The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-07-08

Ing the Canning CLUB demonstration
recently held here. The improvement
committee has been handicapped in
their work this spring on account of
the street paving. but continues to
look after certain plots. Plant Day
was held in April. 1t Is a source of
regret that the Children's Garden Con-
test. heretr 'ore conducted by this
c, - has been abandoned this
y >... to the lack of interest
shown last season both by those enter
ing the contest, and by those whose
duty 1t was to look after the gardens
during the summer and to report at
the fall meeting. would recommend
another year that this branch be re-
sumed under different section of
management as it is very important
one and should bring rich returns.
We have made our usual contribu-
ton OF $40 to the Winthrop scholar
ship fund and although we had paid
our portion OF the endowment fund OF
the Federation. we augmented 1t
with $3.50 to aid in making up the
amount stiil due. Public confidence in
our work has been shown repeatedly
during the past year. When we de-
cfded to raise the salary Of our nurse
In order to retain her services, City
Council came 20 our assistance with a
monthly appropriation OF $500. The
Wreck Store kindly gave us per cent.
on all cash purchases In the store Tor
one day and we realized $500. A
gift OF $2o.44 surplus from the Bob
Jones fund was turned over to us; also
$4.s4 from Furman & Co. OF New
York through the Sumter Clothing
Co.. Through the kindness OF Mr..
Miller of the Rex Theatre. we made
$35.00 for the library fund. e
BY the timely. aid Of three of our
public spirited citizens. who contrihut-
ed $2b.o0 each. we are able to operate
the play grounds for the season. and
last but not least we Acknowledge
gift of $4,000 from Mr.. H. ]. HARDY,
the interest from which ts to be used
for charitable purposes. wo. have
usedS$sS.QQ. Of this money this year I'm
Rrovidipg. bread and, milk. lunches
daily. for undernourished school chill
dren. and their teachers. assure us
that there Is a marked Improvement
both in their Physical condition and
their ability to do better work. will
not close the list Of our benefactors
without mentioning with gratitude the
|contipued kindness Of The Daily Item,
the columns Of which are ever open to
ua aRd service OF. which 10 invaluable.
Before closing this report / would
|recQnWendA that the members Of the
league wake up to their duties as
members. and realize the responsible
ties resting upon them as citizens and
homemakers; realize that there ia 80
much to be done. In so many ways, IL
we would only take advantage of the
opportunities about US. and help to
make our town and community the
very best place in which to live. We
are not lacking in intelligence, we are
not wanting In ambition or pride, and
we appreciate and, enjoy the good
and beautiful things Of life when they
are bestowed upon us. But what we
do lack woefully, is concerted action,
team work. unity Of purpose, the
surest and quickest way to success. Let
US adopt motto like that OF our own
great nation: In union there Is
strength" When work such as we
have undertaken to do falls upon a
lew. 1t rests heavily, and goes slowly,
and truly our work has grown to
such proportions that your president,
supported by faithful few, cannot
DO It Justice. She wants the keynote
OF this message to be a plea for bet
ter support and cooperation. Though
the work may. come under the head of
public service. 1t none the less has to
do with our private lives directly.
when we make our city beautiful we
create JOY for now and all time. In
looking after the sanitation we pre-
serve the health of one another.
when We provide public library, we
furnish one of the greatest factors for
uplift.
Tne Children's Play Grounds affords
a meeting place for hundreds of little
ones through the long vacation DAYS
where they are given the benefit of
weii directed play. 1t has been said.
ana believe truly. that when there Is
q sunicient number of play grounds
there will be no need of juvenile
oo"r's. from an economic standpoint