Evening star., 1915-12-28
Marquis of Aberdeen and Lady
Aberdeen Are Guests at
18th Annual Convention.
CONDITIONS IN IRELAND
DESCRIBED BY FORMER
General Federation of Women's
Clubs Asks Aid in Bettering Con-
ditions in Rural Schools.


Temir, former Governor General of
Canada and Viceroy of ireland. and Lady
Aberdeen in attendance as honored guests,
the American Civic Association met at the
New Willard Hotel today for its eleventh
annual convention
The morning session was devoted to
greetings from representatives of allied
organizations and to an address by the
Marquis of Aberdeen and the convention
will not get down to its real business un-
TIL tonight. when there will be held a
session devoted to matters pertaining
to the national parks
The Marquis of Aberdeen told of ths
movement for civic betterment in Ire
land and of the great civic exposition
which had been in progress in Dublic
for short time when it was inter-
rupted by the outbreak of the European
war. He mentioned the visit made to
the exposition by DR.. John Nolen, vice
president of the American Civic Asso-
citation.
Pays Tribute to Association.
"Some people of foreign lands be-
lieve the population of the United
States is composed of two classes of
people: Those who make money and
those who spend it," said the marquis
But the people who believe so are
overlooking the fact that in the United
States there are many people who also
are interested in making better men,
making better mankind.
THE American Civic Association is an
organization of just such people; one
that is devoted to the betterment of
American living conditions" He ac-
credited the association with improv-'
ing the standard of living of all classes
in America.
OF the greetings extended on behalf
of allied organizations, none was heard
with greater interest nor did any create
deeper impression than that extended
by the General Federation of Women's
Clubs, through its president, Mrs. Percy
V. Pennybacker of Austin, Tex Mrs
Pennybacker asked the American Civic
Federation to aid the organization of
which she is president in it's efforts
to better conditions in the rural schools
of the United States The chief trou-
BILE. she said, lies with the teachers
more than so per cent of those en-
ployed in rural schools changing every
year.
The teachers, however, should not be
blamed, said Mrs. Pennybacker. The
conditions under which they are forced
to live is responsible for the trouble.
Their home life is such. said the speak
er, that they are not able to put forth
their best efforts in their schools.
Would Have Homes Adjoining.
Mrs. Pennybacker said that adjoin-
ing or nearby every rural school there
should be a teachers cottage or manse,
a comfortable little home correspond
ing to the parsonage that is furnished
a minister and his family. Here the
teacher could live amid surroundings
that would make her better able to
carry on her work. The idea of hav-
ing woman teachers live alone presents
no difficulties, said the speaker.
There are few woman school teach
ers who haven't a widowed mother, a
maiden aunt, a cousin her senior in
years, or some other relatives that
would willingly come to live with her
if a comfortable little home was pro-
vided," said Mrs. Pennybacker.
The movement for teachers cottages
is growing. said the speaker. Teach
ers cottages have been established in
countries of Europe for many years,
but only recently has an attempt been
made to follow the plan in this country.
In the state Of Washington there now
are 10S teachers cottages, and in Texas
also number have been provided.
Describes Conditions Found.
Mrs Pennybacker described condi-
tions found in the households where
woman teachers in rural communities
have been forced to live; actual occur
rences related and sworn to by these
teachers The impression which she
made on her audience was marked, for
at the end of her address there was
more than one tear-filled eye in the
room.
DIR. Henry Sturgis Drinker, president
of Lehigh University, extended greet
ings on behalf of the American For
estry Association, of which he is presi-
dent. DR.. Drinker outlined the for
estry movement. saying that forestry
means the keeping of trees uncut until
they mature and their timber is needed.
tural Association, Rev. A. H. Scott of
Perth, Canada, extended greetings.
Tonight's session, which will be held
in the small ballroom on the tenth
floor of the New Willard Hotel, will be
devoted to matters pertaining to the
national parks.
Addresses Listed Tonight.
Addresses are scheduled as follows:
The presidents ANIMAL address
What Shall We Do With Niagara ?'-
J. Horace Mcfarland, president Amer
lean Civic Association, Harrisburg, Pa.
National Parks and Preparedness"
Mr.. Enos Mills, chairman national
parks committee, Estes Park, Colorado.
Woman and Woodcraft." Mrs. John
Dickinson Sherman, chairman con-
servation committee, General Feder-
dtlou ol w oilieH NiupS, chicago, ILL.,
1.-The Needs of the National Parks"
Gilbert H. Grosvenor, director National
Geographic Society, Washington, D. c.
What Must Be Done for the Parks"
R. B. Marshall. general superintendent
national parks, Washington. D. C.
"A National Park Service, What 1t
Proposes" Richard B. Watrous. secre-
tary American Civic Association, Wash
ington, d. c.
Pictorial Glimpses of Our National
Parks" (motion pictures), Robert S.
Yard, Department of the Interior,