New-York tribune., 1907-04-05
SPELLERS In DISPUTE.
Chicagoan Stirs Meeting scith Sec
tion0lism Charge.

There was a ripple the calm sea of academic
discussion among the simple spoilers IN meeuhe d.
the Waldorf-Astoria yesterday afternoon IL looAeu
as If it might result in serious dissenson In the
ranks of the word clippers. A voice from Chicago
stirred the gathering. It was raised in note OF
protest against other sections Of the country Oe-
sides New York. particularly Chicago being over
looked in the selection OF the executive committee
OF the Simple Spelling Board. F. o. Vaile' OF the
Western city, made the assertion that the board
was treating the whole matter OF spelling reform
from Eastern. if not a local. point OF view
This brought forth denials Of sectionalsm in the
choice OF the committee from a number of its mem
bers and It looked If the reading of several OF
the papers would have 10 be postponed to another
session. But the discussion was sidetracked' at
least until this morning, by William F. Mclean
OF Toronto.
Mr. Mclean is the editor of THE Toronto
World" There was a smile his face and
chucde in his voice when he arose and quieted the
discussion among the warning Americans de old
Il with the simple suggestion that Mr. Vale and
those who think with him that reformed spelling
will only be possible when sort of key alpha
bet for uniform use is devised could work for the
attainment OF their object without interfering with
the work Of the board itself.
The key alphabet in which each sound Of the
English language would have fixed symbol. is.
according 10 Mr.. Vaile the solution OF what he re-
CARDS the chief and final problem in the proper
reform OF English orthography. 1t during the
course of appeal FOR the adoption Of some such
alphabet which would find a place in all the
dictionaries and spelling books that Mr.. Vale. un-
meaningly. he said. let slip his dissatisfaction
with the local composition OF the executive COM
mittee and the alleged sectional view II was taking
Of the whole movement.
When Mr.. Vaile had finished his remarks Henry
Holt the publisher, got up and denied that there
bad been any wish TO shut out sections other tnan
50 did DR.. Funk, Professor Calvin Thomas, OF co,
lumbia. and Professor George Hempl. OF Leland
Stanford Junior University. the latter warmly ap-
proving Mr.: Carnegie's suggestion that the best
work could be accomplished if the members OF the
committee were chosen with view to their being
able 10 meet regularly. Mr.. Vale said afterward
that he had no Intention or desire OF renectlng on
the personnel of the committee.
He heart and soul with the movement and
OF the committee The views OF all sections OF the
country. however should be considered in this cru
Mr. Vale. who was formerly the proprietor OF
two educational publications in Chicago, also had
something 10 say on the three thousand WORDS Sc
lected by the American Pathological Society. Those
Henry Holt had recommended should be taken up
Despite Mr.. Vaile's objection. the committee will
take the matter under consideration today ~,
Before the morning session began Dr. J. *. FUNK
denied that the election To the presidency OF the
board OF Professor LOunsbury, Of Yale, was IN
DR.. Funk declared that the committee. OF which
he himself is member. had recommended such
In the course OF the meeting Professor James
w Bright OF Johns Hopkins University SPOKE s, on
Professor Curtis Hidden Page. Of Columbia, read
paper by ute on The Siinpnca.io]m ] M ryss
spelling. paper as 10 German spenhs was
read by DR. Rudolf Tombss also Of Columbia
Dr. Scott the SECRETARY OF the 3oaIG ana made
report in which he stated that 1900 persons have
hundred yTords He recommended that steps be
taken 10 bring about the creation OF Brluish
TIE first annual meeting Of the board VIII end
this morning with executive session. az whicn
the question OF the practiea5ity oI apP9g5 gt,r 1
changes in orthography will be considered.