The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1914-10-30
friday October 80 1914

the leaders in knowing who is keeping
and conserving the lives in their
homes, it is just as vital in our small
towns. Having never lived in a small
town until recently, it is deeply borne
in upon my consciousness that it is a
liberal education in democracy at close
range.
First-Let US conserve the best in
the individual life.
Second-Let US conserve the best in
the home life.
Third-Do our schools in their edu-
eating develop and conserve the best
in the child life of the community
Is the school the real center OF the
community life?
How shall we through an interest in
Civics best conserve some of the vital
forces OF our community life2
Sometimes we hear it said, "Oh, in
little town like this we can't do any
thing" l am reminded of what Abra-
ham Lincoln as boy once said to his
father, 4 have thought something
wonderful. I have thought that l
have in me all that there is in any
great man." There is in every town
the possibility of the best that any
great city may have. Indeed, I be-
lieve it is easier for the women of our
towns to conserve the best in the life
OF our towns.
We need a great vision of perfect
town and community life, to bekon US
on from endeavor to accomplishment.
Always with Joy and hope and GER
tainty. knowing that it is true that all
things work together for good" when
folks work together for good"
Parallel with the vision OF perfect
community life, we need to study our
present conditions, get the real facts
tabulated. Then we can decide what
our town most needs. Know your
town" then Fulfill its needs"
What is the the condition OF our
public buildings. schools, markets,
bakeries, groceries, hospitals, streets,
alleys. roads, picture shows and public
institutions2
/. Investigate quietly, thoroughly.
q. Submit careful, written reports Of
your investigations to the club.
Seek in as quiet and kindly man
ner as possible to bring about needed
changes.
q. Cooperate with all the existing
movements towards an Ideal town"
Miss iona Gale, the story writer,
who has been chairman of the civic
committee for the General Federation
of Women's Clubs urges two lines OF
action:
First-The introduction of civic and
moral training into the public schools.
She says, Shall we let the children
leave school without having a definite
training for the civic responsibilities
involving the moral crises which life
will hold for them? This cannot be
LETT to chance training any more than
English or composition can be so left,
and which is more Important That
they shall have this civic and moral
training or that they shall be able to
name the exports Of foreign countries
and give the heights of the highest
mountain peaks1"
Part 8 of Social Forces" is given
over entirely to this subject.
Second: The opening of the pub
lie school for the assemblage of the
people TO talk over their common task
OF making better town, and the hold
ing OF these meetings regularly with
committees to look after the different
civic undertakings and to report to
meetings interested in
the common business.
Send to Olympia to the Office of the
superintendent Of education for the
THE Community Center"
by Mrs. Josephine Preston.
The following are suggestions which
our own State Civic Committee is send
ing throughout the state. Take them
and use those most applicable to your
own needs:
/. Arrange with your local papers
for a civic column. Through this
-, ad;,,yo tho raople could he bent in