Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-11-06
BETTER SPEECH
URGED UPON ALL
nNCITY SCHOOLS
Civic Organization Endorses
Project to Abolish Slang
and Bad Construction

September %, the Camp Curtin
Junior High school invited all the
civic agencies to cooperate in
better speech week celebration, as
part of the national event. The fol-
lowing expressions and programs
will show that since that time, the
city has become a concentrating, CO.
operating factor in the national
movement. In letters of indorse-
ment received from the various city
organizations, the opinions given
are quite identical with those of the
national speech committee. The
Chamber of Commerce sees in the
better speech movement and Har-
risburg's celebration, IAN effort that
will pave the way for a higher ap-
probation of our American ideals
and our American institutions" In
accord with the American speech
committee, Mrs. William Henderson,
president of the Civic Club, sees in
the celebration, IAN opportunity to
emphasize the value of clear, pleas
ant tone quality in speaking our
English language" The Rotary Club
expresses the opinion that "our Ian
guage should rank among us as a
national symbol" The University
Club believes that the movement is
one important to the welfare of
the American people and nation,
and that it is impossible to teach
American citizens doctrines and
ideals until our language is first
understood"
For the sentiment of the national
American speech committee, James
Fleming Hosic, secretary or the Ma
tional Council of Teachers of Eng
lish, declares Our aim is clear, cor
rect and pleasant speech in everyday
life for the sake of those to whom
we speak, and always with this goes
the ideal of English on the lips of
Americans" Quoting the sentiment
of the national committee, the Eng
lish Journal gives, The improve
ment of our speech is connected di-
rectly with the improvement of our
national life"
Other Harrisburg organizations
that have indorsed the national
movement and the city's celebration
include the Story Tellers League,
the Study Club, the Authors Club,
the Daughters of the American Rev
olution, the Wednesday Club, the
Ministerial Association, the News
boys Association, the Y. NJ. c. A., the
Y. w. G. A., the College Club.
The Public Library has arranged
an exhibit of good English reference
and poster announcements of the
celebration.
Robert Reeves. Mr.. Dinsmore. Mr..
StrawinsH and Mr.. Shenk, associat-
ed with the Y. NJ. C. A. activities,
have been prominently cooperative
in Harrisburg's celebration.
English as a medium of religious
inspiration has been stressed by the
general secretary.
The boys secretary, Wednesday
and Thursday of this week, includ-
ed Good and Clean Speech" talks
in the English class activities.
On Friday evening. Mrs. Mabel
Cronise Jones, chairman of the Y.
w. G. A, Industrial Club, Miss Hart
man, industrial secretary and Miss
club, will take up the project, Bet
ter Speech" at the forum meeting.
The members of the club represent
more than twenty manufactures
and stores of the city.
Since the idea of Harrisburg's par
ticipation in the national movement
was presented, DIR. Frederick e.
Downes, city superintendent of pub
lie schools, has encouraged and sup
ported the celebration. In accord
with his recommendation, the su-
pervisors, Martin Thomas end
Miss Anne u. Vert, and the super
visor principals of the elementary
schools, have approved and faith
fully introduced speech week OBJ
servance into their districts as the
following reports show.
Mr.. Hooker, representing Steele,
Open Air and Riverside buildings,
reports special activity at the Steele
building. The special feature of the
week will~.be "A Better American
Speech Pageant" representing the
child world under the control of
incorrect speech. After a successful
invasion by perfect speech, incorrect
speech is dethroned
Cast of Characters
Incorrect Speech-Frank Kautz.
Attendants-Dwarfs, David Evans.