The herald., 1896-03-15
FEDERATION OF SOCIETIES
Held Its First Annual Meeting Yesterday.
Two Sessions
The Work Of the Year observation-disclosures
Home Society a Prominent Feature.
Other Addresses-Detali,

The annual meeting OF the Los Angeles
Federation of Societies was held with two
sessions yesterday in the Friday Morning
club room with Mrs. X. NJ. Widney pre-
siding.
The Federation of Societies was Or
ganized one year ago by representatives
of twenty-nine clubs and associations of
Los Angeles for the purpose of opening a
medium of communication to perfect ideas
in conducting associated work whether for
church charity, philanthropy. reform. edu-
cation, patriotism or pleasure. Later,
other clubs united with the federation,
which at present embraces forty divisions.
At the business session yesterday morn
ing several important changes were effected
in the organization which necessitated
revision of the constitution. 1t was agreed
to widen the sphere OF the Federatlon by
admitting clubs of the adjoining counties
to membership. The name of the society
was accordingly changed to the Federation
of Societies of Southern California. 1t was
also decided ,hat the range of cooperation
be extended by the admission of mems Or
CARNATIONS within its precincts
At the close of the business meeting a
paper describing the Association of Col
legiate Alumn;e, by Miss Sara F. Dole.
president of the Los Angeles branch A. c.
A., was read and discussed.
At the afternoon session, which began at
2 o'clock, two addresses were presented for
consideration. The first was The Chill
dren's Home Society OF California written
and read by Mrs. j. NJ. Bowies. A very
good description of this beautiful work was
given with an explanation of its character
and objects.
1t was explained that the institution pro-
vided temporary home for friendless
children until they could be suitably placed
in real homes for adoption. 1t was stated
that the object of the society was to rescue
all destitute children and place them in
Christian homes where they can grow up
as useful and self-sustaining members of
society. 1t maintains no institution be-
leving that there can be no efficient SUBJ
sttute for the family life.
Through the admirable system of man.
agement, the society first secures homes
desirous of having children, then the child
rem are found. The demand is greater
than the supply. At present there is a list
of forty names waiting for children.
Numerous instances were given OF the ben
efits that had fallen alike on many families
that had never known the JOY and comfort
of child and on the poor little waif that
had been given home.
The society represents California and
has been in existence about six years.
During the last two years it has been
under the supervision of the Rev. John
Waldo Ellis. state superintendent. In
this time over 200 children have passed
through the home, and the number is in
creasing. Although the work has been
carried on quietly and unostentatiously, it
has. alone through its evidenced power for
good, begun to take hold in the affections
of the public. In its simple character of
rescuing little children it has appealed
alike to men and women. young and old.
A pretty cottage at 22S West Twenty
fifth street has been the home OF the So
ciety, but it now intends to have home of
its own. Grider & Dow have most gener-
Twenty-fifth street and Griffith avenue for
the purpose, and operations are taking
shape. Messrs. Walk & Son, architects,
have volunteered their services from start
to finish, and Gail Borden of Alhambra
has handsomely headed a subscription list
toward the erection Of the building with
$500.
Mrs. Lucy S. Blanchard was the second
speaker. The subject was The Success of
the Federation. This paper contained a
number of apt suggestions for the future
work of the congregation. Since up to
this time no special line of work
has been undertaken, it was believed that
certain reforms of an embracing character
might be begun, such as the public house,
keeping. Many other ideas in this line
were presented, of a practical nature that
will influence the federation's line of pro-
cedure for the coming year.
The balance of the afternoon was devoted
to tine election of officers, resulting as fol-
lows: President, Mrs. L. j. Withers; vice
president, Mrs. Elmira T. Stephens re-
cording secretary, Mrs. W. A. Hartwell
financial secretary, Mrs. Amy &. Brown
treasurer, Mrs. Mary E. Threlkeld.