The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13
MRS. J H. PHILLIPS TALKS ABOUI THE FREE KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION
 
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faithful friend loyal wife and a nobler mother; in short, an exalted type of wofn- anhood."
 "As chairman of the kindergarten com- mittee of the State Federation of Clubs, I know you are in position to inform me how the training schools and the kindergarten are maintained. Is 1t tn ough the clubs ?" I asked.
 '"Thc clubs do not support any one kindergarten, but donate to many" re- piled Mrs. Phillips. "Of course, you know we are an educational, but not a charity, institution. The Cadmean club, the Shakespeare club, the Edgewood club, the Highland Book club and the Kennilworth assist us every year. I think, however, that when our clubwomen give more att tention to what the kindergarten repre- sents in the prevention of evil that 50 much of our time and energy are ex- pended upon, that our own money, as well as that of the state, will go toward helping it forward and that we will work harder and more enthusiastically to make the Free Kindergarten an intrega1 part of the public school system of Alabama" :"
 How long has the Birmingham kinder garten been in existence?" asked.
 ''Since January 8, 1899," was the re- sponse I've started in a vacant room at the Paul Hayne school, and we had one teacher, Miss Edith Woodruff, of Louis vile, and within a short time 50 pupils. Now we have 300 pupils and F members of the training school" said Mrs. Phillips proudly.
 And where are these kindergartens To- catedT' I inquired.
 Well, there is St. Mary's, Temple En- manuel, Paul Hayne, Ninth street, Ely ton, Ensley kindergarten and Norwood, which is cooperative with the Birming- ham kindergarten" replied Mrs. Phillips.
 1T think you have accomplished a splen- did work in these 10 years," remarked.
 We felt greatly pleased this winter when Miss Patty Hill of Louisville who is really the chief factor in southern kin dergarten work, was here and gave us many kind words of praise and encour- agement. It is a great incentive to do better and broader work when apprecia- tion is shown.'
 Yes, indeed; I always say that every pat on the back'-figuratively speaking helps every one of us and in this case I think it was merited," said I.
 Tt is just this" said Mrs. Phillips. There is an influence, a force in kind ergarten work that is stronger than the personnel of the most enthusiastic work CTS for it. This appeals to the hearts of the people, the men and the women who wish to develop the highest that is in the individual and to make the child a worker in the service of man and God.
 "So the whole situation may be summed up in few words, namely, If the kinder garten Is to use this influence in a com munity for the prevention of criminality for the uplift of humanity, to prevent the existence of the submerged tenth and the giving to future generations bet ter and nobler ancestors, so that the fear ful cry of heredity may not bring awe to our souls, each person must ask in his or her own heart. Does it payT And upon the answer depends largely the suc- cess of our free kindergartens."
 
 even when we are touched by sorrow the sense of humor comes again to make us