Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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16 THE SPECTATOR To the new teachers we extend our best wishes, and hope that they will enjoy this and many future years with us. HY IK 'Y ll' ak We begin school this year under a new city superinten- dent, Nlr. Nluir, of the University of Pennsylvania. We extend Nlr. Muir a cordial welcome, and hope that his work in the city, and especially in the High School, will be both interesting and profitable. lk Il' Sl' ll ll That same tendency to join the Emerson Society in a body, was again manifested in the Junior Class. On this account, it has been necessary for Mr. Long to assign them to the societies. While it is doubtful if one should be compelled to take the oath of membership in a society to which he does not wish to belong, a new method should certainly be adopted. The popularity of one society over the other is entirely unreasonable, for the societies will be what the members make them, regardless of names. A reason sometimes advanced for this impropor- tion is that by joining one society a class can control it. This reason, however, is very unreasonable to any one seriously considering the subject, and furthermore we hope this is not the spirit of the new members. This year the society work will be considered a part of the regular work in literature. This was decided be- cause of a lagging of interest in societies, and because elocution and oratory are usually classed with literature. This will make society work a duty, and obliterate that feeling on the part of some, that they are bestowing a favor when agreeing to take part in a program. lt has been thought best to have only two regular societies this year. This was done on account of pro- grams of the lower classes. It IF HF lk ll At last, after much serious deliberation on the part of council, the street has been paved and a new pavement laid in front of our school building. This was a much needed improvement, and has been brought up occasionally in High School for several years. lt is an improvement that will beneit not only the ward, but the whole city.

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THE SPECTATOR I5 tion. The Spectator is an organization of the school, it is the medium through which the ideas and opinions of the students should be made public, and those having ideas or opinions should not hesitate to put them in literary form and offer them to their school paper. I ll' lb- ll' l Although the signing of a peace treaty between Russia and Japan was a great victory for arbitration, it was also a grand triumph of the diplomacy of England in pursuing her own selnsh plans. England has for many years, been plotting against the Russian power. This, because she realized that Russia would be her chief rival in obtaining control of China. England, in fact, brought about the war by encouraging Japan and making an alliance with her. But she had to bring about peace when she saw that Japan had carried on the war as far as she could. Since all the press associations are in Anglo-Saxon hands, it was an easy matter for her to stir up a sentiment for peace. As it was intimated that these came from Russia, Japan immediately thought her- self victorious and prepared to receive the spoils. But when Russia did not seem willing to accede to her de- mands, it was necessary for English diplomats to advise the Japanese to sign a treaty. not satisfactory to themselves. By this treaty Japan has received the guardianship of Korea, but England, through her alliance with Japan, will practically control this. Thus England has accomplished her purpose, obtained a foothold in the east, where she can be at hand to pick up an excuse to gobble up part of China, and has destroyed the Russian power in that quarter of the world. l i il 1 i The Spectator extends a hearty welcome to the mem- bers of the faculty, with the hope that they too will Hnd this a pleasant as well as a prontable year. We are- pleased to note that nearly all the old teachers have returned to spend another year with us. Miss Nluloch, our former English teacher, has accept- ed a position as teacher,of English in the Altoona High School.

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THE SPECTATOR 17 But, now that council has done its part, it only remains for us to do ours. ln the pavement places have been left in which to plant trees. Trees would yet add a great deal to the appearance of the campus. As each class has planted a tree on the campus, it is probable that they will also leave classmarks on the sidewalk. ll' 4' ill ll Ill For several years past there has been each year some agitation concerning a carpet for the library. This year, as we return to school, it is again called to mind by the bare floors of that room. lt seems strange that so many other improvements are being made but the li- brary Ieft as it was. The value of a carpet in the library will never be appreciated until the carpet is there. A library can not be well used when it is made very noisy by the treading of persons going in and out. That a car- pet is the proper solution of the difhculty is not disputed. it o c 1 ET Y g f ig ? , E begin society work this year with more material than ever beforeg and, even tho it will be dif- ficult to fill the places left by last year's class, it should be a good year in society work. Then let us, members of the Emerson and T. K. E. societies, make a bold stroke for success from the very beginning, and climb steadfast- ly to the top of the ladder. Let the work that we do