Milford chronicle., 1913-09-26
ANNUAL REPORT OF
MRS. FREDERIC SCHOFF

Teacher Association, delivered at the an
nual convention of the association on
Nav 10th, 1913, at Copley Plaza Hotel,
BSston, Massachusetts
The year that is covered by this report
has been one of heavier work than ever
before, indicating the growth of this
great movement in the most convincing
manner.
Never has the general outlook been
brighter. Never have the States shown
gfeater activity, or as close a feeling of
unity in one great purpose.
At the last convention held in St. Louis,
the Missouri branch of the Congress was
formed by the National Congress.
AS a result of the visit of your presi-
dent to indianapolis, Indiana voted to
have a State branch, and very promis-
ing one has been organized. Through
the generosity of our Honorary Vice
President, Mrs. William T. Carter, Mrs.
Walter Leroy Smith has interested peo-
pie in different parts of New Hampshire,
so that State branch of the Congress
will be organized there May 1924.
There is no longer a branch of the Con-
gress in Louisiana For lack of leader
the branch there has disintegrated. Miss
Sophie Wright's death and long illness
preceding it caused long cessation OF ac-
tivity.
Mr.. w. N. Sheats, Superintendent of
Schools of Florida, is so deeply interested
in the Congress that he has accepted the
office of State Organizer for Florida, ard
we hope through his influence to build
up the organization of Parent Teacher
associations there.
The work in the South has greatly
missed the service that Mrs. Ray Rush
ton would have given as National Vice
President, had She not been stricken
with serious illness which resulted in
her death last March. There has been
no one who could promote the Congress
work there except as far as your presi-
dent could do it by correspondence. The
interest of Mrs. RushtOn never failed,
and even during her illness she wrote
offering her resignation so that the work
should not suffer by her inability 10 do it. |
beautiful mother, a large-hearted |
able leader has been called to wider helds |
of use, and so far no one has been found |
to carry the work she was doing.
Your president has during 1912-1913, |
visited the following places III the inter
est of the Mothers Congress New York /
many times; Washington many times;
Atlantic City twice; Lynn, Mass; AL
L
oils and Chicago twice: Malvern, Pa;
Harrisburg, Coatesville, Pittsburg, Get
tysburg, Pa; Rutland, Burlington and
Montpelier, Vt; Rochester, N. Y; New 4
Haven. Conn; East Orange, N. J.; Tren-
ton, N. J.. Milwaukee and Sheboygan,
Wis. Houston, Texas; Kansas City, Kan
sas; Kansas City, Mo-; Huntington, In
diana.
The most important trip of the past
year was taken in November, when your
president went from Wisconsin to Texas,
speaking at twelve meetings in six States,
in trip covering less than three weeks
This trip included important confer
ences on cooperation of the Congress
with other organizations. Such personal
touch is a grand stimulus, and the work |
needs it far more than it is possible to
give.
The Congress has no fund to meet the
presidents expenses, and all work of
this kind has been a voluntary contribu
ton on the part of the president, except
in very few instances where certain
states have met the expense.
The presence of a National officer at
State Conventions is very necessary for
the work, and should be made possible I
as often as may be.
The desire for information as to meth $
DDS that have proved successful the adj r
vice on many points, and the understand
ing of local needs is mutually helpful.
Though it has been impossible to meet e
personally our ever growing membership, {
the acquaintance by letter has brought
many new friends and workers to the P
Congress.
The correspondence of the president D
amounts to seven or eight thousand let l.
ters a year. The requests for special P
messages to States and to circles are L
many.
The Congress has made no provision P
ior the postage or other expenses. con- u
leoted with this important part of the Il
work and your president has met this
1t means in addition to the expense, Il
lose exacting work far beyond what
bOuld be required.
The Congress is large enough and Z
trong enough to-day to provide for more .
lelp fog the president, who has gladly u
giyen time and money while the Con-
yTess could not do it, but who feels now g
hat it is not Just to continue in the same u
way. The president should have an as P
istant who should be so well versed in
he details of the work that she could v
elieve the president of the over pressure
# work devolving on her now. n
OF OTHER coNvEN- fc
TIONS. h
The Congress has been represented at it
he Conservation Congress, the Religious
education Association, the international fl
Union, the international E
on Hygiene and Demography, N
he American Road Congress, the National
education Association, the National De- m
artment of Superintendence, the Amer til
IAN Peace Congress. it
CHANGE IN DEPARTMENT cHAIRMEN. Il
There have been several changes in M
department. Chairmen during the past bC
ear.
Mrs. Milton p Higgins resigned as 70
hartman of Mothers Literature when co
he accepted the State Presidency of &c
Mrs. Philander P. Clax gi
1n, Washington, d. c., was appointed
S chairman. Mrs Claxton's ten years