The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1912-01-12


because it is matter for the parents
to decide. 1t believes that if dancing
is right that it is the manifest duty
of those parents believing in dancing
throw the responsibility on the school
authorities, no matter how willing the
school board may be to assume such
duty. If they want their children to
dance, we'll and good, but let them see
to it that it is done under their own
guidance. Let them hire hall, secure
chaperones and pay for the same, and
not ask the taxpayers to provide teach
ers, policemen and lights and heat for
the few at the expense of every tax
payer Let them assume the RESPONSE
bility as parents for the children of
their own household and not interfere
with the efforts of their neighbors to
bring up their children according to
their own ideas.
Another question enters into the
matter regarding moral welfare of the
boys and girls of the city. When the
matter was brought to the attention of
the Times the use of the gymnasium
was asked for on the grounds that
moral conditions of the public dance
were extremely bad for the children
Statements were made that the girls of
the best families were going to public
dances unaccompanied by the parents
would do away with this danger When
closely pressed as to who the brands
were who would be plucked from the
burning, it developed that it would be
only high school pupils. AS everyone
familiar with conditions in the city
knows, such distinction would not
serve as a reform for the boys and
girls of the taxpayers of the independ-
ent school district. At present there
are boys out of school who are going
with high school pupils, and girls who
have graduated who are still affiliated
with the high school crowd. To these
the bars would be put up, shutting
them out of the association which they
now have. 1t offers nothing for those
boys and girls but the public dance
and does not solve the problem. On
the other hand, to merely throw open
the high school gymnasium to a small
and select crowd is in the nature of
distinction which would not settle well
with the taxpayers whose children,
equally dear to them, would be ex-
cluded from the greatly moral uplift
promised by the high school dances
1t would develop obnoxious snobbery
on the part of a little bunch of chill
dren who We're fortunate enough to at
tend the dances and effectually shut
out even high school pupils from par
ticipating in the social events of the
school by reason of parental objection
to dancing. For once the dances are
started every high school affair will
be given to any privileged class.
If the high school gymnasium is to
be thrown open to dances it should be
for the benefit of every child of the
taxpayer in the school district. This,
however, is impossible, according to
the plan of those advocating dancing
and for that reason also, the use of any
part of the school building should not
be given to any privileged calss.
The whole situation shortens to the
fact that if children are to be allowed
to dance it is up to the parents to
safeguard the dancing and not shift
responsibility to the school district or
to any civic organization. If the girl
under sixteen or seventeen has to go
to dances it is the duty of the parent
to go with her and see that the pro-
prieties are fully observed. The plac-
ing of one or several patronesses in
the ball room doesn't guaranty to the
mother what can occur in the interval
of leaving home and returning. 1t
does nothing more than act as stimu-
lus to many to show their independ-
ence of patroness and do things which
they would not do if placed on their
honor. The Times does not believe
that allowing dancing in the high
school building will curtail attend
ance at other public dances, but only
add one more night of relaxation from
study for those who are fascinated by
the lure of the dance 1t means by
adding the sanction of school authori-
ties to the questionable pursuit that
many new devotees will be added
There can be only one method of cop
| ing with the matter, the final author
! ity-the parent There can be no good
reason for the use of the gymnasium
for dancing except to provide for the
amusement of favored few at the
expense, morally and financially, OF
the many.