100 years ago in Spokane: Spokane Ministerial Association takes stand against ‘modern dance’ in public schools

The Spokane Ministerial Association took a resolute stand against teaching “the modern dance” in public schools.

The “civic righteousness committee” of the association drew up a resolution stating their unqualified opposition to dance instruction. It also supported a ban on both “the teaching and practice” of dancing in the schools.

“There is only one question for us to consider,” said Rev. J.T. Smith. “Is dancing beneficial or not to young people? If it is not, as we believe, then we should oppose it.”

Only one minister seemed reluctant to endorse a ban. Rev. W.S. Middlemass said that since young people “seem to be crazy to dance, they should be met halfway and their dancing given the proper supervision.” He questioned whether the ministers should place themselves “in a position of favoring a ban on something that is becoming universal.”

In the end, even Rev. Middlemass voted for the resolution, which was unanimously adopted.

The ministers also took a stand against “uneducational and immoral” picture shows, and against the showing of any movies at all on Sundays.

From the food beat: Two Alberta men were planning to start a new industry in Spokane: the mushroom industry.

They planned to operate a large “mushroom cellar” capable of supplying 100 pounds every day. They were looking for good-sized building near water.

The mushrooms would be supplied fresh to local markets, and the rest canned.