Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-08-17


school, as a supervisor. and other
promotions to fill vacancies caused
| by his appointment. 1t was finally
approved, however.
Department Reports
Reports of various departments OF
the district were submitted also. Dur
| ing the year 102 teachers were men
toned for excellence In results,
100 per cent increase over the pre-
ceding year, war work included post
ers for Red Cross, Liberty Loans.
War Saving Stamps. food conserva-
| ton; also service flags and flags of
the Allies,
In music organization of grade
school orchestras. musical memory
contests in the Technical High and
Cameron schools; and community
singing are specially mentioned.
Grade school supervisors reported
that the large amount of war work
done in the schools had no effect on
the other work. all of which was
completed. They also reported 400
pupils had advanced half year by
the mid-year promotions.
An alarming decrease in Central
High School, due largely to over
crowding is reported by Dr. III. g.
Dibble. The class of 1918 at entrance
included 326 members; upon gradua-
tion, 176; class of 1919, 316 upon en-
trance, and 1877 now in the class;
war activities include purchases by
students and teachers of First Lib
erty Loan Bonds, $12.550; Second
Loan, $12,250; War Savings Stamps,
$4,000; Red Cross memberships, 557;
Y. NJ. c. A. and Y. w. C. A. contribu-
tions, S345: 500 Liberty Bond pre-
sented to Harrisburg Public Library.
two banquets omitted; funds of
athletic association totalling $1,000
invested in bonds; ana the school sup
ported a French war orphan.
At Technical High School the en-
ployment bureau was a big success;
war activities: sale of Liberty Bonds.
$4,000; War Savings and Thrift
Stamps, $2,5S3,33; enlistments of
students, public demonstrations, 500
books for camp Libraries; rs tent
floors constructed, Red Cross ship
ping boxes made; 35 boys enrolled
in Boys Working Reserve; others
assisted in draft board work; 3S did
mail work aand railroad work dur
ing year; Ii Joined local Reserve
Militia.
Weak Children Gain Weight
Open air school statistics show in
creascs in the weight of pupils with
no pupils losing in weight and the
attendance averaging from 80 to 30
per cent. despite the heavy SHOWS
during the winter and the difficulty to
reaching the buildings. Teachers
Training School activities We're or
ganization of a senior Red Cross aux
Hilary; assisting in forming Junior
branches.
In the medical inspection depart
ment outbreaks of diphtheria in
schools were prevented by removal
of carrier cases; and epidcmics of
smallpox averted by vaccination of
all pupils in Downey, Penn. Wicker
sham and Boas buildings. An addi-
tional physician is recommended for
this department.
During the board meeting Director
A. Carson Stamm stated that he would
like to have the minutes show that
If he had been able to be present at
the last meeting of the board, at
which Mr.. Jacobs was retired, he
would have voted against such re-
tirement for the reasons given by
him at the meeting of the Retirement
Board at which Mr.. Jacobs applica-
tion for retirement was considered,
which were that a construction of
the provisions of the retirement plan
should not be forced and new con-
struction made in favor of teacher
who was not wholly incapa citated,
and had served the board a compara-
lively short time, so as to provide
an annuity on basis that was un-
scientific.
He also said, that the fund could
not bear. and that it would probably
in his judgment result in wrecking
and bankrupting the fund, to the in
jury and loss of retired teachers who
had served the district for many
years and who were absolutely de-
pendent upon the annuities for liv-
ing.
Continuing, Mr.. Stamm said, a suf-
ficient reason for concluding that the
construction which has been placed
upon the retirement plan in this in
stance would result in the impair
ment of the fund is that it would
cntitle Mr.. Jacobs, who is about 54
years of age and in good health (and
able to earn a livlihood at some other
occupation) and who has served this
district twelve years and has con-
trbuted to the fund during only
ten years to the sum of eight hun
dred dollars per year as long as he
lives, tthat being the largest annuity
that can be paid to any teacher),
whereas under the state plan, which
has been prepared with scientific and
actuarial accuracy and thoroughness,
he would be entitled to less than
five hundred dollars for his entire
service as teacher here and else
where of thirty-siX years upon the
basis of contributions by or for him
to such fund for the full thirty-six
years.
Director Stamm concluded by say
ing his only objection to the construc-
tion of the plan and the retirement
of Mr.. Jacobs is in the interest of
the preservation of the funds of the
Retirement Board for the use of
its beneticiaries who are dependent
upon It, and most of whom have, or
will have, served the district for very
many years.
Moro Hou.oIsIos:~