The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-06
BOSTON DANCE TEACHERS
RESENT HARSH CRITICISM
Will File Protest Against Statements
Made by DIR. Frank &.
Richardson.
III. RIIAEI'IRNIS
ASSERTION
Declares Modern Dance Constitutes
Moral Ulcer, Menacing Morality,
and Is IL Potent Factor in PRODUCE
ton of Crime.
Especial 10 The Times Dispatch.

Especial 10 The Times Dispatch.l
Boston. Mass, July 5.-Boston's
modern dance teachers, $50 in all.
headed by Mrs. Lila Vilcs wyman, will
file protest at a special meeting of
mcnts OF DR.. Frank e. Richardson. Bos-
ton University professor, that the mod
crn dances arc the acknowledged ave
nue. TO the moral downfall Of a host of
wives and daughtcrs-that n "dcvilish
ingenuity" has been used In its poses
Or. Richardson, in an interview to-
day, reailirmed his assertion made last
week al THE homeopathy convention In
Atlantic city. that the modern dance
constitutes n modern ulcer. mcnacing
our morality, and is a potent factor in
the production OF crime. The professor
also assailed tho feminist movement
which encouraged women to initiate
the vices as we'll as the manners OF
men, ana finally his remarks were
turned against the feminine mode OF
attire. III which he says: There seems
TO exist rivalry as TO how far the
female form divine may be publicly
disclosed without infringing the law
against indecent exposure"
Professor Hugo Munsterherg. Har-
wards noted psychologist, added to the
Juror by siding with DR.. Richardson.
Professor Munstcrberg said:
The modern dance is erotic and sex
melting. The love of excitement ex-
presses itself in tho dance, and the
dance hcichtcns the love OF excite
mcnt."
That tho modern dancing method
has been the acknowledged avenue TO
the moral downfall Of large numbers
OF wives and daughters who have
been led captive by this craze of syn
copation and laying on of hands. there
can be no doubt" declared DR.. Rich
ardson.
1T is Il war on physical health. mans
moral nature. The dance hall is the
nursery of tho divorce courts. the
training ship OF sex evils. the gradua
ton school of infany. The various
steps and poses OF the dances arc con-
trivcd with devilish ingenuity to cx-
cite the instincts of tho sex.
II must be understood that all who
dance do not do from impure mo-
tivcs. but there exists even in the So
called upper classes OF society large
number of those who, without obvious
mental or intellectual defects, are nos
scsScd OF marked immoral and crimi
nal tendencies, and the license afforded
by the modern dances furnishes them
unrcstraincd opportunity for social
Scnsualtsm."
IN discussing DR. Richardson's asper-
sious upon the dance, Mrs. Wynan said:
DIR. Richardson's charges are ALB
surd. outrageous and incNcuSably in
sulting to the dancing teachers Of Bos-
ton and of the country. Ills statement
| that the modern dancing method Is AN
! avenue of moral downfall for women
| is a direct insult TO teachers, and like
wise absolutely without ground. Tho
| whole aim Is 10 teach dancing so that
! II Will be an expression of beauty
| purity and grace. If the doctors state
ments were true the whole world would
be in n pitiablc state. for the craze for
dancing has penetrated to every corner
| OF the globe