The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-01-21
CHARGE Peril
TO HEALTH IN
CITY SCHOOLS
DepIorabIe Conditions at
'PortabIeS' Alleged by
Engineer Society.
ASSAILS BOARD AS LAX
Lighting and Heating Held
Deficient; Water Supply
Called Dangerous.

"A commlttee report charging the
State health board with failure Ito
perform its plain duty under the
law" in regard to use of portable
buildings in the Indianapolis public
school system was adopted by the
indianapolis Engineering Society
and made public today.
The report attributes the "de-
plorable conditions" to the con
troll over the school budget by the
Indiana Taxpayers League, ex-
ercised by means Of its influence
with the State tax board"
1t cites a letter of DR.. william F.
King, State health board secretary,
regarding a survey of portableS
made by his department upon
resolution of the society. The letter
was followed by an abstract of the
survey report, made by A. E. West,
Raymond Bright, and G. G. Porter,
State health board inspectors, the
committee report stated.
Conditions Of Long Standing
The King letter cited the fact
that conditions here were long
standing and asserted an adequate
building plan never could be
evolved when any governing body
divides into majority and minority
factions along political, social and
religious lines"
1t pointed out that the health
board rule of two-year limit on
portableS was not arbitrary, but
merely to bring them under sur
veillance Of the board.
The committees comment OIL the
letter was that it dealt with EEK
traneouS matters" 1t cited aaS con-
crete things to be dealt with the
following:
1.-THE school city is the owner Of
sixty-eight portable buildings con-
tanning 1876 rooms, of which fifty
five, containing 108 rooms, are in
present use. AS to construction,
they are flimsy frame structures,
upholstered, leaky, and far from
inprevious to cold winds and sum-
mer heat.
"As to lighting, the report shows
that fourteen of the 108 rooms are
deficient in glass area. AS to heat
ing, eighty-eight rooms are heated
by open stoves. AS to toilet facilities,
the pupils in twenty-Seven build
ings are provided only with toilets
in the yard, of which seven are
reported very insanitary.
Water Supply Bad
"As TO water supply. pupils in
twenty-seven buildings have to go
across the yard to the main build
ing; only two have water supply
in the same building: fifteen build
ings have hydrants in the yard;
twelve have well pumps, of which
six have dangerous water supply
on account Of seepage and surface
water
"As to seating, fifty-f1ve rooms are
reported as exceeding lawful ca
pacity in seats and twenty-three
exceeding lawful capacity in pupils.
"As to duration of occupancy, on
the same site, we find the following
periods of time reported: Two, one
year; six, two; thirteen, three; f1f-
teen. four; seven, five; two, seven;
four, ten, and six, fifteen.
Fourteen buildings were reported
in good condition; thirty fair and
eleven bad. Five were listed as
fire hazards because Of stoves"
Little Relief Promised
After commenting on these fig
ures, or rather pointing out that
they speak for themselves, the COM
mittee report continues:
"a small degree Of relief now is
promised through the action of the
school board in authorizing an is
sue of 100000 in bonds, bids FOR
which are to be received Jan. q.
What this money is to be used for,
a new building and several addi-
tions, is here cited.
ITO redistrict the city for school
building purposes and provide for
both displacement of portables and
annual growth in school population
will require expenditure Of about
$780, each year for term Of five
years, beginning next year, On the
basis of an assessed valuation of
about $685. 100000. this will require
an annual levy Of 1S cents on each
$780,"
Want Larger Levy
Another or 10 cents year
should be added for replacement Of
buildings thirty to sixty wears OLD,
the committee recommended. 1t
cited the school levies for the last
five years, averaging about 81, and
asserted that they should have been
$110 and the $1.45 requested by the
school board and turned down by
the tax board would not be needed
The school board was commend
ed for making the request to shock
the public into realization Of the
school housing plight.
Members of the committee are
William w. Eldrige, chairman; w.
s. Boyle and N. D. Drane. 1t was
! signed after adoption by Secretary
Daniel B. Luten.