Arizona republican., 1915-02-19
TELLS MOTHERS
 CHILDREN ARE
 BORN SN0BB|SH
Sims Ely Says School Dances Help to Make Young Folks Aristocratic Mrs. Norton Reelected President of Congress

"All of us know that children are natural snobs some of them can be insufferahe snobs if encouraged by a silly mother or by circumstances which feed their vanity" said Sims Ely in the course of an address on "To What Extent is the School Responsible for the Social Activity of the Child be fore the congress of mothers yester- day
 Mr Ely declared that the school dance" is conductive of snobbory and that it should not be tolerated
 Athletics have proper place in the schools, nnquestionably' said the speaker 'Boys and girls are more likely to be sound mentally if they have sound bodies and there must be play to offset work. l hear that diff ferences of opinion have arisen over the question of dances given under the auspices of the high school authorities. If the same question should present itself with relation to the city schools, for which l have some official re- sponsibilty l should be against the official dance. 1 should find it unnec- essary to consider the obvious inadyis- ability of bringing into controversy question which involves the sensibili- ties and religious principles of parents and pupils, but would find it sufficient to rest objection upon the ground of expense and upon the incidental in fluences which may be injurious" | am g profound believer in the wisdom of fostering principles of democracy in the schools. All of us know that child ron are the natural snohs some of them can become insufferable snobs, if encouraged by silly mother or by circumstances which feed their vanity. Consideration for the rights and com fort and happiness of others is not compatible with 9 spirit of snobbery, and l am afraid that official school dances. if carried to any considerable degree of frequency might develop this objectionable spirit. Dances are likely to call for extra cloths-better clothes than the everyday associations of the school demand And what is more 1 conductive to snobberv in a child than comparisons of clothes for a dance and the opportunities for eloating over and ioering at the boy or girl who 1 finds if inconvcnient to appear in the | requisite fineryn What is more likely l to cause heartburnings of mothers at ] home. pinched ny poverty, than to hear | the reproaehes of thoughtless children who can not be provided with the ] wished-for raiment for . the school l dance? l am bound to say that l am unable to understand how q thought ful school officer can find himself in doubt on the question of the official dance. The same principle here laid down ought to lead to easy solution of all similar problems I mean all prob lems If entertainment which call for contributions by pupils l am strong believer in wholesome amusements for
 children. and this of course includes all school children Likewise, l am for every proper entertainment which
 can be furnished to all alike. But
 think there ought to be rigid rules
 against all schemes which lay fin
 ancial tax on the pupiIs-We can't sub
 dUe snohhery and We cant assure a
 spirit of genuine democracy otherwise
 concedo, of course, that there may he
 occasions when this rule could be wise
 lv waived. But I am speaking of po-
 licios not exceptions"
 The welfare of boys and girls was the keynote of the morning and after
 noon sessions, held in the auditorium
 of the high school yesterday The op-
 cning meeting was devoted to routine
 business and the annual election of of
 ficers. For the fourth year, Mrs. I. C
 Norton was chosen to head the organi-
 zation. the remaining members of the
 executive board being Mrs. Frank AL
 kire. first vice president Mrs Me } Killop of Globe, second vice president
 Mrs. R. W. Washbufn. recording secre
 tary; Mrs. F. H. Abbott corresponding secretary and Mrs. A. M McOmie treasurer.
 In her annual address the presiden
 Mrs. Norton. expressed her gratifica
 ton in the establishment of seven ney
 circles formed bringing the number O
 associations affiliated with the Con
 gress up to tWentY-three with a mem
 bership of over five hundred She re - commended the study of child hygien 3 by the mothers and amid much ap
 plause announced the organization e