The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-03-21
ISLAND SCHOOL WAS UNSAN|TARY
AND IN DEPLORAbLE CONDITION
|9 RFP0RT OF DR. WILLIAMS To
CITY SCHOOL. BOARD LAST NIGHT
HAD TO USE ELASHL1GHT n
ORDER TO SEE TIE LAVORA-
TORIES, WHICH ARE IN BAD
REPAR AND DIRTY.
BUILDINGS NOT RECEIVING PROP
CARE AND ATTENTION TO
KEEP THEM Nv SANITARY
CONDITION.
ENTIRE MATTER REFERRED TO
THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
COMMITTEE; PRINCIPAL
REFUSED FLOOR.

In a communication to the city school
board received by that body last night
Dr. II. B. williams. city health commits
sioner charged that tho Island school
was found to be in very unSanitary
condition on recent visit, made by the
health officer. accompanied by Dr..
Charles H. Keesor. president OF the Ohio
County Medical Society. Dr.. Williams
said ne received two complaints and as
a result visited and inspected tho SCHOOL:
He urged a regular inspection. cleaning
and disinfection of all schools, in order
to remedy the conditions nc found.
After q lengthy debate tho board re-
fcrred the matter to the buildings and
grounds committee, including the Madl-
son district school commissioners. Prof.
T. E Ewing. principal of the Island
school. was present but was denied per-
mission to address the board, after
motion had been carried giving him the
floor. President Paul o. Reymann ruled
that Mr. Ewing's remarks would be out
Of order and that the proper procedure
in order to obtain results was to refer
the entire matter to n committee. be-
fore whom Mr.. Ewing might appear.
DR.. Williams told the hoard in his let
ter that he inspected both old and new
buildings. That laboratories in the
old building were in anything but
satisfactory condition. in bad repair.
dusty and dirty. That they were en-
closed in dark booths ana that in order
to inspect he had to use flash light.
In the new building the health, officer
said he detected strong doors Of u very
unhealthful nature coming from the
laboratories, which has not been proper
Itf-fN IA
material from which they were made
could not be- distinguished. This was
true particularly OF the boys side of
the basement. while in the girls quar-
ters the doctor said that conditions were
not satisfactory.
"Ruildings ar not receiving proper
care and attention to keep them clearly.
Windows were dirty and tho buildings
in general showed n lack of proper care
DR. Williams recommended abandon
ment of old lavoratorieS. installation or
lights in toilet rooms 10 light up All
dark recesses" and urged daily In
spections, thorough and frequent cleans
Ing and lisinfectinC Of all buildings.
The health officer said that he found
Principal I. E. Ewing doing all that he
could. do with the poor help given him
hi the board OF education and that no
can not under any circumstances he
criticised. DR.. Williams concluded his
letter by saying that the Madison school
janitor service is very poor and again
urged that someone be employed to
make frequent inspections to maintain
the high standard of sanitation .neceS-
sary to protect the hearth OF the school
children.
At this point DR.. ". c. Etzlcr. an
Island commissioner. asked that Prof. I.
E Ewing be heard. Prof. Ewing was
called to the board room. when the
board voted unanimously to hear him;
then ne was not permitted to utter a
word .iMany Of the commissioner said
| the charges were serious and demanded
! full and thorough Investigations, with
immediate action. a cleaning up OF the
buildings. making Of needed repairs and
! changes and a report to the board.
Charges Of this nature have been pub
licly aired for the past two weeks Some
time ago Dr. Williams Informed the
press That he had made an inspection, at
the, request Of citizens" and that out
of courtesy to the school board he would
| not disclose his findings. until tho board
met.
Another criticism Of the Island school
brought before the board was g. petition
signed by fifty-two residents Of the
! Island. who protested against smoke
! from low chirneys OF the new building
They charged that the chimneys arc
lower than the old building and that the
smoke ruins clothes m back yards on
wash day and pollutes the air Of the
entire Garden Spot
Commissioner Kahn moved that the
Island school be moved to the Eighth
ward. saying I'VE are used to smoke
down there" Commissioned Rogers de-
manded that It be moved to the first
ward Both were ruled out Of order.