Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-06

learn about its political problems, its
economic conditions and its cultural
life by first-hand experience" she con-
tinued.
THE seminar was attended this Sum-
mer by IS Americans, among Whom
were several specialists on Lattn-Ame
lea, such as william Franklin SANDS,
former American charge d'affalres IN
| Mexico and Guatemala; DR.. Charles
| Fenwick of Bryn Mawr College and DR..
| Frederick Rippy OF Duke University:
Those of us who attended it had the
! rare opportunity of learning about Mex
| leo on the spot Our life was both in
teyesting and varied-lectures four days
a|Week, trips outside of Mexico City on
Wednesdays and over the week ends.
The lecturers were among theaAnost dis
tinguished men In Mexico today, gov
eminent officials, such as the president
of the Bank of Mexico the secretary OF
agriculture, and the undersecretary Of
education, and also men who are proni-
nent for other reasons, such as Diego
Rivera, the leading Mexican painter,
and Chavez, the leading composer and
. conductor of the national symphony or
chestra. Such men were, of course,
emnently qualified to explain to us the
various aspects of preSent-day Mexico,
its economic problems, its educational
problems and the meaning of the very
distinctive Mexican art.
Our week end excursions took us far
afield, into the back country regions,
which have never seen a railroad or a
well-paved motor road; into little, out
of-the-Way Indian communities of floor
less adobe hUtS and barefoot peasants,
many of whom could not even speak
Spanish. We visited numerous rural
schools, and spent one whole day as
the guests of one tiny village. In this
way we were able to get an understand
ing Of the fundamentally Indian char
acter OF the country such as we never
could have got tourist fashion, from the
windows of railroad train.
The opportunity to attend was, how
ever. most valuable, and I have come
back persuaded that a Summer in Mex
leo is not only far more interesting and
stimulating. but also cooler and more
enjoyable than Summer in Europe"
x 81
DAUGHTERS Of the American
~ Revolution are rejoicing in the ac-
compltShment of financial feat which
they have been told by those in charge
of the erection of their new buildings. >,
remains unparalleled in the history of
local business. When their building,
which in all will cost about $l,500,000,
was completed to thu million-dollar
mark, every cent of the expense to
that point was paid in full-no trusts
End no unpaid contractors or builders
bills. For the final finishing work
loan was necessary to make up the
additional $500,000 needed. but even
with this loan, it is reported. the build
ing will be much less incumbered than
most structures of its type.
The daughters feel that they are now
reaping the reward of many hours of
work at bazaars, rummage sales. benefit
card parties and all of the MANY &C
tivities as result of which much Of the
huge sum was raised which made pos
Sibie the much needed addition to
their headquarters unit.
Many donations have added their bit
to the million. too, the majority OF
which have represented real personal
sacrifices on the part of the donors.
Another item which adds to the value
of the new hall in the eyes of the
members and friends of the society.
We feel it is just as we'll that there
is some portion of the needed sum
yet to be raised" said one of the ccm-
naittee chairmen at a meeting of the
publicity committee heads of all Dis
trict OF Columbia chapters the past
week. 1T will give the next genera
ton a splendid goal toward which to
work and will increase for them the
value of the beautiful buildings in
which we have our national head