Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-19


cooperation exists.
with regard to the new work, 1t is
my preference to first make suggestions
rather than recommendations which
may call for formal action by the con-
ventiOn.
q Suggestions Offered.
II would suggest that patriotic day
take the place of federation day
which many clubs observe. Federation
items may wisely be included. but other
subjects of interest and values regard
ing Iowa should receive attention. This
suggestion comes from the resource
full home economics chairman, and ia
the outgrowth Of the work suggested
by the Greater Iowa Association.
II would suggest that efforts be made
both for increased vocational educa-
ton and increased educational advant-
ages for the country boys and girls
in stock raising. grain producing, that
their sons and~ daughters are less well
equipped with schools than should be
tolerated in a new and poverty
stricken state. Even the financial aid
offered by the state does not induce
him to consolidate or otherwise i'm
prove his schools in buildings, equip
ment or teachers. Here is a country
school six miles from Red Oak 1t is
surrounded by land valued at $175 to
5000 per acre. The school yard is UNI
enced, without walks or trees within
the yard. There Is no lock on the
door, five or six window panes missing.
The building Is sealed inside, but UNI
plastered. The chimney leaked a gen.
erous supply Of SCOT over the floor.
/ Their luxury was cyclone cave which
has never yet, been needed.
Here is another in Black Hawk
county. dilapidated, dirty inside, out
side, with long sagging stove pipe.
A good farmer, said my narrator.
wouldn't house his best cattle in it..
One trustee wished to paint it inside;
the other objected saying taxes were
high-the repairs would have cost SO.
Inspiration may be gained, an educa-
ton may be received even in . such
surroundings, but the chance for this
result Is better If farm houses and
lands, and the country school houses
are not in strong contrast with each
other. Otherwise, the boy and girl
must attach the less importance to the
school.
1T may be less distressing-tho it
should not be-if we know that Illinois
is similarly situated. After a little
talk on consolidated schools at dis
trict meeting, an inquiry came from
Bloomington, ILL.,, about Iowas
country schools. 1t was pleas
ant to say we had sixty or
more consolidated districts. The gen.
| tlemans reply was that Iowa was
| ahead of Illinois, that their country
| school conditions had not changed for
| forty years. Thur the leaven of the
work of President Seerley, we hope
that this record may be greatly i'm
proved. I would suggest that the ed
ucational committee work with and
| thru President Seerley if such should
be his pleasure
Il recommend that the legislation
| committee be strengthened in organi-
zation and power. We all agree that
| extreme care be exercised with re-
posed bills. When a critical situation
| recommend is not delegated to any one
under our present arrangement
| Women's influences in Legislation.
This item came indirectly to me
during this winters sessions. 1t was
in a letter written by the secretary of a
state senator. 1t said with regard to a
bill-a perfectly proper one-'Can you
not get q resolution-or recommends
] ton from your woman's club, and from
the state federation? You would be
surprised, said the note, how these
| things count. The federation found
that there was more than one kind
| of surprise! But If these things mean
ing us-do count, and II their count
ing increases, It should mean that
great discrimination and restraint be
exercised IN our Recommendations. The
scope Of work of this committee has
! never been defined. and 1t needs to be.
Il recommend that If its services
are desired, the Iowa Federation aid in
establishing Child Welfare Research
Station. .7s S. C. & = 81
Each administration Of the Iowa
Federation has keynote which it has
endeavored to sound to secure the at
tention and the consideration of club
| women. The ideals Of the early days
of the federation have been realized
They were the founding Of libraries
helps to club study, organizing of civic
work and similar efforts, which are
now well established. Concentration
on a few points during each biennial
period passes by many important op-
portunities, but it produces ultimately
more gratifying results. These themes
Of the talks given to club women thru
their district meeting have been few
during these past two years. I still
desire to emphasize their Importance
They are the need of education in home
making for women and girls; the need
of education for women in prepare
tons for their duties as a citizen, no, a
voter-on the moral side of economic
questions.
To oneawho does not know the sit
uation it would appear in the highest
degree absurd to express an opinion
favoring so plain proposition as a