The Arizona sentinel., 1909-01-21
Arizona Federation of
 W0men'S Clubs.

community Tn C0olr oUOrCS to make tn
 occasion a notable one, and that the
 succeeded in advance of all expectatio
 is beyond the shadow of doubt.
 The city was in gala attire for tn
 entire week. Business houses all alon
 Main street were decorated with clu
 colors, emblems and palms. The con
 vention halls were bowers of ferns an
 flowers and both the Eagles Hall an,
 Yuma Theater were donated for th
 use of the convention. The liver.
 stables furnished carriages and auto 1 for drive through the valley, and
 trip WAS arranged to Laguna Dam
 when the party was accompanied by L
 c. Hill, supervising engineer of th' Reclamation Service and Project En gineer Sellew.
 Mrs. Joshiah Cowles of Los Angeles
 vice president of the general federation of women's clubs, was the guest ot
 honor of the convention and her charm ing and distinguished presence added
 largely to the intellectual treat of the
 week.
 Bishop Thomas !. Conaty, one of the most eloquent and inspiring orators ot America, came from Los Angeles tC make an address in response to an invi tation from the president of the Arizo' na federation, Mrs. Thomas J. Pugh, of Yuma.
 The convention was opened Tuesday morning with addresses of welcome fol lowing beautiful invocation by Rev. George Selby of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Yuma. The choice of Mir. Selby for this honor was peculiarly happy one, as he is well known and be- loved in many Arizona cities and many of the delegates greeted in him an old friend.
 Hon. w. F. Timmons welcomed the ladies on behalf of the city, and the Commercial Club extended welcome through it's popular secretary, c. H. Colman.
 Mrs. Robert Stitt. of the valley, in a few we'll chosen and gracious words cordially greeted the visiting delegates for the Yuma club women. She touched upon the intelligent and moral influence wielded by organized efforts of women, especially in this section of America. "rhe wild west is fading into history, because the women have hitcIIed their chariot to a star and the procession fol- lows"
 Mrs. Cowles, the first vice president of the G. F. w. C., who was seated at the right of Mrs. Pugh, made the re- sponse to these speeches most informally and delightfully."-, She brought greet ings she said from 500, 900 women of the general federation, who are united in municipal and home problems for the sake of bettering conditions. She brought especial greetings from the federation in California, saying: We are glad to have for neighbors, people who are endeavoring to build up good citizenship in our country"
 The annual report of federation president is always an important mes- sage. Mrs. Pugh is woman who knows whereof she speaks, and her message had purport of more than ordinary value.
 Mrs. Kibbey, wife of Ariyona's popu- lar executive, was unable to he present on account of ill health, but she for warded a most important report from the Phoenix Woman's Club, of which she is president.
 PAPERS BEFORE CONVENTION.
 Two papers before the convention carried great weight and appreciation, both written by Yuma women. Utter opposities, both were eagerly demand ed by the press for publication in en- tirety because of the community inter. ested in the topics which were handled with characteristic success by their writers.
 Miss Anna Eagan. the efficient super of the Fort Yuma Indian School and special agent for the reser- vatIon. told of how the Indian himself was solving the Indian Problem.
 "Yuma's First Christmas Tree, !" was the historical subject of a delightful re- by Miss Mary Post, pio- 1eer school teacher of Yuma, who has had an influence for good on the char acter of the children and the children's of half the population of this ;ity. She is greatly beloved by all and per charming story of the first Christ mas in Yuma-that was the real thing, was ordered placed in the reciprocity bureau of the federation as a valuable reference paper when the time comes Or Arizona history no longer to be learsay.
 Mrs. Cowles addressed the convention 1n Federation, Past, Present and Future," Thursday morning, She is of active and magnetic force. She stimulates and inspires all who come in contact with her rich personal ty to larger and broader efforts. She S built on universal lines and her ad- lress sparkled with life and vigor. It S said that Mrs. Cowles will be prom nent and probably successful nominee