The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1920-04-29
SCHOOL BOARD
ASKED TO LIFT
DANCING BAN
Commercial Club Authorizes
Resolution Requesting That
Directors Reconsider.
ONLY ONE OPPOSING VOTE
Il Is Urged That Majority of Parents
Of High School Students Prefer
School Dancing Parties

With only one dissenting vote the
Commercial club at Wednesday,
luncheon went on record as opposed
to the recent action of the school
board in prohibiting dancing at class
and other school functions. The club
went further than to voice its dis.
approval and authorized the drafting
Of resolution to be presented to the
board requesting that its action be
reconsidered.
The question was brought before
the club by DR.. F. M. Crosby who
said he believed he voiced the senti-
ment Of the majority Of the parents
.of high school students when he
said the action Of thesboard was i'll
advised and unwarranted in view OF
the dignified manner in which the
high school dancing parties had been
conducted.
The question was raised as to
whether or not the subject was one
which the Commercial club could
properly consider inasmuch as its by
laws prohibited ali activities or dis
cussions of political or religious
nature. The majority evidently held
the view, as expressed by one speaker,
that dancing in the schools is not a
religious question, and that the clubs
disapproval of the school boards ac-
ton could more properly be constru-
ed as an effort to prevent the injec-
ton of religious denominational be-
liefs into the administration of school
affairs.
After considerable discussion res
olution of protest was authorized and
has been prepared as follows:
~Inasmuch as we are convinced
that the recent action of the school
board in eliminating dancing as one
Of the allowable pastimes at social
functions given in the high school
for the entertainment exclusively of
students and faculty members, does
not correctly represent the sentiment
Of the majority Of the patrons of the
high school nor the taxpayers of the
district;
Believing further that past exper-
lence has fully demonstrated that
dancing at school functions, under
proper restrictions, has tended toward
good rather than evil, in that it has
stimulated spimt Of refined good
fellowship, decorous behavior and a
feeling of contentment among the
students, and has brought their social
activities more directly under the
supervision of parents and teachers,
and further,
lnasmuch as majority of the
pupils of the high school are permit
TED by their parents to dance, in the
nome, at the club, and at private and
semi-public parties, we believe it is
not the part of wisdom to deny these
young people the same form of amuse-
ment at functions which may be given
within the school building and under
sne auspices of any class or depart
ment OF the schools provided such
junction is held with the sanction and
approval of faculty members.
We therefore respectfully request
your board to reconsider it's action
ana to restore the dancing privilege
~ 1t has existed in the high school
aurlng the last few years. This re-
quest is formulated in no spirit OF
antagonism to your body but in the
oeilef that we are actuated by the
same motive as you, viz: the well be-
as OF our young people, and we be-
1eVe their well being can best be
sueguarded and guaranteed by a
poncy which will encourage them to
.n0uige in their youthful pastimes at
'ucn times and in such places as will
permit of their being properly chap
,.oned. The young people Of the
msn school dance and will continue
dance with parental consent. We
prefer to have them dance in the high
: a.nooi building rather than to drive
Mem to the country club houses OF
"aer public halls. j.
This organization stands ready to