Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1921-05-20
Mrs. Collins Letter

Continued from page ohe'
that those outside trimmings were not
intended for such profane use.
Not long since the writer witnessed
the indoor fire. drill as regularly prac-
tised bv the grades on the second hoor
of the graded school building our
attention was called to the emptylhg
of the building in an, incredibly Snor.
space of time. But be 1t observed
that this drill was conducted under
entirely favorable circumstances
There was no asphyxiation from smoke
and consequent fainting and 'conges-
ton on the stairway. There were no
flames roaring, nor was there NOISE Oh
crashing timbers and falling walls.
Let us suppose that the alarm
sounds after fire is well uunder way
that the pupils attempt to descend the
inside stairway, that they are confront
ed bv all adverse conditions OF bind
ing. sitting smoke, of flames and con,
fusion. of falling bodies heaping up and
impeding the progress OF those IN the
rear. Will our indoor fire-dril, however
correct in form save the lives OF our
children in a genuine crisis'
Let us who have loved ones to be
sacrificed in needless holocaust an
swer this question in decided mega
tive. The wide and lofty halls are
natural fiue for a fire which might
easilv gain tremendous headway be-
fore its discovery. Doubters will as
sure us that a furnace fire properly
tended is practically never the cause
of fire This easy assurance can now
ever, easily be disproved OF by an in
/ cident which occurred only last year
in the very building under consldera'
ton A teacher returning to the
building early in the evening in search
of book, upon entering the hall
found strong odor of smoke. Pro
ceeding to the furnace room she found
a blazing stick which had fallen from
the hre-box. Quite concevably had
not this been discovered our school
house would have been ashes by morn
ing. But such an accident might oc-
cur bv dav as well as by night, owing
to the fact that one man has the care
of two buildings and is unable to
spend all his time in either place.
The situation is viewed with alarm
and regarded as, a menace by many
people in this community, particularly
bv those having children who may be-
come victims of gross negligence on
the part of those who should be their
protectors
Moreover a subtle point in regard to
obedience TO the spirit as well as to the
letter of the law is here involved, In
asmuch as it is written upon the sta
tute books OF the State OF Vermont
that school buildings shall be provid-
ed with fire-esCapeS, and as obviously
such fire. escapes were not designed
for ornament, but rather for use, are
not we evading the law here in Mid
dlebury?
The writer maintains that we are
evadng the law, and that at pos
sble overwhelming sacrifice to our
selves. We further maintain that such
an evasion is a poor object lesson for
the youth of this village who are in
the process Of training for upright
citizenship
Opprobrious epithets are applied to
those who deal in spirituous liquors IN
violation of law; but how much more
dastardlv the evasion OF law which
seeks to safeguard the lives OF chill
dren!
Let us not attempt to fix blame up
on anv one person or group OF persons.
Public servants will enact the will OF
the people so long as they desire
tenure of office, Let us rather at
tribute this unhappy situation to gen
eral apathy in the management Of
public affairs which like a sleeping
sickness has laid hold upon us We
have found it easier to "let George dc
it" than to 20 to the polls and by the
ballot correct public abuses. Behind
the ballot is the will of the people. II
people desire reform they will Sc
cure it. A stream cannot rise higher
than its source, nor can a community
lift itself above its ideals. Has Middle
bury ideals in the matter OF it
schools?
For the benefit of the burdened tax
payer it may be said that use OF the
, fire-escapes does not entail added out
Law and expenditure The law re
quires their upkeep and maintenance
and we shall conform thus far. Shall
we use the fire-escapes in Middle
bury?
Signed Ruth Colby Collins