The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-06-20
CHIEFS
To ABOLISH
FREAKS
Anarchy of the Floor" to Be
Condemned by Convention
Of Masters July 9.
By ELSIE MCCORMICK.
COsTnOuOlitan News Service.

NEW YORK, June 20.-A valiant
attempt to abolish what has come
to be known as anarchy of the
dance floor will be made when the
national convention of dancing mas
tiers gathers here on July 9.
eve intend to standardize steps
and do away with the present era
Of lawless dancing" Arthur Muir
ray, head of the National Institute
of Social Dancing, explained today.
ut is the plan of the convention to
decide on certain worth while steps
and movements and keep them in
fashion for a full year. We intend
to open war on all freakish dances
and to blot out the vogue OF many
steps that lack rhythm and grace.
The only steps that will be given
reprieve from death are those
which are in perfect time with the
music, are done in an unconsplcu.
GUS manner, have qualities that will
make their execution a pleasure,
and are simple enough to permit
conversation while dancing.
There have been attempts to
standardize dances before. They
have failed because those who made
the rules were unable to get their
views across to the public. AS our
organization has a membership OF
over a thousand dancing instructors
from all over the United States, we
expect to have a considerable in
fluence on ballroom fashions"
The fox-trot, tango, and waltz
are the three dances that will be
officially recognized by the con-
vention. The one-step is to be
escorted to a lethal chamber and
painlessly gassed. Murray says
that this execution is taking place
at the urgent request of the stylish
stout type, who claim that the one
step races them to death.
Egyption influences will receive
scant attention, Murray says. In
fact, the convention will be per-
fectly willing to wrap King Tut in
his cerements and dispatch him
C. o. D. to his original sarcophagus.
"I have had many letters from
dancing masters in Egypt, offering
to demonstrate the dances Of the
ancient Pharoahs," hurry said.
I'VE regard such steps as freakish.
however, and we believe that the
average person would be reluctant
to cut the required capers. There
fore we are not encouraging. them"
The tango is the most fascinating
of all dances, the famous dancing
master declared. For some reason
it is popular only in winter; in the
summer 1t gives way to the fox
trot. There is not any likelihood
of a change in the waltz. In fact,
Mr.. Murray predicts that the old
fashioned waltz is coming into
greater popularity than ever.
nna ~ tho fnak11rac oP fhA
ton will be the formal debut OF
the Prince of Wales fox-trot, the
exact steps Of which will be kept
sub-rosa until they are demonstra-
ted at the convention. Mr.. Murray
revealed, however, tina: II is more
restful than other types because it
permits steps Il: slower rhythm and
includes mach swinging Of the feet
Asked to give his advice to would
lSS dancers, Murray enumerated the
following "dont's:'
Don't stop in the middle of the
floor to show your partner your
favorite step. She appreciates free
instruction ever so much, but prob
ably prefers the lesson in private.
while dancing don't let your
face betray the fact that your wife
makes you do 1t.
Don't forget that you are simply
dancing. The privilege of putting
your arm around the girls waist is
in the contract when you ask her
to dance, but this does not call for
any love scenes.
Don't cultivate freak positions.
Don't wiggle. Swaying may be
good exercise, but it is bad form
During recent years, America has
become the dancing center of the
world, Mr.. Murray stated. Dancers
in European ball rooms are follow
! ing the American vogue and a con-
siderable number of Chinese in
Shanghai and Picking are taking
correspondence courses in the latest