Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-12-11
RICHARDSON PARK
SCHOOL REOPENED
AGAINST PROTESTS
Continued from page I.

was. and recommended to Mr. White
head. that DIR. Herbert L. Watson.
State bacteriologist. be asked to make
an analysis OF the air. DIR. Strikol
when he visited the school this morn
ing. was slightly effected by the gas.
Within a few minutes after entering
the building, his lungs became filled
with the fumes. and he experienced
some difficulty in breathing, accom-
panied by buzzing sensation in the
head. Mr.. Whitehead Immediately
got into communication with Dr.. Wat
son, and arrangements were made for
test.
DIR. Strikoi also found A number Of
children in the fourth grade suffer
ing from the gas poisoning. The gas
fumes this morning began TO MI the
whole school. and pupils in the sew
enth grade. on the second floor. were
beginning 10 complain OF difficulty in
breathing. Aubrey Ewing. pupil in
this grade, complained OF pains in
| the chest.
The condition constantly grew
worse. and later in the morning. a
number Of the children were sent 20
their homes. Harry Neu;z, Nenida
/ Toy, Clara Campbell and William
Idtchfeld. OF the fifth grade. were ex-
cused. together with Aubrey Ewing
OF the seventh grade. A number OF
pupils OF the eighth grade presented
written excuses from their parents.
land then returned TO their homes.
NJ. c. Whitehead. principal OF the
school. hesitated 10 close the schoo,
/ in view OF the fact that such action
would be contrary to the ruling OF
school trustees. lie WIS outspoken
however. In his belief that tho school
should be closed Immediately and KEEP,
closed until numerous sanitary de-
fects are reanedied. He declared Il
was shear folly 10 allow the children
10 remain in the school. and in this No
was Joined by DR.. Strikol. who as
serted he would not allow a child O,
his TO study in the school under pres
ent conditions.
. To Analyze Air.
DR.. Strikol declined 90 state jus
what the nature OF the poisoning ga
\ test.
Shortly before IL O'Clock. the fume
became-so strong in the room occupies
by the fifth grade. that the children
were sent 20 their homes. Other chill
, dren We're suffering from the effect
OF the gas, but IL was decided con
ditions were not sufficiently bad Z
warrant the dismissal OF the classes.
An examination Of the heating plan
was made this morning by Di
Strikol, accompanied by repre-
sentative Of Every Evening. JON
Southworth. the school janitor. de
scribed the layout OF the heaters an
the piping arrangement in detail on
particular feature OF the piping ar
rangement may explain the source c
the poison gas.
Built Before Revolution.
One portion OF the school. bui
prior 10 the Revolutionary War. wa
erected without a cellar Pipes froI
the heater running under this roor
: lay directly on the ground. and III
floor OF the building is directly on 20
OF them. Some months ago, drinl
Ing fountain I'm one Of the room
o started 10 leak. and II is possible thi
o the water dripped through the flo,
a anu AaltN Ni4t pipes dlloNlhe Nti' X
10 accumulate under the floor ar
y enter the school rooms.
This room, however. is occupied I
y the children OF the third grade. wi
. are the least effected by the gas. Ho
ie the fumes can enter the other room
u and not effect this room is one que
ton that remains unanswered. N
p SOuthwOrth, who has had consideraL
experience with heater building. is
$ the opinion that the fault does n
q lie with the heaters He stated
~ repairs have been made 10 the heat
3. for the past two weeks
Another cause OF the fumes W
y given by the school trustees In refu
lie ing 20 close the school They conte
Ia that there IL nothing wrong with I
school building. blaming the prev