Arizona republican., 1906-02-28
ARIZONA BRANCH, FOLK LORE
 SOCIETY.

To the Editor of The Republican Sir
 Realizing the great value to fu-
 ture generations of American folklore
 of all kinds and Indian in particular number of scholarly ladies and gen
 tlemen organized the American Folk
 Lore society in 1888. This society has
 for its object the collecting and pre-
 serving American folk-tales and folk
 songs. It publishes The Journal Of
 American Folklore, which Is edited
 by Professor A. F. Chamberlain of
 Clark University and W. W Newell of
 Cambridge. Mass. and appears quar- terly. Besides this it Issues memoirs.
 one of which contains NaVaho legenis-
 It is but necessary to give few of the
 names of those connected with thar
 organization to show the high standing
 and aim of that body F. w. Putnam
 Harvard and University Of California.
 R. B. Dixon, Harvard: G. L. Kittredge
 Harvard; Alice C. Fletcher. Washing
 ton; Franz Boas Columbia; A. l.
 Kroeber. University of California; H
 C. Lea, Philadelphia; C. F. Lummis. Los Angeles; .J- Walter Fewkes. Wash
 ington; Josephine Preston Peabody. Cambridge; Helen Leah Reed. Boston. and many other men and women well known in literary and college circles. Branches of this society are found In nearly all the important cities of the
 east Each branch has its own officers and manages its own affairs Tn some of them meetings are held as often once a month. in others less freauent-
 ly. Besides the intellectual the social value of such gatherings Is of very
 great importance.
 Until very recently there were no branches of this society in this part or the United States. Last summer. how ever. a California branch was foundel and the following named persons were
 made officers:
 President. Professor F. W. Putnam. University of California
 First vice president. Chas- Kssler. Berkeley.
 Second vice president. Professor John ] Fryer; University of California Treasurer. Professor W. F. Bade. Pa I cifie Theological Seminary.
 Secretary. Dr. A L. KrOeber. U-nf- versity or California
 Councillors. Chas. F. Lummis Pro lessor w. c. Mitchell. Mrs Thomas B. Bishop. Professor John F. AIatzke. Dr.
 C. Hart Merriam. and MT E. J. Molera- All these names are well known over
 the United States.
 Arizona is especially rich in Indian ana Mexican folklore and every loyal
 ArizOnian ought to do what he or she can to preserve il for future genera tions: for unless 1t is recorded it will 1 perish. Why. then. not have an Ari-
 zona branch of the American folklore society whose aim shall be the collect 1 ing the folk lore of Arizona Th- only expense is the membership fee which is but three dollars and this in- | cludes years subscription to the Journal of American Folklore. A short time ago Mir. W. w Newell
 wrote to the writer that the council Is
 states. For this purpose it is propos- | ed to appoint state secretaries to have charge of such organization and ir 1 general to promote the progress Of th.. society. In territories like Arizona
 which possess considerable aboriginal uncollected folklore. it ought to bs- possible to accomplish something Dn
 you feel inclined to accept the offics of secretary of Arizona 2''
 l accepted the office knowing full well that there are enough people in Arizona interested in the work and who would be glad to lend a hand. Win Phoenix as a center there should be no difficulty to establish a branca which should include members from all over the territory. Those who are ready to cooperate will please notify F. A. COLDER Tempe Normal School. Tempe. Ariz