Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1921-06-17
WOMEN WILL FIGHT
FOR BETTER SCHOOL

-
"If we have to fight for needed i'm
provements' in our schools then let us
begin now" was the spirit OF the mass
meeting held Wednesday afternoon un-
der the auspices of the Woman's Club
for the open discussion of ventilation,
sanitation and cleanliness in the village
school buildings Fifty women, mostly
mothers, were present. Resolutions
were unanimously passed that the
School Board be asked to appoint a
principal in the grade school, that the
Woman's Club defray the expense of
an inspection by a certified sanitary
engineer Of the ventilation and santa
ton in the same building and that the
use of the fire escapes be demanded
Mrs. E. c. Ryder president of the
Woman's Club acted as chairman of
the meeting She said in her opening
remarks that women should not ig-
more their voting privilege, and that
although they might not rejoice at the
gift OF the ballot for the sake of office
it was necessary that they use it to
bring about what is right. While the
ladies articles regarding the school
situation recently published in The
Register have been criticized by some,
she said that in looking for flaws they
had missed the good points. Several
high school pupils had come to her
with suggestions for other articles she
added
AS the first speaker Mrs. E. D. Col
IS 81 -,
of the fire escapes in the school build
ings, the first of the now famous series
of letters said that the crystalization
of public affairs in Middlebury render
ed it difficult to make changes. There
is even an unwillingness to be fair and
open minded, she said, mark of either
obstinaCy or ignorance of true con-
dtions. Ii a casual visitor can see
faults. surely they whose business it is
to detect these, should recognize them.
She said that She was sure that all the
taxpayers present would be willing to
shoulder their individual burden in
bringing about Improvements.
The first question considered, upon
motion of Mrs. Collins, was the ap-
pointing of a principal in the grade
school. 1t was argued that Superin-
tendent A. w. Eddy's time is too much
taken up with the many varied duties
OF his Office to permit him to act in
the capacity OF principal in that school.
That one OF the several veteran teach
ers of the grades should be given the
responsibility, and commensurate re-
compense, of the head of the school
was the unanimous sentiment of the
meeting, confirmed by vote after dis
Cussion. In answer to question Mrs
Collins said that a principal had been
asked OF the Board before but without
other result than a promise unfulilled
Regarding the sanitary conditions OF
the grade school, Mrs. Collins said that
the report of Dr. c. F. Edmunds of
Bristol, district health officer, was no
more than a physicians report, and
though he has no special knowledge OF
sanitary engineering. he suggested that
the conditions be improved on the
strength OF the evidence of his nose
As the doctor cannot be expected to
advise eXpertly on the details OF the
necessary improved ventilation and
sanitation, she suggested that the
Woman's Club defray the expenses OF
an inspection by a certified sanitary
engineer of the building A little out
lay might suffice, il well expended, she
said, and an experts aid would prove
worthwhile Mrs. John Stewart said
that the smell in the school house hall
was forty years old and over. 1t was
there when she was a child, she said
and was supported in her statement
by Mrs. Solomon B. Aines
When the remark was made that the
criticism of the Board had antagonized
its members and hurt the cause, Mrs
Stewart said she did not think that a
group of representative men ought tC
permit themselves to be antagonized
by mothers who want only to make
things better for their children and in
the right way
After further discussion it was unan.
3 imously voted to ask Doctor Edmund;
to make thorough investigation with
, a certified sanitary engineer of the
sanitary conditions of the grade schoo
at the expense of the Womans Club
committee be appointed to confer with
the School Board relative to the use
OF the fire escapes on the grade school
the present method of emptying the
building was severely criticised The
pell NELL rush for the exits here was
contrasted unfavorably with the order
ly and otherwise martial fire drill in
other schools where the speakers had
themselves been teachers If fire es-
capes are not put there for use, why
are they there them If smoke should
, prevent the use of the doors into the
main hall how would the children gel
out? How can children be expected tC
use the fire escapes in real emergency
il they are not drilled? How could chill
dren, pertifed by fear in case of fire
Y be expected to avoid panic, if not bet
! ter drilled2 These were some OF the
{ questions asked by the different WON
= Continued on page FOUR