The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-29

PLANS TALKED.
For a Louisiana Purchase Perma-
nent Memorial
AT ST. LOUIS COMMITTEE MEETING
Federation of W0men's
Club.

AS a result of. the meeting Of the gen.
eral committee on the Louisiana purchase
celebration and permanent memorial, the
question of the nature of the memorial
has been referred to the General Fedora
ton OF Women's Clubs under whose au-
thority the committee was organized.
In spite of the fact that no definite de-
cislon was reached at the meeting in st.
Louis last week, considerable amount of
work was accomplished. T h e Jour
n a Is indebted to the Minnesota mem
Der OF the committee, Mrs. G. w. Wells,
of Minneapolis, for summary of the pro-
ceedings. Mrs. Wells said:
All of the purchase states except the Da-
kotas We're represented, and Texas sent a rep
resentative who sat with us, although there
Is some question about any part of Texas
belonging to the purchase. There was the
greatest diversity Of views but absolutely no
friction. The complete harmony was delight
full. On the informal ballots there were two
votes each for the fourp principal plans, and when
1t became evident that, under the Instructions.
no decision could be reached, Miss Egan of
Louisiana proposed the following resolution:
Whereas, in view of the largeness of the
proposition presented to the Louisiana pur-4
chase states committee, and in consideration
OF the diversity of interests in the general
federation. each and all of which should re-
ceive recognition: therefore be it
Resolved, That the question Of permanent
memorial to commemorate the Louisiana pur-
chase be referred to the general federation
for settlement.
The committee, in this discussion and others,
made it plain that it was unanimously in ia
vor Of permanent memorial, but it divided
both on the matter Of finance and of the
feasibility and desrability of the four lead
ing plans The Missouri women understand
that the Endorsement of the memorial idea
by the general federation involves the
sumption of the task OF raising the necessary
funds. l do not SO understand the position
of the general, federation, and neither do
some other members of the committee. This
misunderstanding, and the further fact that,
if the federation is to raise the money, it
must be conceded the right to settle the whole
plan, induced us to refer the matter to them.
We have narrowed the matter down to four
well-def1ned plans. These are the hall of
philanthropy, proposed by Missouri; the gen
eral federation headquarters building, pro-
posed by Colorado; the scholarship fund plan.
proposed by Kansas, and the artistic memo
rial, proposed by Minnesota. The Kansas
plan has this advantage over all Of the 9TH
ers: it would benefit equally all the states,
and would not require the pledging of any
large and definite sum in advance. It would
not be difficult to- administer and would re-
quire no further funds for its support
Another stumbling block for either of the
building plans is that it is proposed to locate
either one decided upon in Forest park, st.
Louis, and that makes 1t necessary that the
title Of the building should be vested in the
city of St. Louis, and there could be no as
surance to any organization that it would re-
tain control Of the building. Then, too, it
was not felt that the hall of philanthropy
would represent the general character Of the
work Of the federation. St. Louis seems 20
be less in need of such help than most cities
for it already has strong Provident Asso-
citation, which has prospect of a liberal en-
doWment It was quite strongly limited that
the city would get it's hall of philanthropy
anyway, should the women decide to adopt
the plan.
One thing was definitely arranged-the cell
ebration of the purchase. A two days meet
ing will be held the week of Oct. IT, the date
OF the purchase, in the exposition year,
whether this shall be next year or not until
1904. At this meeting each state will be ex-
pected to send a speaker to respond to the
inquiry, what has your state done to pro-
mote good citizenship in culture, reform and
education?
The social features of the meeting were de-
lightful,s although they were not allowed to
interfere with the work planned The most
Important of these was the luncheon given
at the Country Club by the hospitality com
mittee of the Wednesday Club, the depart
ment club which entertained the purchase
committee. In spite of many vexatons, such
! as being delayed on the electric cars, and bad
weather which prevented the automobile ride
over the site of the fair. this entertainment
was great success. The 100 guests included
the visiting club women and the members of
| the lady board Of managers of the worlds
| fair.
| On this occasion there was fne program
of toasts in which had to lead off for the
visitors. responding to the sentiment .'Our
| Guests" Mrs. James Blair president of the
lady's board told her hearers that her board
had done nothing, because it had been given
| nothing to do.
We enjoyed the open meeting of the
Wednesday Club, at which Enoch Arden with
the musical setting by Strauss was presented,
but the Poultney Bigelow lecture for the
Contemporary Club we did not enjoy any
moro than our hosts, who were very indig-
| nant with the lecturer.
We attended the high school commence
ment, and, while interested in the exercises,
was chiefly interested In the place, the
Odeon Music hall. This is new building
with a seating capacity of nearly 5000, and
| it's acoustic properties seemed perfect The
| st. Louisans are very proud of their music