The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-11
Mrs. Sara Platt Decker Talks
 about General Federation

An interview with Mrs Sara Platt Decker. which was recently granted to Miss Fife Leese Scott the correspondent of a well known western newspaper, on the subject of the General Federation of Womens Clubs, will no doubt be of in- terest to the large number of women who are affiliated with club life And how does 1t feel not to be a presi- dent?" was the first question propounded to Mrs. Decker, as she sat at her desk looking over a bundle of mail which had just arrived.
 T feel sort Of relief to have the re- sponsibility lifted from my shoulders, but my interest is the same as ever. That can never change
 Did the work increas as the federal tion grew oldcr?'
 ''Yes, indeed, very much. The business connected with the office of general fed- eration president is voluminous No one can imagine the number of letters re- ceive daily, many of which must be an- swered by return mail. Telegrams come every little while, then scarcely a day passes that I GO no. receive a call from some one.
 When asked how the Boston biennial compared with previous meetings of the federation. Mrs. Decker replied: q con- slider it the finest meeting we ever held"
 How about the St. Paul convention?'
 ''That was very fine gathering" de- ciared Mrs. Decker. And we accom- plished a great deal; but 1t had more of a local coloring than the Boston biennial, which was strictly national affair."" Four years ago, when Mrs. Decker as- sumed the office of president the general federation was in rather a chaotic state from a business standpoint This was not from any particular cause, perhaps, but there had been so much crowded into the organization ii was difficult to grasp 1t as a whole or to outline def mite mode of procedure along working lines. The time was ripe for practical work, and it was well that at this pe- riod q practical business woman was placed at the helm.
 At the first session of the executive board Mrs. Decker endeavored to have the members outline the policy of the federation for the coming two years. When the convention met in St. Paul the reports showed n wonderful growth along definite lines Of work. Then. it was that Mrs. Decker had the federation, as a body, outline its policy for the next two years. She made recommendations in her message. which was adopted after being discussed by the delegates bureau of information was established, as we'll as an outlook committee formed Child la bor and industrial committees were com bined, and other suggestions made were adopted, which placed the federation on a stronger business basis than 1t had ever stood before.
 When Mrs. Philip N Moore of St. Louis took up the reins of office at the close of the Boston biennial she found the policy of the federation already outlined. There will be no hesitation about where to begin or what to do first. Committees will be appointed at the meeting of the executive board in September.
 All of the recommendations presented ty Mrs. Decker at Boston were adopted, with but one exception. These shall shape the work of the federation for the next two years. They were presented in the following order:
 No. 1-Continue the bureau of informa- tlon. with added powers"
 No. 2-Con,inue council meetings be- tween biennals, with suggestions for quiet meeting place and informal pro- gramme.
 No. 8-RsorgAnize civic committee into two divisions to be classed civic and health committees.
 No. 4-Discontinue household economic