Evening star., 1921-04-26
WOMEN COMMENCE
CONVENTION HERE
Mothers and Parent-Te
Associations Hear of Tre-
mendous Growth.

"eiCoilcu pS tHclT pTcsiueHl, MI o.
Milton T. Higgins of Massachusetts,,
delegates from practically every state
in the Union assembled for the open
ing of the twenty-fifth annual con-
vention of the National Congress OF
Mothers and Parent-Teacher Associa-
tions at the New Ebbitt Hotel today.
Mrs Higgins briefly outlined the
tremendous growth of the organiza-
ton in the past year. dwelt on the
splendid cooperation being extended
the association by civic bodies all
over the country, stressed the i'm
portance Of the non-sectarian aspects
now being fostered by all state presi-
dents. and predicted wonderful re-
suits for the year 1921.
FOLLOWING ten-minute reports from
many of the state presidents, in which
various membership committees in
closed figures. showing increases
running from 25 to 500 per cent dur
ing the past twelve months, the con-
Vention was turned over to a round
table conference. at which subjects
vital to all mothers were discussed in
detail.
Mrs. Isaac l. Hilles of Iowa pre-
sided and papers were read by DR..
Naleria Parker on Social Hygiene;
Mrs. c. E. Allen, Marriage Sanctity,"
and Mrs. F. W. Stevens, Home Eco
non;ics"
Attend Thrift Luncheon.
Later many of the delegates at
tended the thrift luncheon. held in
the hotel. when they were addressed
by Orren Lester. associate director
united savings section of the Treas
ury: Miss Katherine Howard of the
woman's division and Mrs. Ella
Caruthers Porter of Dallas. Tex. ma
tional chairman of the thrift commit
tee of the organization. who spoke on
the establishment of local banks in
her native state by children. She
said that more than $50 such institu-
tions had been started in the past
year.
At a conference of state leaders
west of the Mississippi. DR.. Jesse Rus
sell of California was elected tenn
porary chairman, and Miss Carolyn
Fargrave of Iowa secretary. After
the general session today a meeting
will be held when permanent officers
Will be elected and a tentative pro-
gram outlined for all workers in those
states of the section.
An important action taken today by
tfe national body was the condensing
of the more than twenty-five depart
ments into five great divisions. name
ly. home making. educational, pro-
gram. legislative and publicity
Memberxhop Totals 27S,7cI.
he - SoSoAcl IepOEIs dS r6dQ Oy
MRS. Hubert N. Rowell of California,
showed the total membership Of the
organization to be 27S.72l. with de-
S4742
Starting at /. O'Clock. a closed ses-
sion was held. at which voting deie-
gates only were admitted. Mrs. Or
willie T. Bright. presided, and a detailed
report of the parliamentarian. Mrs F.
'" stevens. on the revision of bylaws
was read.
During this session many of the visit
ors avaiied themselves of an opportunity
city.
A mass meeting will be held at the
Central High School tonight when the
principal speakers will be p. P. Ciax.
ton, federal commissioner Of educa-
ton; DR.. Frank Ballou, superintendent
OF schools in the District; Mrs. Giles
Scott Rafter. president of the District
Mothers Congress-, and Mrs. Higgins.
national president of the organisation.
\ feature Of the evening will be music
by the Central High School Orchestra
The invocation will be pronounced by
Rev. Alfred Harding. Bishop of wash
fi.gton.
President and Mrs. Harding will re-
ceive the delegates at the White House
tomorrow at 2:45 o'clock.
Late arrivals today included Mrs.
Frederick School of Philadelphia. for
mer national president and editor of
the Child Welfare Magazine, and Mrs.
James Gordon Batteile OF Columbus
Ohio.