The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-02-23
St4,- vi 80 ~.
11, HAT H WOMEN
OF THE WORLD
lei ARE DOING >

Canadian women thought it 'ex-
Economics societies convention last
week Mrs. McE;wcn quote a dignatary
OF the United States as saying that the
women's institutes of Ontario were
model and ahead Of anything yet
evolved across the line" One hears so
much OF how things are done in the
republic to the south that it is refresh
in Canada" label attached. However.
the west has laid firm hold Of the On
tario model and Manitoba. Saskatche-
wan and Alberta are doing splendid
work along these lines and hid fair to
arrive shortly at a plane when they
vii! not need to look to any more es-
tabiished system for pointers. Sas-
concluded thet, annual conventions.
Saskatchewan his IS as against Mani
TOBIAS 1S sosiet.es, fi": ON the other
hand Manitoba has mucl, larger in
%dividual membership.
One definite piece OF work to which
the clubs are attaching themselves is
the establishing Of rest or club rooms
in their towns. Nirden has evolved
quite an elaborate system. II sounds
a little thing perhaps. but one just has
to live in h country once to realize
the boon it is to women on the farm
TO AVE some place tn go when they
reach town, where they may fasten up
the starry wisps Of hair, straightcn
their hats and set forth feeling al
peace with the world and themselves.
They may e get a cup Of hot tea
or bovril before starting on the long
drive home. Then it relieves them
from the real trial of having to hang
around the store or postofficc till the
rig is ready"
incidentally it is a pleasant place
for the town women to drop in for q
cup of tea OF a chat.
1t is right on this social side that
the clubs are doing their big work and
right here. too, that their chicfest
mission lies.
OF course there is the educational
phase and the getting new ideas and
new ways Of doing things is a great
help. but the largest portion Of the
inspiration and incentive to action
comes from the sympathetic contact
and friendly rivalry with others. lso-
lation is the danger which threatens
the Home Economic societies and
Home Makers clubs will do much to
overcome this.
Murh emphasis was given at the
Manitoba convention to the warning
that the clubs must not discuss con-
trovcrsial subjects such as religion and
politics. The point was Very wisely
taken though. perhaps the women
might have been allowed to evolve
must be taken in the sense of party
politics. for surely questions which ef-
feet the who'll country or the empire
might be If not discussed at least OK
planned. Then there arc Worldwide
questions. Farm life especially on the
broad prairtes should not he narrow
ing. but Just as certainly it is unless
precautions are taken. [ listened to
the reports of the eighteen Manitoba
societies and splendid reports they
were, but not II made mention Of A
current events half-hour at their
meeting. Home Economics and agri-
cultural societies are teaching the
brotherhood Of the neighborhood. why
not go further and at least give a
race:
Since the incoming Of the present
Democratic administration in Indiana.
three Years ago. a woman's work has
heen somewhat noticeable In the con-
servation which was
brought about through the appoint
son Of kokomo. Ind. to direct the su-
pervision of the rivers and harbors.
Mrs. Patterson is a woman who has
long been In the public eye in the cen
trail west as a naturalist. lecturer, au-
thor and playwright. She is we'll
known az the author of "Dickey
Downey." 'Riddy Among the Yam
Der Of successful plays and has been
identified with many lines of public
endeavor for many years. AS the
daughter of the late Senator Sharpe of
Maryland, a prominent Democrat Of
the early days. her political sympa-
thies have always been with that ma
tional party and her present appoint
Democratic governor of Indiana in
sixteen years. was only natural as she
Is one of the most eminent women in
the hoosicr state. During her term OF
office in the last three years. Mrs. Pat
terson has done much to awaken a
keen interest in h conservation of
the water OF Indiana. Her
ping the state waterways. the i'm
provement of municipal water fronts
and thus adding to the property value.
has attracted such favorable notice to
her work that she was recently called
to New York to tell about what Is in
line for accomplishment in the coun-
try in that way. At Lake C~hautauqua,
~ AS 1uSt SuiIItikCAr SuS gave du az.
count of her work in the rivers and
harbors movement and of her activi-
ties in behalf of the preservation of
the birds and forests and the bird
house campaign which she has so sue
cessfully started in Indiana. Among
the several important problems in
which her Office gives her active inter-
est is the proposed TT. Wayne canal,
the projected way which will eventual
~ connec the lakes and make a
shorter route between Chicago and
the Atlantic coast. While future cleo
tons may bring about a change of po-
litical complexion in Indiana so that
Mrs. Patterson may not he active at
the completion of the great undertake
ing. it will Vet be interesting to re-
member in years to come that a wom-
ans influence was used in urging a
proposition Of such magnitude that
will virtually make a seaport of Chi
cago M connect the gigantic body of
Lake Michigan with the Maulnee river
at TT. Wayne, which in turn empties
in Lake Erie. thus making a direct
water passage between these great
lakes and cutting off superfluous wa