Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-16
WOMAN'S PART IN
DEVELOPING CITY
Timely Paper Presented by
Mrs. G.. F. Roth at Meeting
Held in Moline.
FOR INDIVIDUAL EFFORT
Points to Results That May Be At
tanned by Members Accusing
Sentiment Of NeIehbor.

Mrs. George F. Roth. representing
the civic department OF the Woman S
club OF Rock Island, read a paper on
Individual Responsibility in Civic
Life" at the third OF the tri-city reel
procity meetings held last Tuesday
when the civic department OF the Mo
line woman's club entertained the de
partment members from the other two
cities. The paper is so well prepared
and contains so much that is pertinent
that il is here reproduced:
AS you know. the Rock Island
civic department is in it's infancy. We
are only a year old, are learning TO
take our first footsteps, and are also
beginning TO take notice.
Because we are in these early stages
OF development, ! feel that in repre-
sentfng our department ! am not quail
flied TO speak from any large expert
ence in actual work along civic lines.
Our meetings during the past year
have been OF much mutual benefit. We
are learning what II means for our
women TO work unselfishly and collect
lively for the good OF our city. In
word. We are beginning 10 develop
civic pride.
only through the effort and inter
est OF the Individual members Of any
organization can that body achieve
success. Therefore / have chosen TO
speak this afternoon on the individual
duty and responsibility in civic work.
There Is no service more truly pa
triotic than that OF making ones city a
better place TO live in. To give this
help means much self-sacrifice on the
part OF the individual II seems an
appalling task TO undertake a public
campaign OF civic education. and yet
this Is what We pledge ourselves 20 do
in Identifying ourselves with civic
work We cannot expect our chairman
and executive committee 20 assume all
the responsibility. The helpful and
enthusiastic cooperation Of each mem
Der Is needed.
In considering this matter We may
well ask ourselves these questions:
Is our attitude toward our department
officers thar OF encouragement and CO.
operation Are We always ready and
willing TO take part In the general dis
cussions. fearlessly expressing our
views when necessary. and never for
getting TO grant our fellow workers
the same privilege?
For a Common Cause.
"Oue group of club women have !
chosen this motto: In essentials. uni /
~; in nOn-essentials. diversity; in all 4
things. charity In performing our
civic duties we are each and all work !
ing for a common cause. that OF max
ing our city a better. cleaner and more
place 10 live In. Let US.
therefore. avoid all personalities and
De tolerant toward those who may
iiTer from us. thus maintaining the
harmony which Is so essential in an or
;anization.
Il read a story recently OF a society
n a little town. II had grown and
and eventually, in a spirit
4 philanthropy, established a public
eading room. A room was rented and
committee appointed 10 select the
All went well until they
Tere called upon to decide upon the
myth OF window curtains. Here the
ommittee hOpelessly split, since some
,anted long curtains and others IN
Isted upon short ones; and although
aIL EALS DAONEAAI III III fANNAAtAN
pms in support of its position, neither
ould give up. The difference devel-
ped into a rather heated discussion.
controversy followed, In which the
ltire membership became involved;
srsonalities were INDUCED in; the in
rest and attendance began TO wane
nd at the end OF the year there were :
D curtains. either long or short. at the
aiding room windows. for there was
D longer any reading room or any )
,ciety. ~
Il am going to describe a picture
hich was awarded a prize as best IL
strating the idea OF peace. At first
ance this picture imaged anything
II peace. Ut showed a tumultuous
.taract. roaring and fOundering over
Ige rocks. splashing into clouds OF
ray and descending In sheets OF rain
a dark and angry looking pool at
q base OF the fall. Why such a bl
cture. which seemed 10 typify tur- n
oil. noise and destruction. should be :
rarded the prize did not become evil -
Mt until a more careful study OF the =,
-ture was made Then IL was seen :.
AZ IN the branch OF a tree beside a,
E fall. but out OF harms way. a little