The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-24
The Work of the General Sumter Chapter D. A. R.,
 For the Rural School Fund Worthy Enterprise
By DOLLY pALRYMPLE

C1OMEHoW when Mrs. R. H. Pearson n IS at the head of anything always
 " know that it is going to be sue cess; as a co-worker of mine said the
 other day:
 1 Isn't 1t nice when something comes up 1 in connection with Mrs Pearson and the
 splendid activities she is interested in, so
 we can write about her?'
 That expresses my idea exactly Mrs Pearson is one of the most beloved and
 most capable women in Brmingham; she 1 is always so unfeelingly kind about every thing; that's her great, big, generous, heart that speaks. and she's so clever. If Iyou've heard her talk about-well, any, thing, but especially about her trip to Honolulu, you'll never forget her No body has more delicious sense of humor; nobody goes so entirely out of the beaten path (my favorite sulphtic theory again as opposed to the unspeak- able bromide); nobody sees things from ia fresher and more original angle than this charming woman who as regent of the General Sumter chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, graces the position with sthe dignity and elegance which characterize her attitude toward everything
 When l asked Mrs. Pearson to tell me something about the work that the Daughters of the American Revolution
 have undertaken in Alabama for the
 rural school fund, and what progress had been made she said:
 Three years ago this work was begun; as matter of fact, it may be considered still in it's infancy, although we have
 made tremendous strides and a great deal has been accomplished True, it has been slow work, but equally true it has been sure work The annual card party that the General Sumter chapter gives, the proceeds from which go into a sepa- rate fund known as the rural school fuhd, of which Mrs J. Morgan Smith is the custodian, will take place this year on Saturday; February 10, at the Southern club. This is the only means we have of raising funds for the rural school work as our dues, which amount to g a year, really count for nothing, as $1 Igoes to congress, the other is divided
 for every possible thing that comes up" The Daughters of the American Revo- lution," Mrs. Pearson continued, fin Ala bama feel great pride in the work we are doing. We feel deeply humilated that Alabama should stand so low in ed- ucational circles; therefore our interest in the work. It is pitiful the conditions that are to Be met with in the rural dis tricts; in many instances old people people 50 and 70 years of age, go to school declaring that they would give nearly anything they possess if they could only learn to write their name. Could any, body feel anything but huniiated over such conditions? We have already in our treasury $500, and when we reach the sum of s10O0 the board of education, the county and the state in the district where a rural school is established will then give us assistance financially.
 What we are, endeavoring to do," Mrs Pearson said ifs to build two school rooms where there is now but one; to give the rural children $75-a-m month teacher instead of a sS5-a month teacher; in other words, to give them equipment. After this year, of course, compulsory education will obtain in Alabama, and if we provide the schools the children must
 attend them. Illiteracy among the whites is something terrific in our state, and nothing could be more pitiable than this ignorant condition. If we who are more fortunate do not turn our attention to alleyiating and ameliorating such con ditions, then who is to do so? The vari-
 ous chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution all over. the state have co-operated beautifully in the work for the rural school Fund and illiteracy among the whites, and I see no reason why in the near future we cannot inn prove materially the dreadful conditions that exist
 From a social standpoint" Mrs. Pear son said, "the annual card party is all ways anticipated with great pleasure, and
 I want to assure our friends and patrons that nothing will be left undone this year to make the event one of the most enjoyable that we've ever given. So in attending the Daughters of the Ameri- ican Revolution card party, just remem-
 Der that not only will our guests have