The Washington times., 1911-04-15

more proper than hobble skirts for
public school teachers.
Affirmative, Mrs. Mary c. Terrell;
negative, Mrs. Elizabeth Hoeke.
Dame Fashion, the tickle, reveled In
the calcium during a debate at the
Board Of Education meeting yesterday
afternoon. While the men and women
members of that august body were dill
gently endeavoring to determine how
they could modify her dictatfon, with
reference to graduating costumes, the
spotlight was switched on from diff
ferent angles by Mrs. Terrell and Mrs.
Hoeke
Instead of discussing whether the
girl graduate should be attired in white
silk or white lawn, these connoisseurs
Of feminine wearing apparel chose to
of the graduates.
II think the teachers should not wear
hobble skirts" ventured Mrs. Hoeke by
way Of opening the debate.
Much better that they should wear
harem SKIRTS" said Mrs. Terrell. ''They
are much more graceful and dignified."
''Oh, 1 don't think So" disagreed Mrs.
Hoeke.
But the men members of the board
knew what a debate on dress-even an
extemporaneous debate-meant, SO they
declined to act as judges, and called
for a vote on the original question. 1t
resulted in an approval of the plan,
suggested by the principals, to educate
the students toward more modified
gowns.
Hidden way down in the report,
though, was a recommendation which
means that not all the sacrifices are to
be made by the girls. His majesty, the
boy graduate, must step from his lofty
pedestal, because the report taboos
the open faced suit Simple street
dress shall be worn by the boys" 1t
says.
Secretary Harry Hine had quite a
tussle with the words, "bah-teest,"
"Crape-de-shane," and the like. while
he was reading the report, but after
ward he was the recipient of many
fattering encomiums from the ladies.
the official o. K. of .Supt. A. T. Stuart
in a report he submitted with them,
were that dresses be simple in design,
preferably washable white lawns or
batiste; that no decollete gowns, trains,
silk or satin be worn; that simple de-
signs, suitable for graduation, be posted
in each school, together with estimates
Of prices OF dress and shoes" The
recommendation was made that no fiow-
ers be worn, and that the hiring Of
taxicabs and carriages be discontinued.
The committee on simplified dress
pointed out that masy Of the evening
dresses had been purchased or given the
June graduates before the movement
for a modification started. therefore as
good results cannot be expected this
year as later.
1T was further recommended "that
the subject of simple and appropriate
school dress be taken up in the sixth
grade and continued through the high
school; that February graduates be ad-
vised in the previous October, and June
graduates not later than February, as
to how to economize in the manner of
commencement and class-night gowns"
All of the recommendations were unani-
mously approved.
Considerable anfmosity was expressed
by r. p. Horner because the board re-
fused to use the word "reprimand'' In
the action of one principal in
a detrimental article to remain
posted on a bulletin board for three
days. The article was enc to which
Mr.. Horner took exceptions. He said
that in the future he would not rely on
the board to get vindication because
Il had encouraged characterization by its
action. There will not be much Of a
fight, either,' he said.
Throughout the course of the meeting
MIR Horner continued to make antas-
onistic remarks until Capt. James F.
Oyster, as president of the board,
brought his gavel down with rap and
said: Are YOU going to keep quiet? l
think IT'S about time"
While enraged over the afternoons
Mr.. Horner said: ''I want
10 say as a colored member of this
board, that the conditions of the colored
schools in the District Is absolutely rot |
.en. The marks of normal school gradu- |
ates are changed by the Assistant Su-