Mr.. Scott and Mr. Hopes al
noon visited several schools, observed
the sanitary conditions and talked
over improvements that might be nee
essary. They went in an automobile
from school to scho l. The entire
subject will be gone over at the meet
ing OF the mayors advisory board
this afternoon, when a harmonious
adjustment is expected to be made
that will clear up the controversy.
Ask Extension Of Time.
An extension OF time for the order
closing fourteen schools on Wednes-
day to go into effect, was asked by
Mayor Price at the weekly meeting
Of the Board of Health yesterday af
ternoon. He pointed out that the mat
ter possibly might not be settled al
the meeting OF the Advisory Board a.
today's session, but that he expected
TO reach a definite course within the
near future. II was on these grounds
that the extension was asked, so thai
schools might remain open until the
mayor and his advisors were satisfied
! that no other course remained open t
the city officials.
Il was clearly shown by the mayor
that he did not favor the edict OF tn,
health board in closing the schools HI
said the action OF the board at It's las
meeting had caused a storm of protes
Q to assail every public official in all tn,
departments in any way connecte,
with the present school board muddlo
The board agreed with him in thi
4 statement, but added that the
we're not at fault and had no
caused the muddle. and that the pro
tests should be directed toward tn
school board. who were solely respon
sible for the condition OF the SCHOOLS
He continued: 1t is our purpose iC
get out of this muddle and get the mai
ter adjusted. 1t is not question O
what has been done in the past o
what has not been done. but the ques
lion Is 10 get out Of it so that tn
children of these fourteen schools wi
not have to suffer
s.. 81 have asked City Solicitor Hast
lngs to be present at the meeting q
the Mayors Advisory Board today, an
Il is likely that he will spring a SUI
prise. | have had him az work goin
over the law in the case. and he wi
probably show us how to get out G
he present situation"
Secretary Ellison said he had bee
talking TO Mr.. Hastings about the sui
iect. Mr.. Ellison read the law 10 n
Y Mayor showing him the ground take
CONTINUED or rage III