Commerce High School - Commerce Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

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OUR GIRLS’ GLEE CLUB. I”T IS the custom for each High School to have many organizations, such as boys’ and girls’ clubs, orchestras, etc., and prominent among such organizations at Commerce High is the Girls’ Glee Club. The members of the club are chosen from all of the four classes, Freshmen, •Sophomores. Juniors and Seniors. No one is excluded because she has not enough points, as is the case in many schools. The only restriction placed upon us is that our number must not exceed thirty. Our club was not organized for the purpose of giving concerts or any musical productions, but rather for the purpose of representing our school in a musical way among the other schools of the city. We are organized in the same manner as other clubs. Our officers are, a president, a secretary and treasurer, and a librarian. Ever since our organization we have attended rehearsals, have worked hard and have tried our best to attain success. Our Club is deeply indebted to Mr. Manville for his kindness and untiring patience in our guidance among those many twisted and crooked paths of learning which eventually lead to song and music. ELM A MAXTEY, ’13. 73

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DEBATES. FTER the school had been in session about two months, a call for candi- dates for the debating team was issued. A large number responded, and it was evident that the school was very enthusiastic about the debating prospects. After a series of tryouts, the team was decided upon and immediately started to prepare for the coming debate. The first debate was held at East High School on January 10, 1913. Commerce had the affirmative and East the negative of the question: “Resolved, that the present immigration to the United States should be materially restricted.” Our school was represented by Henry Reich, Myron Griffiths, and Ralph Mullen, with Albert Mendelson as alternate. The judges rendered their decision two to one in favor of East High School. The result of this debate was a severe blow to our school. Former victories had combined to make the school entirely confident of the result, and it was a complete surprise to our school to find that we had been defeated. But having lost, the High School of Commerce accepted defeat without a murmur. The defeat spurred the team on to greater efforts in their preparation for the next debate. They at once settled down to hard work and it appeared that South High, our next opponent, would not have an easy task before them. They did not. The debate occurred March 21, at Commerce. Our school was represented by Ben Martin, Albert Mendelson, and Ralph Mullen, and Myron Griffiths as alternate. The question was one of national importance at the time: “Resolved, that American coastwise ships, when using the Panama Canal should be required to pay toll without countervailing exemption, rebate, or subsidy.” Commerce upheld the negative and South was completely outclassed. The decision was given unanimously in favor of Commerce, thus giving our school the honor of being the winner of the only debate won by a unanimous vote, this year. We’re still in the race for the cup! The school is extremely fortunate in having the services of such a coach as Mr. McMyler. To him is largely due the credit for Commerce’s many victories. We hope he may lead the Commerce debating teams of the future to many more victories. 75