The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-04-09


women, whether members of the general
federation or state federation or merely
local clubs, are striving with tireless
energy and by the most practical meth
DDS available to secure reforms in mat
tiers that vitality affect the home and the
state.
1t is natural that wOman's deepest and
dearest interest should center about the
children and the home, and so the first
and greatest work of club women is to
J secure first the enactment and then the
enforcement Of laws to ensure the phys
ical and moral wl!-bcing of the child.
Child labor laws, age Of consent laws,
laws affecting the hygiene OF schools,
factories and homes, municipal establish
ment OF parks and play grounds, and
many other similar laws and reforms in
idcate the extent and kind Of work be
ing done along this lire.
Laws relating to civic improvement,
the cleaning up Of towns and cities, the
improvement OF streets and pavcmcl1ts,
the inspection Of factories and places
where women work, and general by
giene, are illustrations Of another broad
field i'll which the clubs are working.
Laws for the conservation of our nat
ural resources, the protection of the for
csts, Improvement OF waterways ard
great political questions such as those
which relate to taxation, and to other
great problems Of government are en-
gaging the best thought and effort OF
the bralnlest men OF the age
The effect upon the future social and
political structure Of our institutions
which will result from the large inVaS-
ion by women into these comparatively
new fields, presents most interesting
question for the soclolog1st.
Whether it will be good or bad, will
be answered according to the points OF
view OF individuals, but that the condl-
ton exists and that the scope OF Wom-
ans work and influence will continue to
grow wider and broader, are beyond
dispute.
In the words of a great American
statesman, 1t is a condition and not
theory which confronts us.
! There is one fundamental fact, how
ever, full Of bright prophecies for the
future to which attention may be direct
ed i'll this connection, and that IS, III all
of these great lines OF work the women
are striving with mind and heart and
body to upllft society and to strengthen
our civilization.
You will look in vain for any organl-
zation Of the women OF this country
which seeks to accomplish anything
which will lower the moral Or physical
standards or impair the social status OF
the people. The saloon, the gambling
house, and kindred institutions, find no
champion anywhere among the "ol'leil ;
Clubs.
coming now 10 a consideration ol os''
own federation ana OF It's WORK loI INC
past year. l tiiilih l iil"y ''.lely i'Pol
progress. "hile our gam III numbers
mas not Deen great 1t y 9dle ~ Say ''id'
spirit. OF harmony anu d coliipie'e unity
OF purpose mas CllaIacteIlIeu 'lie "olN
OF the 1ederatlon curing tle past yedl'
we nave not Jagged OeIlniu our 'l''elS
OF otheI states el'iiel III ''ie 'ii'i f'o'I'
| ole WORK undertaken OF tlle ellolI0 iliau0
10 accomplish It.
FIRST among the tiliiiso d00oii.pii9i.eu
by the 1ederatloh l iiieiltloH Win piiue
the defeat OF the eHor' olCld'eu by sen
iSh interests 10 SO alile'lu tue ei!lu i"poi
ia" as 10 waterway "eaNei It III 'he
STATE le oluO "oiiiei' u i1'''9'S
were uhlted III TINS great "oiN' anu 'iie
li'ilueiise oiousii'1'o O."h upon 'iie ,,ioili
Dels u us N'eiiel d 1e9'e,iiDiS ~ ''iNlIi'
''l iNli'siy uei''0l'''i '''N>l ''-~'i p"''
And while the federation may take
Dride because of its success IN this re-