The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1920-07-08
General Federation
Of WOmen's Clubs at
DeS Monies, IOaca

The Biennial Conference Of Genera
Federation Of Women's Clubs which
was held in Des Moines, June 1928
was filed with interesting things from
start to finish. From the great re-
ception, held the first evening at the
state Capitol, to the Presidents even
ing the 23rd, every minute was re-
plete with good things. Too many
good things it almost seemed-for one
wanted to be in half dozen places
at one time. It was like q three
ringed circus-and then some. One
had, to pick and choose the things
most desired, and even, at that, was
not able to avoid mental Indigestion.
Among the noted speakers were Mrs.
Kate Epson Clark, Governor Hard
ing, Mrs. Pennybacker, DR.. Andrew c..
Mclaughlin, Jane Adams, Hon. Hor-
ace Mann Towner, Allen D. Albert
and many others.
All sessions were presided over by
Mrs. Josiah Evans Cowles, president
Of the G. F. w. C. and Mrs. Georgia
Bacon, first vice president, and Ms.
Thos. Winter, second vice president,
and the business meetings were models
Of good usage-each executive show
ing a knowledge of parliamentary
procedure that was joy to alN those
who like to see business conducted
in business like way, Reports Of
the work of the various departments
along which the work of Women's
Clubs extend and business took up
the forenoons. These departments
include art, music, civics, home eco
Monies, literature and library extern
sion, public health, conservation,
thrift, Americanization,N community
service, legislature, social and indus
trial conditions, publicity, educatio..
The afternoons were filled with con-
ferences along these lines, many
splendid addresses being given and the
various plans for work explained, lit
eratures given out and discussions
clearing the atmosphere.
The evenings were given over to ad-
dresses by men and women of nations
al fame, three topics being particu-
larly stressed: AUGMENTATION,
thrift and community service.
The music Of all the convention
meetings was a special feature. The
song leaders were Kenneth s. Clark,
Godfrey O'Hara, Frances Elliott
Clark, Hollis Edison Davenny and
Holmes Cooper.
Marx Oberndorfer was official ac-
companist.
A thrift song, "Save up your PEN
MES and your nickels and your dimes
and your dollars will save themselves"
composed for the convention bylGeof-
frey O'Hara, was taught to the dele
gates by the composer and it made a
great hit. Another song, on COM
munity service, was favorite: "Let's
get together, work together, play to-
gether, pull together and make good
place for ALL" made the old coliseum
ring.
1911 delegates and hundreds of Wis
itors were present from every state
in the union and from Canada and
China. The Shanghai Woman's Club
extended an invitation for the next
Biennial meeting, as also did Chicago.
The attempt to revise the constitu-
ton so that membership in the G. F.
w. C. would consist only of state fed
erations, excluding the individual
clubs, was voted down. Many import
ant resolutions bearing on questions
Of national import were passed. They
endorsed the Smith Towner bill, for
establishing federal bureau of edu-
cation; the Barley smis-branding act,
"the pure food law" for fabrics; the
Sheppard Towner bill for maternity
and infancy insurance; the Fess bill,
for larger funds for home economics
training; the Newlands river regula-
ton bill. They condemned as unnec-
essary, unwomanly and unhygienic
the use Of tobacco by women; urged |.
propaganda against the sale of cigar
cites to minors; protested against the
zoning system ,of magazines; urged
occupational therapy in state schools;
asked the American Bar Association,
to fran uniform marriage laws.
Forty Of the G. F. w. C. Overseas
unit were in attendance and were Civ
en- special decoration by the Fedora
ton.
Special interest conferred around the
election-especially the Presidency
Massachusetts presenting Miss Geor-
gia Bacon, first vice president of the
G. F. w. C.,also the Chairman of
Thrift; and Minnesota presenting Mrs.
Thomas G. Winter, second vice presi-
dent Of the G. F. w. c., Chairman
of the Americanization department.
The Australian system Of balloting
was in vogue. Mrs. Winter was
elected by much larger majority
than her supporters dared to believe
would be possible, as Miss Bacon is
q splendid executive and had large
following.
One Of the most striking things at
Biennial was the pageant held ct the
Golf and Country Club. 1t was call
ed "The Festival Of Indian Corn
and It'd the STORY Of the physical,
spiritual and cultural growth Of Iowa.
The final triumph Of the Indian corn,
after she has helped develop the state,
art, verse, and community life, comes
in the late war, when little children
from all over the world, starved and
dazed with suffering, come toward her
altar. Iowa gives and gives again
until the little children cast OF their
tattered garments and dance forth,
full Of hope and happy strength once
more. TX 81 64I
Des Moines proved to- be very
hospitable city, the weather, after the
no Hat - ktsA u