Evening journal., 1913-12-04
DANCING In
THE Y. W. C. A.
Philadelphia Conference on
Today to Discuss the
Subject

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Dec 4.-The
question of permitting mixed dancing
in the rooms Of the Young women's
Christian Association. as feature
Of social evenings is to be threshed
out this afternoon as the closing
topic Of discussion at the two-day
conference Of Volunteer Association
Workers from Pennsylvania, Della
ware and Maryland, which opened
yesterday.
To-day's session was opened this
morning in Westminster Hall, in the
Witherspoon building, with meet
ing OF the Field Committee for the
three States, presided over by Mrs.
George Vaux, Jr.. the chairman.
The afternoon meeting, also in
Westminster Hall will be presided
over by Mrs. Charles ~ Judson, OF
Brooklyn. There will be an address
by Miss Emma Hays. executive secre-
tary of the Joint committee Of Phila-
delphia, to be followed by a discus
sion OF the vesper service, led by
Miss Olive Van Horn, of Wilkes
Barre, and Mrs. John Reilly, of Har-
risburg, and q discussion of social
evenings, in the association, led by
Mrs. II. p. Lincoln. of Williamsport,
and Mrs. Edgar Surge, Of Scranton.
The closing exercises will be con-
Quoted by Mrs. John Meigs, of Potts
town, and Miss Laura Maxwell, OF
Easton
Il is under the topic Of social even
ings in the association that the ques-
ton of dancing is expected to come
to the fore. 1t always has been
fruitful subject for discussion in as
sociation work Many good women
engaged In the work frown upon
dancing in any form and the Ques-
ton of permitting or forbidding il
has been left largely to the discre-
tion Of those in charge of association
buildings.
The importance which the question
has assumed was made plain at the
close Of yesterday afternoon's ses-
sion. Mrs. Martha p. Falconer, sup
erintendent Of Sleighton Farms Girls
House OF Refugee the last speaker Of
the day, had urged the necessity OF
social workers In small towns making
life more attractive for young girls.
TO keep them at home and away from
the dangerous life of the big cities.
In this connection she had unquali-
iedly endorsed as perfectly normal
and natural the girls desire for the
company Of the boys and said that,
under proper conditions, the mingling
of the sexes In social intercourse was
one Of the surest ways to interest the
girls.
AT the conclusion of the address. Mrs.
Judson presiding, asked If Mrs. Fall
coner would advise inviting boys to the
Association rooms for social evenings.
"lou know, we have always been 1T
tie afraid OF the boys and haven't been
as ready to welcome them as we might
have been" she said. Mrs. Falconer
heartily approved of this plan and then
one of the delegates asked her what she
thought of supervised public dancing.
Splendid" was the reply. I'VE are
going to try It in this city. ] believe
Il has been successful wherever tried.
The unprotected dance hall is one OF
the worst evils a girl has to meet,
but she will dance and you can't pre-
vent her. So the next best thing
Is TO see that she dances under proper
surroundings and in proper company.
Il would also endorse the moving
picture shows under proper condi-
tions. II is not necessary for moving
pictures to be shown in close, stuffy
and totally dark rooms Enough light
may be had to make il safer and
enough air to make il healthful"