Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-25

service reform committee, Mrs. Cole did work that attracted atten-
ton outside of Nebraska. When Mrs. Sarah Plat Decker retired
she established a precedent by going back into the ranks to WORK
She accepted the craftsmanship of the national civil service reform
conn ittee, and she asked that Mrs. Cole be appointed to serve with
her and Miss Anna Clarke OF Missouri, whom she a Veeu III
the Craftsmanship. This honor Mrs. Cole has accepted.
In retiring from her office of state president, Mrs. II. L. Keete
goes up to higher honors. At the biennial convention OF the General
Federation of womens CLUBS, held in Boston last June, Mrs. keete
was elected one of the eight directors of that organization of 100000
women. Her election will give to Nebraska for the first time actual
representation on the national board. Twice before this honor has
come to the state, but both times the state has been deprived OF its
Womans club, was one of the earlier directors, but owing to con-
tinued Illness in her family was unable to participate in any of the
councils. Mrs. Belle NJ. Stoutenborough of Omaha was elected q d.
rector at the st. Louis biennial, but left the state Immediately, and
as she did not resign the office that appointment profted Nebraska
nothing. Mrs. Keee was one of nine members present at the first
meeting of the present executive board, held at Colorado Springs in
September, and she has been recognized with the craftsmanship Of
on of the committees.
In turning over the affairs of the State Federation, the retiring
executive board leaves things in promising condition. The federation
now includes 1877 clubs, with a membership of about 5000, in about
400 towns. Reports of clubs and district organizations at the recent
convention held in Omaha were substantial contradiction of the
claim that the womans club movement is OF the decline. Club inter
est has never been stronger and the membership has never been so
closely in touch. 1t is true that there will. not be as much asked in a
legislative way this year as there was two years ago, but having
gained s. much then there is less to ask for now. The women will.
however. ask for an increased appropriation for the State Travelling
Library commission, an increase of 81, 900 a year, or a biennial APP
preparation of $4,000 being desired. This they will ask upon recon-
mendaton Of the secretary and other members of the commission,
quate. Having organized and supported the original circulating
library in Nebraska, the club women feel that their continued active
interest in it is justifiable. The clubs in many towns support the
local station, that is, provide the annual funds that bring the books
to their towns. AS councillors with school boards and others inter-
ested in library extension, the women r more closely in touch with
the library work than almost any others in the state, and often have
occasion to realize how handicapped the work of the commission is
for want Of sufficient funds to properly carry it on.
In a local way, clubs will ask much this year in the way of i'm
proved school conditions. Manual training and domestic science have
already been introduced in many towns at their request and In sew