The New York herald., 1921-07-24
BUT WON is OMITTED
Prussian Generals Patriot
ism Admitted, but German
Name Aroused Anger.
RUMP MEETING PROTESTS
Children Who Wanted Amer
lean Name Parade and Are
Conveniently Sidetracked.

The residents of River Edge Manor.
N. j., who have been protesting
against the decision of the Board OF
Education to give to the new public
school in the Manor the name of Steu-
ben, In honor of the Prussian General
who drilled the American army at Val
ley Forge, have lost their fight. The
cornerstone was laid yesterday and the
name is Steuben School. The only
concession made by the board was to
be noted on the printed programme.
The won" was omitted from the chris
tening, and the hero Of the hour was
reduced from Baron Frederick William
Augustus Henry Ferdinand Won Steu-
ben to plain Gen. F. w. A. Steuben."
A group Of children who will attend
the school tried to march on the field
where the exercises were held behind
a placard lettered, These American
children demand an Amricean name
for their school," The placard was
carried by John Hendrie, a member of
tho American Legion, who was with
the army at the Mexican border and
ready to cross the Atlantic when the
armistice was signed. Constable George
Mack saved the day by edging Hend-
rie and his children's crusade back into
the road, where stood automobiles of
the Manor, crying by means Of black
type on strips of cloth, American
names for American schools
There was no flare-up. but obviously
lot of bitter feeling between the con-
trolling faction of the township-Ger-
man-American-and the rest of the peo-
pie had been gratuitously stirred UP by
the determination of the school board
to name the school for Gen. Steuben.
After the cornerstone laying the pro-
testants went across the road. and under
the NAPLES held a meeting of their own.
while the German-American families
from up Peetzburg way drove off in
ing derlsively.
Recognized ns a Patriot.
Resolutions adopted at this rump
meeting were presented by Justice of the
Peace S. w. Richards and Arnold G.
Osterlund. secretary of the committee.
They described Gen. Won Steuben as
"Prussian born soldier Of fortune" and
said that the Board of Education Of
Palisades township. In which lies River
Edge Manor, had disregarded the wishes
of the american residents OF this dis
trict" The resolutions recognized Gen.
Won Steuben "as true patriot and one
who served valiantly and well deserved
the honors he received"
The protest II was avowed, was made
because "the thoughts of the vacant
chairs and aching hearts in many an
American home caused by the bullets,
shrapnel gas and torpedoes of the Ger
mans in the late war overshadow the ac-
ton of one of their nationality that was
a good soldier and n true patriot"
Resolved" the declaration went on.
that such names as Washington, Ham
ilton, Lincoln, Grant or any one of the
great leaders of this free country would
be more inspiring to the rising genera
ton than the name of any foreign born
no matter how great"
The thought that any affection for
Germany dictated the choice of name
was repudiated by the president of the
School Board, John = Anierim. who laid
the corners.Nop- and the "outside speak
err" william d. Lorenzo a lawyer from
Hackensack.
There was no intent on our part to
cause disturbance or friction when we
decided upon the name Of Steuben." Mr.
knierim said I'VE sought to do honor
to some one closely associated with this
section from n historical viewpoint and
because the Steuben homestead is To-
Gated just across the river from this
spot we thought our position well
founded. We did not select the name
because It was German, but to do honor
to a man who gave his best to help give
America the freedom 1t now enjoys"
Quotes George Washington.
Mr.. Knierim also brought forward, as
evidence of the Generals fitness for ap-
probation In this age, a letter from
George Washington to Won Steuben,
praising him as soldier and patriot and
saying that the President. who on that
day retired to private life. awaited the
opportunity of embracing his friend.
Between times members of the COM
munity who wanted purely American
name" for the school. said that the school
board had chosen the name Steuben
without asking for suggestions from
River Edge Manor. Reporters were
asked to scan we'll the names OF the
school board. These are John J.
Knierim, president John w. Kobel, vice.
president; Edward l.. Graf, clerk; Ar
thur Malugani, j. c. Block, Ed III. Nit
teIkauf Henry w Oswald, Felix Kientz
and August w. wilkie. II is admitted
that they represent a majority OF the
township voters.