Evening journal., 1916-02-12
WATER As CAUSE
OF TYPHOID At
ferris School
Continued from First Page.

We have made an exhaustive and
complete examination Of your water
supply, milk supply. food supply. your
buildings and grounds, and the farms
adjacent to your water supply.
Ii is our opinion that the cause Of
the present outbreak Of typhoid fever
in your institution is directly trace
able to your water supply. The spring
from which you secure some OF your
drinking water is all right. The run
or stream from which you pump some
Of your drinking water is unfit for
drinking or household purposes. The
tank into which you pump water is
absolutely unfit for use for drinking
or household purposes, and should
be Immediately thoroughly cleaned.
School Managers Reply.
The reply Of the Ferris School man
ayers is as follows:
Wilmington. Del, Feb. II. 1916.
A. e. Frantz. NJ. D., Secretary and EX-
ecutive officer Of the State Board OF
Health of Delaware.
! Gentlemen: We have your favor OF
January Goth. and in reply would say
/ that the managers Of the Ferris In
dustrial School have been aware for
some time that a radical improve
ment Of the water supply OF the in
stitution was desirable. The water
from the spring is absolutely pure,
as YOU say. and this is the water
which is supplied to the boys for
drinking. The only reason an i'm
proved general supply has not been
installed is because there are no
f.T.1 e. h1 nf
Improvement. 1t is a fact that the
institution is not operated in several
respects as the managers know would
I be the best way 10 handle reform
institution OF this nature. Further
more. the members have put their
hands in their own pockets. in addi-
tion to their personal attention. and
have provided funds for some urgent
needs, but they are unable to con-
tribute enough to run the school as II
ought TO be handled.
The managers think it is unreason-
able to expect them to do so. as the
State is really responsible for the care
of its delinquents. and only boys duly
committed by State. County and City
Courts are received Only because the
managers believe that it would be a
misfortune to the community for the
school to be given up. have they been
willing to continue in its management
with the great handicaps which ex-
list. Either to turn these delinquents
boys in the streets or to send them
to the workhouse would be a great
misfortune. With the exception of
an improved water supply. vocational
training and some minor matters. the
equipment is excellent, but the in
come is insufficient to do what such a
! school ought to accomplish. The
managers think that il the community
does not back them up in their sim
, cere desire TO provide the best pos
sible training and surroundings. then
the community itself should under
stand where the responsibility lies.
The sums received from a small en-
dowment, contributed by the Levy
Court and by individuals. provide
barely the running expenses under
, the most economical management and
, allows nothing for plant improve.
| ments or for training. which is equal.
| ly urgent.
. If the public authorities and the
people who desire to better the com.
, munity in which they live will pro
. vide enough funds TO run this schoo
- in the only right way. II can be KEEP
2 in operation and do excellent work
/ otherwise il may be best to give VI
! our efforts in this direction and dis
! continue the school.
, We wish to thank you for your in
terest and suggestions. and il an,
way can be found to comply Will
them we will advise you furtehr
Meanwhile. as this is a semi-public in
stitution. we would like to publish
I your letter and this reply. May W,
! have your permission to do so?
q Very respectfully,
BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THI
FERRIS INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL