People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1897 — Meanwhile the Building Might Fall. [ARTICLE]

Meanwhile the Building Might Fall.

Mayor Hooper has received a legal opinion from City Solicitor .Elliott as to the power of the city authorities to close a school building which is considered dangerous to the lives of occupants. Mr. Elliott states that it is the duty of the fire commissioners to examine the building to see whether its condition is in violation of the law and if it be so found to report to the inspector of buildings, who, with the approval of the vmayor, is authorized to make the repairs necessary. If, pending the making of the repairs, the mayor is of the opinion that the occupancy of the building is hazardous to the lives of the scholars it would seem to be his duty to request the board of school commissioners to make immediate provision for the housing of the scholars elsewhere and, in the absence of such provision, to close the school. —Baltimore American.