The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-20
q AM IMPRESSED WITH THE ENTHUSIASM
 ALBERT J. OCFISNER NATIONAL PRESIDENT
By DOLLY DALRYMPLE

XV7 FEN the National Federation of A/ Music clubs was getting ready ot w select president at the biennial in California last June, it was neces- sary to make a very judicious choice; s woman not only of wide culture ana a
 thorough knowledge of music must be chosen, but also one who possessed ex- ecutive ability-plus; a born leader in
 other words, a general; one who could
 lead her forces on to victory in a great
 and comprehensive movement.
 To Mrs Albert J. Ochsner the beau tiful compliment was paid of being
 chosen from. many as the president of
 this large and powerful organization, be- lievirig, as the members did. that she had every qualification necessary to ac- complsh what the National Federation had started out to accomplish. Those who have kept in touch with
 Mrs. Ochsner's work during the past II
 months-she has been president not quite a year-know that she has fulfilled every requirement. and more; it is generally conceded that she has done a splendid work, rallying about her those forces which have been most essential to the ultimate aims of the vast organization. Quoting Mrs. Ochsner:
 Indeed I have had a most difficult time living up to the reputation that friends I have achieved. not an easy thing to do, l assure you"
 Since Mrs. Ochsner's visit tn Birming-
 ham those who have had the pleasure of making her acquaintance have fully realized the tremendous power that she possesses; she is a woman of very at tractive personality; large souled large minded, cultured and accomplished. Her earn estness and genuineness in the pro- motion of the work of the National Fed eration is undoubtedly one of the great est factors in the progress the organi- zation has made during her presidency and her wide knowledge of people and
 things enables her to see far ahead in
 the upbuilding and best interests of the
 work.
 Mrs. Ochsner is the wife of one of Chi cago's most noted surgeons. and their
 home is the center of art and culture in that large and progressive city. Mrs Ochsner is affiliated with the Lakeview Music club of Chicago, and be- fore she became president of the Ma
 tional Federation of Music clubs, she
 was on the national board, serving as librarian; many a struggling young ar tist has blessed her as q. henefactress through the kind offices she has per- formed in assisting those who were un- able to make their initial bow to the musical world, to get an audience with the right people
 Mrs. Ochsner, in speaking of the meet ings of the State Federation of Music clubs here, at which she has been the honoreo guest during the past week, said:
 T have been greatly impressed with the enthusiasm /of Birmingham music ally; it is refreshing to see the splendid spirit of cooperation which character izes all those who are connected with the musical affairs of this city and state and it is most encoura ging''
 "The chief activity of the National
 Federation at present." Mrs. Ochsner
 continued" is the promotion of state or ganization-the most important thing that
 can be done in regard to our work have visited three states already-Wiscon- sin Michigan. and Alabama, in the in- terest of state organization, and I shall visit Pennsylvania, Iowa and others when I am called If by next year at the bi- ennial we have F or even 10 states fully organized, l shall feel amply rewarded for our work. I mean by that, ideally organized-organized like Alaama is or sanized. Up to a short time ago, only four music clubs in the state of Ala bama belanged to the National Federa-