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Pottsville Republican of March 8, 1912

SCHOOL BOARD NEWS

The School Board met on Monday night with the full membership present. Mr. Stauffer reported that Mr.
Geshwindt stated to him that he had no time to make the apology demanded of him and that he wishes to
have ten days more time given him. The extension was granted. Chairman Webber of the Committee of
Buildings and Grounds reported the death of Janitor Amos R. Hoffman. Mrs. Hoffman was then elected to
fill the vacancy during the unexpired term. This committee also reported the need of coal in the ward
buildings.
In the case of the Reifsnyder children, the mother presented a physician's letter recommending them to be
excused from school. The board directed the secretary to notify the Poor Directors of need in the case of
the family.

Pottsville Republican of March 12,1912

TOWN COUNCIL NEWS
Fifty six property owners residing on Dock Street in Schuylkill Haven presented a petition to the borough
council of that town on Monday evening at a special session, opposing the paving of the street on which
they reside. The petition was presented by J. R. Jones and C. E. Berger representing a number of the
residents. The petition set forth that the paving at this time would be a burden on the owners of property,
that a sewer was of more importance and that when the time came for putting in the sewer, it would mean
the tearing up of the street again. The petition also stated that brick was not a suitable material to be used
and that the act under which the ordinance for the paving of Dock Street had been drawn up had been
repealed by previous acts. The motion to accept the petition passed. The ordinance for the paving of this
street was drawn up under the act of 1911 and provided for the grading and paving, the collection of the
costs, two thirds which was to be paid by the property owners along said street and the other third by
council. This act was approved May 12, 1911. After the above facts had been made known to the members
of council, Solicitor Noecker then read the act and stated that the above act and the Act of Assembly under
which Main and Saint John Streets had been paved were entirely different. Under the latter act, in case the
property owners did not petition council to pave, council could go ahead and take the initiative.
The solicitor stated that in looking up the act for the ordinance, in which it was proposed to pave Dock
Street, he had overlooked the repealer, which was passed just one month and one day after the act of 1911
was passed. Therefore, the act of 1889 is the only one in force under which the ordinance could be drawn
or under the act of 1851, which would mean that council could go ahead with the paving, but that the cost of
the same would have to be paid out of the borough treasury. The solicitor stated that he had not seen any
decisions on the matter. Mr. Jones took occasion to remark that out of a total number of people owning
property 2800 feet front on Dock Street, only the owners only the owners of 1300 feet front had refused to
sign the petition. If council takes the ordinance as it now stands and goes ahead with the paving, the
property owners could go into court and then have the act decided in a legal way. Chairman Saul of the
Electric Light Committee stated that the paving of Dock Street was a vital question and that it was badly
needed. It is one of the hardest streets of the borough to keep in repair and he thought there was no
reason to drop the question at this time but to inquire deeper and see if there was not some other authority
that would permit council to go ahead and pave. A motion to lay the matter over until the first meeting in
April was passed.
`Chairman Moore of the Road Committee had in his possession a petition signed by nearly 160 owners of
teams who are compelled to use that street, praying council to pave at its earliest convenience. This
petition was not read. Of the total of fifty six names on the petition against the paving, there were four or
five persons signed from under the same roof, while in other cases lawyers signed for estates, which the
members of council claim can not legally be done. It was stated if a true account of the signers was
presented, it would be found that those opposing the paving would be in the minority. Rooney and
McKeone stated that they believed that the people living along that street were not opposed to the paving
but that they wanted the borough to pay the entire expense. Members of council stated that probably
before the next meeting of the body, several petitions will be presented by other property owners praying
for the paving of the street. Among those streets the property owners will petition council to pave are the
continuation of Saint John Street, Saint Peter Street, the upper section of Main Street and the entire length
of Columbia Street.

MUST WATCH PLACES OF AMUSEMENT
Chief Burgess Hartman, in speaking to the members of council and the President of the Board of Health,
stated that there is an ordinance on the books stating that every April and May all garbage in and about the
premises must be collected and that every cellar in the entire town must be whitewashed and that it was the
duty of the Health Board to see that this was done. It was also the duty of the Health Board to look after the
overcrowded conditions of the picture shows and skating rink. The Burgess stated that not long ago there
was between seven and eight hundred paid admissions to the skating rink and only one little narrow
stairway for the people to come in and out. He stated that it was next to impossible for he and the
Constable to keep people from getting hurt when all wanted to come out at the same time. The Burgess
stated there is an ordinance stating that whatever was dangerous to life or health should be looked after by
the Health Board. This would constitute a nuisance and the parties maintaining the same could easily be
compelled to pay a fine. The Burgess then referred to the crowded condition of the moving picture show
and stated at times the aisles were so crowded that it was impossible for women and children to either get
in or out. He acknowledged there was a state law against the blocking of the aisles but because the state
was careless in enforcing those laws, was no reason for council to ignore them.
Another matter that the Burgess called to the attention of Council and the Health Board was that no
decaying vegetable matter can be kept longer than twenty four hours and that it is the duty of the Health
Board to inspect all meats and fish and things offered for sale. He stated that one could go into the stores
in Schuylkill Haven and see prunes mixed with pickles and other things being offered for sale that were not
protected from dust and germs. The Health Board has the authority to prosecute cases of this nature. They
are also compelled by borough law in the printing of cards with the names of all communicable diseases.
These are to be placed in the public school rooms and read at least once a month by the teachers. He then
stated that no milk, watered or adulterated or changed in any way can be offered for sale and that anyone
doing this can be prosecuted.

Pottsville Republican of March 14, 1912

THE K. K. K. HELD SPECIAL SESSION IN MANY UNIQUE WAYS

The KKK Social Club held a delightful dance and social at Dilham Gilham's bungalow in Fairmount last
evening. The large parlor was beautifully decorated with black and white, the club's colors. When the
guests arrived, the parlor was in darkness except for the light given from the fireplace. The evening was
spent in dancing, the music being furnished by Seltzer's orchestra. At 11:30 the banquet took place,
Douglas Kaufman being the caterer and everyone did ample justice to the repast, which consisted of six
courses. After the banquet there were speeches by a few members. Edward Davies, the president, spoke
about Dan Cupid and welcomed guests. Samuel Deibert took for his subject, the "K's". Herman Schwenk
spoke on life.

Pottsville Republican of March 16, 1912

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FALLS BEFORE SUPERIOR POWER OF TRENTON

The Schuylkill Haven basketball team lost Friday evening to the Trenton team of the Eastern League by a
score of 46-28. While the score was rather lopsided the game was rather interesting from start to finish and
the six to seven hundred rooters went home well pleased. In the first half of the game, Haven had equally
as many chances to score as did Trenton but luck was against them and the ball instead of going into the
basket would roll around and drop away. There appeared to be a lack of teamwork at play on the part of
Schuylkill Haven and continuously throughout the game the visitors were unprotected with the result that
they would pass the ball from one player to the other and then standing directly under the basket throw the
ball in. When it is taken into consideration that the Trenton players make their living by playing ball and that
they have been coached and trained for it and play two to three times as many games as Schuylkill Haven,
the latter team can feel proud of the game they put up Friday night. In a minute or two after the game
started, Trenton scored the first goal. This was the beginning of the course for the evening. It was without
doubt one of the cleanest games that has been played on the Schuylkill Haven floor this season,only three
fouls being called in the entire game.

Pottsville Republican of March 18, 1912

WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION HELD SOCIAL

The W. C. T. U. held a social Friday evening at the home of Miss Bowman. After the business was
transacted, a short program was rendered. Mrs. George Moll of Pottsville, the county president, gave a
short but impressive address and then also rendered an instrumental solo. Misses Christina Raudenbush
and Tillie Fisher had recitations suitable for the evening. Miss Ruth Lautenbacher rendered two beautiful
piano solos. Refreshments were served after which the members departed for their homes. The evening
was thoroughly enjoyed by all. There were at least 36 members present.

Pottsville Republican of March 21, 1912

SCHOOL NOTES

The school teachers held an adjourned meeting Monday after school to consider book changes. It had
been expected that a change in advanced spellers would be asked for but after considering the matter on
all sides the teachers agreed not to ask for a change. Charles Geschwindt who had some weeks ago
entered two of the North Ward schools and conducted himself in a disorderly manner made an apology to
the teachers on Monday morning for his conduct as directed by the School Board. He was accompanied by
the principal.