Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-11
FIRST SESSION OF
MOTHERS CONGRESS
Called to Order in the Metro
poi|tan N. E. Church.
ADDRESS OF ITS PRESIDENT
Resume of Work Accomplished the
Past Three Years.
WANTS HEADQUARTERS HERE
Reports Submitted by Corresponding
Secretary and Treasurer,
Respectively-Notes.
ADDRESS OF ITS PRESIDENT
WANTS HEADQUARTERS HERE

Observation-Disclosures.
The first International Congress Of
Mothers met in its first business session
at $50 this morning in the Metropolitan
NJ. f. Church. the other meetings having
been only preliminary. The address OF
the national president. Mrs. Frederick
Schoff. was the first number on the pro-
gram to claim attention. Mrs. David
O. Mears. first vice president, presided
during the delivery of the national presi-
| dents address.
Mrs. Schoff was received with enthusi-
astic applause as she came forward. Her
address was a resume of the work Of the
last three years The principal recon-
| mendation is that there shall be perma-
nent headquarters and that they shall be
in Washington, where the triennial ses-
| sions are held
This suggestion was received with ap'
plause, and it is stated that these head
quarters will be established in the near
| future
Mrs. Schoff's Address.
| The address Of the national president
was IN part as fOllOWS:
State organizations have been formed
| in Idaho, Washington, Oregon. Georgia
| Louisiana, Colorado, Arizona and Mis-
| sissippi.
The congress voted in March, 1905, to
have an official organ Of its own. The
provisions OF ways and means to accom-
| plish this were left to the officers and
managers. Several plans were considered
| but it was not until November. 1905. that
the National Congress of Mothers Maya
zine made its first appearance. NO capital
was provided. but the total expense OF
printing per year was estimated at $1,SOO
| and the advertising manager felt sure that
amount could be covered by advertise
ments. But one small salary was paid
and all that could be done to keep down
Of Mrs. Howard w. Lippincott as bust
ness manager were given gratuitously
Owing to Ill health she was later succeed
ed by Edward W. Mumford.
Another great work the congress has
done since 1905 is the conduct of the
mothers and chiIdren's buildings at the
jamestown exposition. These buildings
! were offered to the congress in August
| 1908.
Buildings Accepted.
Your president visited Norfolk, met
the board of governors and was impressed
| with the opportunits the exposition af-
| forded to further the education of public
opinion in regard to children's needs. A
meeting Of the executive board was called
| and it was decided to accept the offer OF
the buildings. and the terms were ar
| ranged by the congress and accepted by
| the board of governors of the exposition
| The congress agreed to furnish the build
ings without expense to the exposition and
| to supervise their management: the ex-
position agreed to pay salaries as submit
| ted by the congress.
There were two cottages connected by
| veranda- One was fitted up with a H.
brary Of books for mothers and children
and a kindergarten. The other was day
nursery for children The furniture was
| loaned by different firms and individuals
| and various officers of the congress acted
| pointed superintendent. The congress had
charge Of these buildings for six months
and in that time thousands Of mothers
| came In touch with much that would
stimulate them to better motherhood and
also learned Of the congress and all that
1t stands for in the betterment of oppor-
tunities for children. a conference was
held at Convention Hall October 10 and
| reception was given on that day by the
officers Of the congress. The entire work
was without expense to the congress
The congress, in association with other
Women's organizations, used its influence
to prevent the presence of an apostle OF
the Mormon hierarchy in the Senate The
L b,
majority vote. reported that the evil
dence proved that he was not entitled To
his seat. but political pressure prevented
the adoption of the majority report. The
president, in recognition of the facts re-
vealed. recommended the enactment of an
| amendment to the Constitution giving the
| federal government power to deal with
polygamy, and several bills have been
| introduced for such an amendment. 1t is
of grave importance to the whole country
no in ho
| national government.
Juvenile Courts.
| 1.-The congress has lent its aid in Sc
curing juvenile courts and probation laws
in Texas and Louisiana, and your presi-
dent was invited to Canada to aid in in
teresting the government in the establish
ment of this system there.
''By request Of the British consul re-
ports of probation in the United States
were sent to the British parliament by
your president in 1907. and the laws have
since been adopted and women proba-
ton officers appointed in London.
I'm the desire to unity the educational
work in all women's organizations and
| to make II effective an alliance was
formed and under Miss Abbotts leader
| ship and inspiration the National Edu-
| cation ASSOCIATION mas given department
| in its body to be known as THE depart
ment for educational work of women's ma
| tional organizations Your president met
| the representatives of the four other ma
| tional organizations allied in this depart>
| ment November 1907, in Boston. Plans
| for the new department were there con-
| sidered and arranged
THE officers of the congress must meet
| travelling and other expenses personally
! In nearly all cases. The question of
| ways and means is one that should receive
the careful consideration of delegates at
! this convention.
Date of First Congress.
1T is eleven years this month since
the first national congress of mothers met
in this city. The growth of the movement
has been steady. but not rapid. Home
must not be neglected. Journeys must be
planned to cover as many places as pos
| sible en- route to annual meetings. The
| greatest gain the congress has made in
| the past three years is In the fine, earnest
woman who have Joined its ranks from
| every part Of the country. Their inter
| est and leadership means much to the
| future growth OF the work.
| The President OF the United States and
| the Secretary of State have given 1t their
earnest cooperation and help, and have
conferred with your president concerning
| the congress. When the invitations tc
forty-eight foreign countries were sent