The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-06-06
THEY WERE GIVEN DIPLOMAS
IN NORTH MANKATO
Interesting Exercises We're Held
In the Educational Building
Last Evening
THOSE WHO RECEIVED DIPLOMAS

Harley BagleX Violet Brown, Lucille
Burrill, Grace Claridge, Igrid Field,
William Glesnes,5 Clarence Johnson,
Edna johnson, George Johnson, Perc'
Klatt, Walter Lehman, Erick Lund,
Lloyd Mcdonald, Harold McGrath,
Homer Moses, Leonard O'Brien Maud
Paswalk, Rex Trautman, Marshal
Wildes, Jessie Viesselman.
Twenty graduates of the North
Mankato graded school received their
diplomas last evening, the gradual
ing exercises being held in the viii
lage school. A large number of peo
pie were present for the exercises
and the room and stage had been
prettily decorated with boughs, flow
ers and ferns. Across the rear of
the platform, in the class colors of
maroon and gold the words Loyalty
1919" the class motto, was worked
with ribbons.
Rev. w. H. Irwin pronounced the
invocation at the opening of the
exercises. Following this Percy
Klatt, recited KipIing's poem IF"
Harold McGrath and Erick Lund gave
a spirited discussion on the question
Of government ownership and opera
ton of the railways. Mr.. McGrath
contended that the government
should own and operate the roads
because of their wide scope and
great Importance to the American
people. He declared the roads were
of a mixup at the beginning of the
war ard that the government had to
take over the roads. Because they
have outgrown every other institution
and are of such vital need, he stated
they should be controlled and oper-
ated by the government.
Erick Lund cited constitutional
authority to prove that the govern
ment had no right to own and OPP
crate the roads. He maintained that
under private ownership and control
the roads gave far better service.
AS an example of governmental in
efficiency he cited the huge deficit
which the-government has recently
piled up.
Director General Hines admits
this deficit" said the speaker. "Com-
pared with Burleson his mistakes are
far the greater.
Read Glass Prophecy.
Miss Edna Johnson read the class
prophecy and brought laughter from
the audience in many instances from
the amusing futures she had foretold
for the members of the graduating
class.
Clarence Johnson read a biography
of Theodore Roosevelt, reviewing
the life of the great American from
his toyhood and paying high tri-
butte at the close. "Clemenceau And
His Work." was the title of paper
| read by Jesse Viesselman.
W.. e. Stewart of the board of
education presented the diplomas to
the students. In doing so he ex-
pressed hope that all the members
of the class would go on through
high school and college. He con-
graduated the boys and girls on the
record they had made thus far and
| said that the community at large
was interested in their success. AS
| each generation came, he declared,
an effort should be made to see that
| it was better educated than the last
and in this manner a great future for
|. America would be insured.
| Mr.. Stewart called off the names
Of the graduates and they walked
| forward to receive the diplomas. Fol
! lowing the presentation Miss Grace
| Claridge played a piano solo.
AS the closing number the class
staged a short. one act farce en-
| titled Graduation at Gayville." The
little play showed the class prepar-
ing for their graduation exercises,
| the rehearsals of the various parts.
| each was to take in the program and
closing with the singing of the class
| song.
Principal Pryor had charge of the
! exercises of the evening.