Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-06
Council Bluffs
DEAF ASH FOR NEW MAN
Iowa Association Fails to Endorse
superintendent H. w. Rothert
PETITION SENT STATE BOARD
Declaration In Il that Good of school
Here Requires Change of Head
Few Fail 20 sign
Document.


The Iowa Association for the Advance
n,ent OF the Deaf held the final session
of the eleventh triennial convention yes
toIcay afternoon. and as was predicted
failed to endorse the administration OF
Superintendent II. w. Rothert This was
the big issue Of the convention, and it
occupied the attention of the delegates
from the beginning
At all previous conventions, for more
THIN twenty years, the endorsement OF Mr..
Rothert has never failed. This time, in
stead of the endorsement there was circu-
lated among the delegates a petition to
the State Board OF Control asking that
Mr.. Roberts tenure of office be terml-
mated and a new superintendent appointed.
OF the $50 members of the association at
tending the convention 125 signed this petit
ton.
Nearly all of the others would have
done so had we asked them" said e. l.,
Ward of Ricevlle, a leader among the
deaf and chairman OF the resolutions com
mittee at this convention. I'VE met with
only between ten and fifteen refusals. Mr..
Rothert begged for an endorsement We
would like to give it to him personally,
but we feel that the good of the institution
and the advancement of the interests OF
the deaf requires q change in the head
Of the school,"
The committee on resolutions permitted
this resolution to be presented and APP
proved:
Resolved, That we thank Mr.. II. w.
Rothert for his work as treasurer of the
benefit fund.-
Set Forth Grievances.
This was all that was accorded. In the
petition to the board the grievances of the
association are set forth as follows:
Whereas: The time has come when the
deaf citizens Of the state Of Iowa feel they
should resist the suppression heretofore
practlced express their sentiments in re-
gard to the SUPPLEMENTARY OF the state
school for the deaf as their right ana
privilege as graduates or former pupils OF
the school ana as taxpayers in the state OF
Iowa.
Whereas: Superintendent II. w. Robert
has shown incompeteney In the MANAGE
ment of the school and lacks the confidence
of advanced pupils while in school ana the
graduates thereof, and shown tendency
to resist the Introduction or newer and
better methods in the school, and
Whereas: he is deficient in knowledge
of the sign language so that he cannot eX-
press himself freely when talking to the
pupils and does not understand them When
they talk to him, and he has to recourse
to writing which lessons the effort OF his
discipline, and
Whereas He has reached an age when
he no longer possesses the vitality neces-
sary to carry on the vigorous management
of the school, and lacks the respect OF
pupils under him and shows an arbitrary
manner In governing both teachers anc
Whereas: We believe that the best inter
ests of the school and state require ms
disbursement and the appointment OF
Younger and more able man, therefore, be
il Resolved, BY the undersigned members OF
the Iowa Association for the Advancement
of the Deaf, graduates, FORMER pupns; a thC
hoard of control to ask for the Resignation
of Mr.. Henry w. Rothert and appoint
someone else.
has been understood to be awaiting the
action of this convention to dispose Of
the question of Mr.. Rotherts retirement II
is now supposed that he VIII be dropped
and a new superintendent appointed and
installed at the beginning OF the new four
year term in September. Mr.. Ward stated
last evening that the method Of petition
| ing the board privately was adopted II
preference to repudiating Mr.. Rothert by
open resolution of the convention solely
out OF a feeling of personal sympathy fol
him and desire to make his humiliation
as little as possible under the circum
stances.
I'VE would have let 1t CO." he added
'sby merely failing to indorse him hat
we not been afraid 1t would have lef
room for misunderstanding and misinter
probation Of the true sentiment Of the as
! ISOLATION"
The association chose Its new officer
yesterday afternoon, re-electing W. A
Nelson OF Davenport as president. TIL
other officers are:
First Vice President-Matt McCook
| RiceVille.
Second Vice President-Fred Ward, Rice
| Vile.
Treasurer-F. c. Holloway, Council
Bluffs.
Trustee Benefit Fund.-. Schuyler Long
Council Bluffs.
The convention concluded last evening
with a most pleasant semi-socal function
when the delegates Joined those of tn
Nebraska state association and held
Joint picnic at Manawa. A most delightful
afternoon and evening was spent at tn
lake. Nearly all of the delegates RENAME
here last night and will today leave 70
Colorado Springs to attend the meetin
Of the National Association of the Deal
The next meeting Of the state associatio
will be held In 1919