The Washington herald., 1909-06-24
CAPITALS SCHOOLS
SHOULD LEAD ALL
Representative Foster Fore
casts tie Future.
CLASS IS GRADUATED
Commencement Exercises OF Central,
Eastern, and Western High schools
Held in Convention Hall Last Night
Before Huge Audience - Speaker
Urges More Liberal Policy.

With a splendid tribute 70 the schools
OF Washington. which were described as
Uncle Sans educational show window
for the gaze OF all the world" triple COM
mencement exercises Of the Central. East
orn. and Western high schools were held
IN Convention Hall last night.
The oppressive heat Of the evening did
not prevent a mighty thrOng from as
sembling in the huge auditorium. and
never has a more brilliant commence
ment been held in the Capital. The pro-
gramme was carried forward with
promptness and dispatch
The three classes Of '09 held the posts
Of honor. Tier after tier rose behind the
platform. and upon these the graduates
We're placed. the girls In immaculate
white and the boys in conventional even
ing dress. Roses gave vivid color TO the
scene II was declared 10 be the largest
single collection Of diploma candidates
ever brought together in the city
schools should BE Best.
The speaker OF the evening was Repre-
sentative David J. Foster. OF Vermont
He struck the keynote OF the event by
stating that Washington should have the
best schools IN the country.
These are the only schools under the
direct supervision OF Uncle sam" he
said Washington is our National Capl-
taI. and SIS schools should be worthy OF
such a Capital That should be made the
guiding principle OF their progress.
THE Washington schools should have
the best system IN the world The city
should be a great educational center. All
teachers should come here 20 md q
model FOR their institutions. Such sala-
ries should be paid as 10 attract the best
teachers. The entire nation should feel
q personal interest "a all that pertains
20 the clty's schools.
"Our public school system IS the corner
stone OF our national life As such.
washington should be associated with the
best system OF public instruction. There
can be no question on this point Il Is
not a question upon which Congress
should betray any hesitation
Representative Foster declared. IN face
tious vein. that Uncle sam IS entirely
able 20 care for the situation Washing
ton win undoubtedly do her share. he
said. and the country can be relied upon
% do its part. Then the Representative
made a significant statement
when we get this corporation tax
system through Congress" he said. ~0ur
party VIII De bursting with money. Per
haps we viii have a little more for the
schools OF Washington Al should aid
in the EFFORT 20 make our schools object
lessons for the rest or the world
No Man independents.
I'VE are all sovereigns IN this nation.
Yet we are al interdependent. owing 10
the amazing complexities OF our economic
system. No man stands by himself
The education which these young men
and women received IS one 70 prepare
them 20 do their work not alone but IN
the highest f0rss % cooperation with
others. In return for this training which
they received at the expense OF the city
we ask an honest. patriotic. courageous
citizenship That Is the best payment
they can give US.
"As a motto for you graduates. sug-
gest this In essentials. unity: IN non
essentials. liberty; ~ all things. charity
Capt James F. oyster. president OF the
board Of education. did not miss the op-
portUn:ty 20 drive home the lesson that
Washington schools deserved greater
effective Introductory address.
"Only yesterday Representative Camp
bell IN a commencement address for the
students OF the Mckinley Manual Train
ing School. suggested that the girls be
taught how 90 make good coffee. Yet he
did not intimate that Congress might be
persuaded 20 supply the funds 70 furnish
this training. Representative Richmond
Pearson Hobson, al another commence
menc. declared we should have our class
rooms decorated with American flags
But he did not mention the fact that
Congress had made appropriations for the
purchase Of one flag 70 one school-no
more.
'Our schools to-day show an extraOrd-
mary advance over the conditions OF
twenty years ago. But there IS still much
TO do. To q certain extent the Western
schools have outstripped those OF the sea-
board in prOgresSiveuess. We are fol-
lowing their model IN the manual training
work"
Capt oyster dealt with the present
status Of the board Of education, and re-
lated some OF the work II had accom-
plished All OF It's members served FOR
honor" he said, and for the pride N the
local schools.
Diplomas Awarded.
The award Of diplomas was made by
Ashley II. Gould, associate justice or the
District Of Columbia Supreme Court. For
nearly an hour there was a steady march
OF young men and women to the front OF
the platform. Then the deluge OF flowers
came from fond and doting parents. A
brigade OF juniors. in their military uni
forms. distributed the huge bouquets.
The invocation was given by Rev. John
Reid Shannon. pastor Of the Metropolitan
Memorial NJ Z, Church. Music was fur
nished by the Marine Band.
The executive committee Of the class OF
0S, Central High School, is composed OF
the following;
President, W. Calvert Clancy; vice pres
loent' Frances G.. Adams; secretary,
Olivia a Taylor; treasurer. owen ".
Kennedy; L DumOnt BeerbOwer. NJ.
Augusta Clarke. William s Gatcheu,
Ella A Hanft. George L. Harvey, Cor
don c. Hinckiey, Irene 7. Meyers, Eva
+. Pollock. w. Parker Richardson, Hazen
p Rollins, V. Vernah Spiker, Marion A.
Taylor MarigoId Whitford. and Marga-
retta 4. Williamson.
OF the Eastern High School: President,
Frank l. Weaver; vice president, Eliza
beth p. Defandorf; secretary, Emma G..
Reed; treasurer. Albert F. Fessenden:
Harry c. Chase, Albert B. Havenner,
Mabelle G. Peck. and Margaret p. VIII
SON.
OF the Western High School: Presi-
dent, Martin T. Fisher; vice president,