The Washington times., 1915-03-28
WOMEN TILT OVER
VOCATIONAL STUDIES
Spirited Argument on Resolu-
tions and Row on Par|ia-
! mentary Law Marks Meeting

A spirited tilt on a resolution to urge
the Board of Education TO adopt FUR
ther vocational training in Washington
schools, during which teachers were ac-
cused of permitting boys to "twiddle
their thumbs while girls, are taught
domestic science. and mothers were
charged with trying to 'foist off home
training on ovcrworked school teach
crs,' marked the meeting of the Dis
trict Federation of Womcn's Clubs at
the Raleigh last evening.
Scarcely had this been concluded when
DR.. Sa!iic Jones Jaegers and Miss Sarah
S. James locked horns over several
points of parliamentary law while Mrs.
Ellis Logan who was presiding, vainly
strovc to restore order.
The vocational training resolution was
ordered printed and sent to delegates
OF each club In the federation pending
consideration at the next meeting.
Mrs. James started lively war OF
words about vocational education when
she asserted that boys of the fotrth
and NTH grade were left to IDLE time
away, while the girls were taught mil
linerN Mrs. Faber Stevenson, prom
inent clubwoman, writer, and a former
teacher, disputed the truth of that as
scrtion, and pointed out that teachers
are compelled to adhere to schedule or
was employed in regular rccitations by
boys.
Should Begin At. Home.
"FOcational training" said Dr. Jaeg-
ers, who is chairman of the vocational
education committee, should begin at
home. The best place to begin the
study of the science of government is in
the home. When a boy or girl is al
lowed to dictate to q father or mother
how homo should be run there is lttlo
chance that no will become a law-abid-
ing citizen.
"I do not agree with those who seem
to think all training for life should be
in the hands Of teachers. They already
have enough to do in teaching the
Three RS, badly spelled"
Miss Ellen Marshall RugS said the
federation should Investigate the extent
to which vocational education already
was employed in the schools before the
board passed any such n sweeping reso-
luton. DR.. Jaegers said that the eX-
pcnse of such training also should be
considered before the federation voted
to back it,
The election of a new auditor pre-
cipitatcd a debate on parliamentary
law between DR.. Jaegers and Mrs.
James. Mrs. James wished the scCre-
tary to cast the deciding ballot for the
only nominee, Mrs. Henry Churchill
Cook DR.. Jacgers said the constitution
Roberts. tho parliamentarian whose
rules were used in Congress, had ruled
that persons not nominated might be
voted for.
when studied Cushing's paria-
mentary law | did not learn anything
like that" Mrs. James retorted.
We'll, he is a pretty antiquated
authority" DR.. Jaeger's replied.
First Aid To Congress.
Roberts is the man who enables Con-
gross TO do SO much crooked work,
Mrs. James responded Then heated
controversy cnsued over the merits of
these two parliamentary authorities:
concerted lettcr-writing campaign
against billboards was. started by Mrs.
civics committee of the federation:
Each club will write 10 the Board of
Trade and to the Commissioners asking
that unsightly billboards be removed.
These billboardS are an antlquatcd
mode of advcrtising.' Mrs. Grandtield
said. "I have interviewed the Commls-
sioners and the Superintendent of Po-
lice about them, and have received
much encouragement in our work.
Many of the billboards arc not used
any longer, and these, at least, could
nc removed and the city would be made
much more slightly thereby
Mrs C;randfcld also reported that the
SUPERINTENDENT of public buildings and
grounds had been notified of specific
instances where triangles and parks
were not in good condition. She said
she had received communication from
him saying that these would be looked
after
Speaking for the vigilance committee.
Mrs Grandfield also told of conferences
with motion picture thcater proprie-
tors about billboards used by them, and
about the types of pictures shown. She
said that these proprietors had assured
her thcv would bc glad to show cduca-
tional and travel films, but that ef-
forts TO get crowds to sec such pictures
even bv giving away tickets. had failed
Mrs. Grandficld urged club women to
patroniZe houses showing pictures of
this type.
The Phil Sheridan Womans Relief
Corps and the stanton Equal Suffrage
club were received into membership of
the federation.
report was read showing that s226 O3
had been added to the fcderations
building fund by recent luncheon and
dinner.