Arizona republican., 1914-08-23

the first woman to persuade Euro pean governments to recognize WOm- en in an official capacity in connec : tion with the great international eX- position. As she said of this coun- have sent out searchlight and have discovered woman
 At that time I was sure that an organization of women not dedicated to any one cause, but serving all educational, cultural and ethical movements, would be of great value in extending the civilization of this country, then so much in the making. It was inevitable that the General Federation should be the organiza tion to which I would turn. It was organized already and well admins tered it included the clements suited for wide democracy as well as for mutual work; in word, it was adapted to the then period of de- velOpment of the club woma::..
 'I felt that the federation would go far and fast, but it would fall of it's own weight, unless the founda- tionS were strengthened. Three state federations already had been organ ized, pointing the way-Iowa, Maine and Massachusetts. During the four years of my presidency I literall; went up and down the country or ganizing state federations, and when I went out of office in 1898 thirty. one state federations were organized, affiliated with the General Fede-a- tion, which thus became a strong working force.
 The state federation form of or ganiZation has admirably suited it's purpose. The aims of each state are fairly identical. Thus all the clubs in the membership seek the best good of the whole. and, affiliated with the General Federation they conserve the broader outlook. The clubs of the large cities are in a class by them selves. The state federations are in troducing the city and country wom- en to each other, greatly to the ad- vantage of the former, who, to their surprise find this new viewpoint inn mensely enlarged.
 The splendid presidents who have succeeded me have added to and supplemented what was lacking to the organization. Mrs. Charlotte Elm erson Brown, kind and wise, laid safe the foundation. Mrs. Dennison, whose gracious charm won all hearts, cemented the bonds of union. Who that listened to her address at St. Louis can ever forget it? It was Tot mere a greeting to the federation than that of a statesman to his countrymen. Mrs. Decker's vivifying and inspiring administration fol lowed; then Mrs. Moore's broad out look on education, her steady poise and her almost superhuman wisdom, and the lady who reigns over us to- day is equal to this very great oc- casion.
 T shall speak of several things which in my opinion require some notice. First, and above all-avoid too much administration both in the general and the state Nothing so weighs down an organization as use less officers who make centers of in
 terest out of proportion to their ef- ficiency, and useless committees are equally harmful. If committee can not make good, drop it, and devote your energies to supporting one which does. . Names on a com mittee signify nothing unless the names stand for actual work. No matter how fine or seemingly power full is the person represented by the name. unless actively interested, he or she actually harms.
 Do not allow anything to become a precedent. It is easy to change a bylaw or a constitution, but prece- dent is unchangeable. The wise rule of two terms in office and away is a vital factor in the development of this great organization.
 "Endeavor in the state federation to unify and simplify your pro- grams, above all to make them demo- | cratic. Any federation is a failure which cannot make up its program from it's own members. It is be- coming more and more customary to ask specialists to speak at the (COntinued on Page Fiye)