The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-04-28
Superintendent of City Schools
Asks Parents to Provide Sim
pier Frocks for Graduates.
EXTRAVAGANCE REAL EVIL
Students Who Have Little Money
Often Leave Because Others
Have Costly Dresses.

Pointing out in plain and earnest words
the pressing necessity for Il simpler style
of dress among school girls. City Super
intendent ID. II, Christensen and Mrs. C.
d. kipp yesterday afternoon addressed a
largely attended meeting OF parents d,
the Jefferson school Nearly 100 were
present. the great majority being moth
ers OF students of this particular school
In opening his remarks, Superintendent
Christensen made IT plain to the parents
that neither the school board. the teach =
erS. nor the superintendent assumed any
right or authority to dictate or prescribe
In any manner regarding the question
OF dress for students. but at the same
time declared that the urgent need was
the creation of sentiment among the
mothers and the students themselves that
would lead TO the adoption OF a simpler
style OF dress for the girl students.
Not Seeking Uniformity.
In discussing the matter OF the meeting
held during the afternoon and the views
which he there expressed Superintend :
ent Christensen said:
There is an erroneous idea held by
many that we are seeking to establish
uniformity In dress. This is not the case
and ] wish that all might gain the cor
rect Impression as to our endeavorS. We
merely desire to arouse among the moth
ers sentiment that will lead 10 the
adoption OF simpler style OF dress for
others who are leaders in this move
ment, that equally beautiful and artistic
effects can be obtained without violating
the rules OF simplicity. for beauty OF IL
self Is not complex, but simple. We rec
ognize that we must create a sentiment
TO this end as. OF course. we assume no
right or power to in any wise dictate
regarding the dress OF students.
Significant Illustrations.
IL urge this simplicity Of dress partic-
Nfl
for it is a. fact that has come under my
personal observation In the schools OF this
city. that children of the wealthy have
in some instances set so costly a stand =
OF equal ability and standing. whose par
ents were poor, could not secure gowns
which they felt would not be out of
place by contrast and so have left the
school before the end of the year and
ercises.
but can be corrected only by the crea-
ton of n different sentiment among the
mothers. sentiment that ,disregards dis
play and stands for beauty in its sim
Professor Christensen also plainly ex-
pressed the opinion that there were too
many low -neckcd dresses worn by school
girls in their teens. and said that aside
from the tendency toward immodcsty
which was indicated, 1t was an unwise
thing Tor girl or l6 or II TO attempt to
loiio" liS ldsnionS as Qlu tHG woman
who had reached the age of 70 or 80
years.
Mrs c. D. kipp, one of the leaders
among the mothers who are working for
the adoption OF this simpler style Of dress
for their daughters. made a strong plea
along The same lines as those outlined
by Professor Christensen, During the
next few weeks meetings Will be held
at other schools of the city and "a con-
slant effort Will be made to awaken q
public sentiment that Will lead 10 the end
desired.