Evening journal., 1921-03-15

DANCE AWAY
FROM MUSIC
tcontinued DOM arst pagel

None OF those present as specta-
tors spoke on the music question and
letters protesting against the pro-
posed course from the Rotary Club
Chamber OF Commerce, City Council
and the Employer Association were
+. referred TO but not read when
mention was made OF these letters.
President Rommel said: I'VE know
what they are about and there is no
use OF reading them now" II was
ordered. however. that the letters be
acknowledged.
Following the reading OF the min
utes OF the previous meeting OF the
board. DR.. Banton. who had voted
two weeks ago for the purchase Of
the musical instruments said; "Mr. |
President. ! want TO speak on tho
resolution that was adopted at the
last meeting. providing for the adj
vertising OF bids for talking machines
and pianos in the schools. Since that
time have received a letter OF conf
demnation from the Chamber of
, Commerce. feel that the COM
merce body and the daily newspapers
J who have condemned the board.
. have not read the resolution that
p was adopted. II did not state that
r the funds for these instruments
were to be transferred from one COM
- mittee's account to another.
4 Il voted for the adoption OF the
e resolution at the last meeting but my
!, thought was 10 have the funds pro-
- vided for in the next budget
n "As to this particular make OF
machine that has been mentioned. I
J. have been led 10 understand 10 was
n the best for school purposes. and as
r the State School Auxiliary had seen
10 ft to secure them I was satisfied. I
= believe We should have music In tho
g schools, as we'll as toilets. which arc
n Of course. more necessary. But why
not have both?"
Il DR.. Banton then presented the fol-
20 lowing resolution. which he after
q wards withdrew:
l. Resolved. That the bids FOR
10 monographs and pianos submitted
m on March "A. 1921 be returned un-
l. opened TO their respective makers
"a "Be 10 further resolved that this
Board OF Education advertise for
bids for monographs and pianos
IN separately or together and suitable
m for school use. The bids shall be
m submitted 20 the Board Of Education
,s at its meeting March 2s.
Z, BE IL further resolved that the
= choice OF monographs and piano'
- and the number thereof shall b'
made by the superintendent o
schools after considering the meriu
= and prices specified In the bids. TIT
'i superintendent shall be at liberty q
GO secure aid from whatever source n
may determine in making sucl
~ choice.
eu BE il further resolved that IN
III cost OF installation Of such equip
on ment and the balance due at thl
PIT time on such equipment already con
n tracted for by the various school
be placed In the budget 10 be sub
ne mitted TO council for the next schoc
or year"
o. Mr.. Stradley chairman OF the fir
Tic ance committee, who appeared h'
lai fore City Council last week as pr
&C. vate citizen and opposed the pun
NJ chase OF the musical instruments
VS. the expense OF the heating an
p plumbing committee OF the boar
or said:
m "I cannot understand why tn
nd Board should avdertise for bids an
he then refuse to open them. Further
m more I see no reason why the Boar
-u- should be partial 10 one make OF ms
mt chine. II IS not fair 20 the dealer
OF this city. Since February
when the matter OF securing n
grafonolas was first discussed, n
price on these machines has dropp'
SIS. see no reason for this resoh
ton and think II would be better
NJ the Board would rescind It's acu'
Y Of the last meeting in advertiser
n for the bids"
IA Addressing President Romm'
Mr.. Stradley referred 10 a meetii
held in the High School sometin
ago when the finances OF the Boa
me and the question OF purchasing q
ven musical instruments were discusse
hin Mr. Stradley said he opposed q
are plan at that time and later Dr. Ba
and ton had asked him (Stradley),
400 think the matter over and try to s
re- his way clear 90 the purchase. n
'rn- Stradley added that on February
{ while at Ninth and Market stree
nily Mr.. Hoffman had informed him tf
It was proposed to transfer
un- money needed for the purchase
ling the musical instruments from
ime heating and plumbing commit
ions account otherwise the unexpend
'uld amount would have TO be returned
IN City Council"
NO Mr.. stradley then had the sten'
De rapher read her stenographic no
nent OF the past four meetings or
In Board insofar as they related
Z. the purchase Of the musical insti
plus ments. The term lit" as alleged
iah- have been used by Dr. clifford
Scott, superintendent in regards
b his approval Of the purchase Of
talking machines was objected 20
,. Dr. Scott who said:
lun "As the stenographer's notes v
show you I was asked spec
question, which was, Are you in
~ vor Of music in the schools? a
.I|l 81 I answered as every one would hi
y - answered. Yes. 1 am, unquestioi
bly, That docs not mean thai
49,. said I was in favor OF robbing nj
- necessary funds TO provide mus
After the notes of the meetii
b had been read Mr.. Stradley ga
Il do not think 7 have been perm
a 4. ture in my assertions. I leave II
So the citizens Of Wilmington TO ju'
- whether have been right OF wro
-. II I have made any mistake II
80, been in my enthusiasm TO see q
no Injustice is done to any child
the city"
Coptinuinr Mr.. Stradley ga