Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-02
Council Bluffs
ROTHERT CASE BEFORE BODY
Deaf Mutes in Convention Nay Act
on His Retention.
BOARD MEMBERS WILL COME
Likelihood Retention of Local Head
of school viii Depend on whether
He Secures Endorsement
ut Session.

Interest in matters relating to the wei
fare Of deaf mutes, not only in Iowa, but
all over the country. will center at Council
Bluffs this week. occasioned by the elev-
enth triennial convention OF the Iowa Asso-
citation for the Advancement Of the Deaf.
which will begin tomorrow and end Thurs
day. An extensive program has been pre-
pared for each day and the event will be
OF more. than state wide interest Dele
gates. principally deaf mutes who have
passed through the institution. and many
instructors who have devoted their lives
TO the work OF education OF the deaf. will
be present. The program, which has just
been Issued, provides that all sessions will
be held at the Iowa School for the Deaf
here.
The officers Of the association are w.
A. Nelson Of Davenport, president; Mrs.
], w Barrett. Council Bluffs, first vice
president; George Crosby, Cedar Falls,
second vice president; w. N. Wright, Des
Moines. secretary; F.. c. Holloway, Council
Bluffs. treasurer.
The program provides for a welcoming
speech tomorrow afternoon by Mayor Ma
loney. an address by one Of the members OF
the state board OF control, probably the
new member, Dr. Bannister OF ottumwa,
with responses by Superintendent H. w.
Rothert and p. c. Holloway. In the even
ing Superintendent and Mrs. Rothert will
tender a reception to the delegates, as
sisted by the local committee Similar
pleasant social features will be interspersed
throughout the program.
superintendent Rothert's Case.
One of the questions that will agitate the
convention arises In connection with the
slated retirement OF Superintendent Roth
ert. The association in recent years has
time after time without a break passed
resolutions eommondatory of DR.. Roberts
administration. The question now is
whether this will be done this time. 1t
~ the understanding of the delegates now
on the ground, some Of whom have re-
gently conferred with the state board Of
control, that the board, though DESTROYS
of securing a new superintendent for the
school, hesitates to take the step pending
an expression OF sentiment by the associ-
alton at this meeting. The board members
expect that when the association shall
have expressed itself, the truth will appear
as to whether Dr. Rothert has really lost
the support and confidence Of the deaf of
the state. as has been made to seem to be
the case by the persistent complaints that
have reached the board. The deaf do not
understand that they are to have con-
trolling voice In the matter. regardless OF
other considerations, but that the board
being already disposed to drop Mr. Rothert
for other reasons said to be sufficient, the
position the association takes this time
may turn the scale one way or the other.
May Meet Alone.
Tho situation is complicated somewhat by
the circpns lance that the convention meets
at the institution under Mr.. Rotherts eye
and personal direction. In sense. the dele
gates are guests Of the institution and Of its
superintendent; although they say they
pay their board and keep while here. Being
the guests OF the institution, they say,
gives them q feeling OF restraint, ana there
is talk that some Of the sessions may be
adjourned to the city In order that the de-
uberations may proceed without even q Bus-
sYIsion OF duress. When the convention was
fixed for Council Bluffs three years age
nothing was said TO just wnere the Sos
sions should be held. Arrangements to hold
the Convention at the institution we're made
with the Board OF Control through Mr.
Rothert only recently,
The deaf who are opposed to the superin'
tendent say this was very clever stroke
A counter move, in case the convention
does not adjourn to the city and even II Il
does. may be to have two members Of the
Board OF Control here. Member Wade Of
Des Molnes was hero Friday and looked
the ground over, and 1t was said the hin
was then given that DIR. BanniSter woulC
be requested to attend the convention
With two members OF the board present
II il calculated 1t would give the delegates
q sense OF greater responsibility in express
Aing their true sentiments. Not, they say
that the board members would take any 40
tive part. but that their presense would g
far to establish fair play and minimize tn
influence the strong viii of DR.. Rother
might have upon the convention.
1t is supposed that II the convention goe
on record against DIR. Rothert the chang
In superlntendency will come Immediately
while IL he gets an endorsement he vii
have a new footing In the contest with tn
board and those who are seeking to depos
him,