The daily sentinel., 1908-04-30

There was no misunderstanding
she purpose of the men and women
who gathered at the office of Wheel
er C Weiser in the Grand Valley Ma
sional Bank building last night at
the invitation of President George
r. Warner of the school board of
district No. to show cause why they
believe that the order abrogating the
kindergarten department of the pub
uc schools should be rescinded by the
board.
1t was unfortunate that some 9TH
er place had not been selected by
President Warner to hear the pro-
tests, as the ladies and gentlemen
who gathered in considerable num-
Der to make forceful protest could
nardly be accommodated in the
Hnall rooms. They were eager to
make presentation of their side of
she cause.
James w. Bucklin. representing
ahe Womans Club, was the first
speaker of the evening, and most
ably presented the desires of the peo-
pie in behalf of the kindergarten.
He spoke at some length and made
= very great impression upon both
1ides. Mr. Bucklin was followed by
Mrs. Leroy C. Hedges for the same
slab, and then followed Rev Becker
for the Reviewers Club; and in the
discussion Mrs. Edwin Price, Mrs.
Wilson, Miss Leila Wells. Mrs. Wal
face, Mrs. Newton and others par
xieipated.
Besides those who were present to
make personal protest and speak
were Mayor wentworth and num-
Der of other citizens.
The board also was presented with
a petition from the Ladies' Auxiliary
Of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers and several other organi-
nations.
DIR. Bull made the statement for
xhe board, and his chief support was
Miss Helen Dewey, whom 1t seems,
from developments. has been very
distinctive opponent of the continu-
snce of the kindergarten department
. IN the schools.
Director Wheeler also entered
largely into the discussion and was
put to considerable confusion upon
the cost of the maintenance of the
kindergarten when he was confront
ed with actual figures. which he later
Bas compelled to acknowledge were
correct and totally different from the
amount stated by him.
For those who would show the f.
nzncfal condition of the board Mr.,
W. S. Wallace appeared. He showed
that it was not from any lack of mon
ey that the board had concluded to
abandon the work of the kindergar-
seu- Last year the actual cost of
shc kindergarten for two teachers
Has $125 per month. The contin-
gent expenses We're only SO. al
though Mr.. Wheeler made a state
ment that it was for n much larger
sum than that; but Miss Wells, one
nj the kindergarten teachers, was
present and conclusively proved that
Il was not more than $40, and the
amount that had been stated by Mr..
Wheeler was for an Indebtedness Gre
sted for the primary department.
The levy for taxes for 1907 re-
zarned to the school board the sum
sf $4,000. For the present year 1t
will be SAL 700. Out of the lesser
sum of approximately SS9,999 the
school board last year spent $2,40O
for sidewalks around the high school
grounds With the increase in sal
aries this year, which will amount to
approximately $1,000, and the pay
nlent of the same sum of money for
ehe support of the kindergarten
there would still be surplus of S2,-
500. This statement of the finances
vi the district most conclusively
stated by Mr.. Wallace shows that
from the need of money, the school