Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-23
Miss Wilson Lectures
on Social Center Work
Before Federated Clubs

An address by Miss Margaret Wilson
featured the late afternoon session OF
the General Federation of Women's
Clubs yesterday. 1t was delivered dur
ing the discussion among chairmen OF
federation departments on various sub
jects relating to the federation's work.
The topic before the conference was:
"In how many departments would the
successful establishment of social CEN
tiers be Of vital help?"
Mrs. Goldberg spoke Of the good accom-
plished by the establishment Of social
centers in school houses, where the boys
and girls were taught handicraft by
teachers Who were glad to do it without
pay after their regular hours. She con-
cluded by declaring that the social CEN
ter work could be helped great deal by
Miss Wilson, and called upon her to ad-
dress the conference.
IT think social centers would be great
help to the federation" Miss Wilson said.
"Where they are put in the federation
work / think the federation will help
them, and they will aid the federation.
don't think that the social centers are
the panacea for all the evils existing in
society. However, we ourselves must
solve the problems furnished us by So
ciety. We must, not leave them to be
solved by the special interests. for they
nave Otner ana greater lHliSs. we fnuSt
get together. People who are organized.
while they cannot do everything about
all subjects. can accomplish great deal.
Experts to Present Subjects.
1--WE can have the experts present the
subjects relating to social center work
in the schoolhosses. This would be very
helpful Then I think we also need Or
ganization in the communities.
And Of course, we want to have say
in politics. don't we?' This remark of
Miss Wilson was greeted with applause.
which lasted for some time. In conclu-
sion, Miss Wilson declared that the social
centers can, in her opinion, do wonderful
good in the various communities, and she
urged the federation to give earnest Con-
sideratiOn to 1t.
Much Of the discussion during the aft
ernoon session related to methods of ex-
tending the federation work. AS the
present council has no authority to act
on any of the subjects before it, the mat
ters were dropped at the conclusion of
the time allowed for the discussion. No
votes were taken.
Mrs. Howard c. Warren. Princeton, N.
J.. when the subject, 1.-The Necessity of
state Federation Making Budgets for the
Year was up, outlined methods for keep
ing accounts. She urged women to keep
records of all their expenditures. and to
carry memorandum books with them SO
that they may jot down each expendi-
ture She concluded by declaring that
the adoption of a slogan, pockets for the
women" would be great help in teach
ing women to cut down on their expendi-
lures.
Efforts to interest all the people in art
We're explained by Mrs. Melville johnson,
chairman of the art department. in her
speech on art and Democracy" at the
night session In the National Museum.
1--WE are trying to establish country
where the people VIII have power, Mrs
Johnson said. I'VE are living in period
of democracy. We talk much Of life, lib
erty and the pursuit of happiness. The
f1rst two are all right. but l don't think
we have gone very far in the pursuit OF
| happiness. We are common. mean and
small generally In our pleasures Art Is
| for happiness and is one Of the legitimate
things which we ought to have for Hfe.'
Should Try to Do Good.
Mrs. Johnson declared that peopl.
should spend all of their time at work
and at play trying to do good. And while
doing good we ought In all our expression
of life try to be beautiful. Nature is a.
beautiful in our country as 1T is any
where else in the world"
! The speaker outlined the successful eff
forts in her home town to make the stud,
| of art part of the school work. She toll,
OF getting pictures and other examples o
art. one at a time, and placing them Ii
the schools, where they could be viewe'
and studied by the children. and wher
the children's parents could come AM
study them and meet the teachers. Tn
| art gallery is as necessary and as suita
/ HE for the school as are the laboratories
\ the gymnasium and other things. Sh
declared that they had been trying to ge
| this art into the schools SO that the chill
dren NAV have in them larger sources O
| happiness. After declaring that GU
| whole school system was built on tn
use of the book. she said there are man,
| things which cannot be spoken of ii
words. I'VE want our people In Americ
to know the language of paintings am
form and color" She urged the women
federation to bring as many beautiful
things to as many people as possible