The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-18

The annual convention of the Mime
pta Federation of Women's Clubs held
his week in Albert Lea was entertained
BY the three federated clubs of the city,
che Travel Glass, the Zetamathean Liter
AIRY Society Of Albert Lea college and the
Beethoven Club. The Travel Glass has
been long established and is charter
member of the state federation. It's pres
ent president, Mrs. w. f. Todd, and it's
last president, Mrs. r. B. Skinner, chair
man of the local committee. were indie
fatigable in working for the comfort and
pleasure Of the delegates. Their efforts
were ably seconded by Mrs. F. A. Fuller,
president Of the Beethoven Club and
Mines. Willard MacAllister, 0. N. Olberg,
a. 8. Kidder, G. N. Town and Miss Mary
Cutler. chairmen Of the subcommittee.
The Beethoven club is only year Old
As might be guessed 1t Is devoted to Gre
Rting a musical atmosphere in Albert Lea
and follows a carefully prepared course
Of study It's twenty-five members ia
cfude some women who are not musicians
but the work is SO arranged as to give
them literary duties to perform. The club
contributed its full share to the music Of
the convention. Mrs. MacAllister proving
y dne accoupanist.
important Committee Reports.
Nearly all Of tho details of carrying on
the lines Of work laid out by the annual
p1ittees. The reports Of these are there
fore the record of actual accomplishment
They are Of first Importance to all in
touch with the work or interested in
knowing what the state federation and
the federated clubs are really doing and
planning. The reports demonstrated that
minnesota has an admirable committee
system by which carefully selected list
OF women do an immense amount Of eff
In
junction Of most Of the committees is to
direct and inspire the clubs for work, but
I'm Bone cases the committees work d.
rectly, as in the forestry and state re-
Sormatory work. The committee work is
then upheld. strengthened and supple
mented by the work Of the individual
clubs and club members.
The committee reports were models OF
Notwithstanding, interesting and in
spring.
Mrs. c. N. Akers reported that the reci-
procity bureau would now be conducted
by a. committee Of seven Hamline women
of the Fortnightly club, who could d.
vide the work and still work together
with great harmony. In this division pro-
grams will be in charge Of Mrs. J. P.
Caldwell; manuscripts and clippings, Mrs.
F. E. Brown: reporting the work of the
bureau for the state federation organ,
Miss Cora Montgomery; exhibits of bu-
bureau, Mrs. H. c. Behrens. References
will be looked up for out Of town women
and material for club work requiring
special research will be prepared for a
small fee by Mrs. Charles H. Stevens. A
high tribute was paid to Mrs. w. O. Fry
berger, who had done The pioneer work
in the bureau and organized it efficiently.
The study of club programs and the bu-
reau correspondence has shown that Min
nesota women are keenly alive to all ques-
lions touching life or living in the state
and country.
Art Conditions Investigated.
The report Of the art committee, pre-
pared by Mrs. w. E. Thompson, showed
much valuable work in investigation. The
committee his inquired into every phase
of art development in the state, and all
the agencies for it's furtherance were re-
viewed clearly and conc1sely. Astonish-
nent was expressed at the small num-
Der Of persons in the state having a
knowledge Of art technique. The best
work Is being done in the training in first
principles of art in the public schools of
Minneapolis and st. Paul. There are
seventeen clubs in the federation doing
art study and thirteen using the travelling
art photographs Of the federation. Mrs.
Thompson saw an encouraging growth In
art sentiment all over the country as in
Dictated In various art commissions. She
announced that bill was being drafted
for state art commission.
The forest reserve committee reported
through Its chairman. Mrs. W. e. Bran
hall that SUCCESS had during the year
como to the great project Of the state fed
GRAFTON to secure the establishment Of a
national forestry park in the pine lands
Mt the headquarters of the Missis-
stppt as provided In the amended Nor
Ills bill passed by the last congress. It
recognized all the points for which the
federation has been striving, the setting
aside for preservation Of $4,000 acres in
islands and beautiful points for park pur-
pose and the cutting Of 200, 900 acres on
&oreatry principles under the direction OF
the national bureau Of forestry. In the
cutting at least 3 per cent Of the pine
must be left for natural reseedtng.
Women Favor Reformatory
The state reformatory special commit
tee was made q standing commit.
tee and Mrs. G. o. WEIGH reported thai
there ara not only legal obstacles in the
way Of establishing such an institution
for women but public opinion, which op-
posed any public statement that such ar
institution is necessary or desirable This
prejudice is especially strong In the ru-
tai districts. The report says, 1.-THE ar
eunent is generally advanced that as we
have no refornatory, there cannot be any.
body to reform; that as there are so few
convicted criminals there can be ne
crime, and If by any chance there are
women in need Of custodial care, the elite:
and not the state at large should be
charged with their reformation. The fac