Woman's Monday Club Scrapbook

Page 5

MRS. G. R. SCOTT SUBMITS REPORT TO THE CITY FEDERATION

(Continued from Page 4)

One of the most interesting men speakers was Thomas Mott Osborne, he who did such wonderful reform work in Sing Sing prison, was removed upon all manner of trumped up political charges, has been found innocent of all but one which has not yet been investigated.  If this too, is dismissed, the Governor returns Mr. Osborne to his great work.  He told us something of what had been donetruly a message to prison workers of every state.  I can say here in the bosom of the family, that the men can not convey the forceful message of the women.  Why?  Because they are not enlisted so much with their hearts as women are.  I noticed this all through the programs.  Helen Boswell, who was our gust in Galveston and Lutie Stearns who has twice been a guest in Texas, both these were prominent.  Helen Boswell is chairman of Education committee and our Mrs. Maggie W. Barry made an excellent report of the Education Conference.  To mention women and men of interest were to pass into revied hundreds. 

Rural Planning.

            The Rural Planning idea is strong, and a subject vary vital to us in this section of Texas.  In a nutshel it is thisprovide good comfortable school building, where men, women and children can all promote their activities, have some attractive recreation ground, cultivate pride in home grounds, good roads, etc.in other words, plan for happy life in the country as well as in the city.  The Immigration idea, is well worth our understanding.  Not only have we the immigrant now, but we will have an influx as never before at the close of the war.  What shall we do by way of welcome?  Mrs. Pennybacker held conference with the head of the Immigration Bureau as well as the President, and this is the result, so far as club women’s co-operation is concerned.

            The Bureau registers the immigrant: in the meantime any club who will be interested in the work, has also registered with the Bureau at Washington.  It is ascertained where this immigrant family will settle.  At once work is sent that club.  The arrival finds the immigrant interviewed as to plans, religious affiliation, etc.  Assistance is given him to become nicely located and employed.  Encouragement for children to attend night school etc., anything which tends to “Americanize” this family.

            And now, my friends, while I have detained you long, the half has not been told.  I have not told you of our “Play Day” when we were escorted to literary shrines, patriotic West Point, Coney Island, or social service institutions: I have not told you of special courtesies shown the Texans; notably the luncheon by the Texas club and the reception on the battleship Texas, to say nothing of personal invitations.  I have not told you of the large receptions in which such women as Mrs. Edison and Mrs. O. H. P. Belmont were hostesses.  There is not time for anythin further than the bird’eye glimpse.  But I have tried to give you the spirit of the Biennial and its plan.  I might add, that, at the Armory, were all possible “bureaus,” one for each Federation committee, each local committee, etc.  From these we received all possible information, and literature upon all subjects.  It is these which give us the lasting benefit and information from the great Biennial.

            I will close by telling you that Mrs. Pennybacker is succeeded by Mrs. Josiah Evans Cowles of Californiaa woman of pleasing appearance, middle age very tactful, and of long experience.  She was the choice of the solid Texas delegation for this reasonfirst of all, she lives in a section of the country which needs development of club strengthNew Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and others.  Again, she headed the delegation which supported Mrs. Pennybacker, hence the law of reciprocity: still again, twice has California and once Oregon been hostess to the General Federation (Oregon the Council) and this election was but another reciprocal act.

            Two candidates only were presented and Texas feels that she chose wisely in casting her vote for Mrs. Cowles.

            And now may I say, that the very great privilege was mine to represent Corpus Christi in this great bodythis great thireenth Biennial of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, to me greatest force for service to this old world.  I thank you.

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City Federation of Women Covers Wide Scope Public Work

             With renewed energy, the City Federation of Women in the first meeting of the club year held in October, determined to redouble its efforts in civic beautification following the ravages of the hurricane of September 14.             

            Plans for providing roses and other plants in large amounts and at a nominal price are being looked into by the organization.

            The different departments of the organization are active and well organized monthly reports being made at each business meeting.

            A strong feature of the work of the women is their hearty co-operation with the city and county in matters pertaining to public health.  Juvenile work and civic beautification.

            The handsome sliver loving cup offered by the State Federation of Women’s Clubs for the most beautiful grounds and the best kept and most sanitary county courthouse and awarded three years in succession to Nueces county was received through the efforts of the City Federation of Women who entered the Nueces county courthouse in the contest.

            The several Parent-Teachers’ Associations in the city constitute one very active department of the organization.

            The George Evans school association has just purchased a handsome piano player and placed it in the school.  Last year they added a grafanola with educational records and other selections to the equipment of the school. 

            The Cheston L. Heath school through its Mothers’ Club has a fine piano and grafanola in the school. 

            The Edward Furman association is now having the entire building screened it order to make conditions more sanitary for the pupils.  Play ground equipment has been added year by year by the association and last year they rented a piano for the school.

            A visual instruction machine, a motor to propel it and an aluminized curtain for use with it was bought by the Central Association.

            David Hirsch Association maintains its organization although the school had to be closed after the storm.  The association had from time to time supplied and added to the play ground equipment, making it very attractive and interesting for the children.  They had purchased a piano and phonograph for the school.

            Staples street school association bought a small library and at the present time has a bank account.

            The officers and heads of the different departments of the federation are:

            Mrs. G. B. Scott, president:  Mrs. W. H. Griffin, vice-president:  Mrs. Forest Babcock, secretary:  Mrs. W. W. Jones, treasurer:  Mrs. Emmett L. Coleman, general chairman of the Parent-Teachers’ Association:  Mrs. William Gerhardt, humane department:  Mrs. Frank Tompkins, rural life:  Mrs. W. H. Griffin _______.

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Mrs. G. R. Scott Honored Here

Recognition Luncheon Is Held for Club Woman At Nueces Hotel.

            Glowing tributes were paid to Mrs. G. R. Scott by a large crowd of distinguished club women of the state and the city who assembled at a luncheon in her honor at the Nueces hotel at noon Monday.  Mrs. Scott was recently made a life member of the state board of the Texas Federation of Women’s clubs, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a member of the federation.

            A brilliant program, with speeches by women prominent in the club work of the nation as well as the state, followed the luncheon, each speaker paying tribute to the honoree in a special way.  Mrs. Frank A. Tompkins, of Corpus Christi, past vice president of the State Federation of Women’s clubs, introduced Mrs. Scott to the assembly, declaring that she knew of no one more deserving of the signal honor.

            “Mrs. Scott has, for 26 years, been a member of the State Federation of Women clubs, and has missed but one state convention,” said Mrs. Tompkins.  “Her years of membership in this organization have been marked by her devoted service, which she has given unstintedly.  She has responded to every task, however difficult, that has been assigned to her, and still has found time to brighten and sweeten the lives of the many women with who she has come in contact.”

            Mrs. Scott, in her response, looked back over the years, reviewing outstanding events, and told in her inimitable manner what the occasion meant to her.  At the conclusion of her talk, the table was banked high with floral tributes to her from the various clubs of the city and from numerous friends and out-of-town clubs.

            Special honor guests of the occasion, other than Mrs. Scott, were Mrs. Percy V. Pennybacker, of Austin, internationally known club woman and lecturer; Mrs. Sam J. Smith of Austin, president of the Fifth District of the Federated Women’s clubs; Mrs. R. E. Buchanan, of Fort Worth, past parliamentarian of the federation; Mrs. R. L. Browning, of El Paso, chairman of the State Scholarship and Loan committee; Mrs. Cecil Smith, of Sherman, life member of the State Board of the Federation of Women’s clubs; Mrs. Henry Redmond, of Corpus Christi, past president of the federation; Mrs. W. R. Potter, of Bowie, state president of the Federation of Women’s clubs; Mrs. R. F. Lindsey, of Mount Pleasant, parliamentarian of the federation; Mrs. Lee Joseph, of Austin, past state president of the federation; Mrs. W. E. Spell of Waco, chairman of the American Home committee of the federation and a regent of C. I. A.; Mrs. Frank A. Tompkins, of Corpus Christi, first vice president of the state federation.

            Mrs. William Gerhardt, president of the Woman’s Monday club, acted as the toastmaster, and introduced the various numbers of the program.

            The program was opened with a voice trio composed of Mrs. A. H. Burns, Mrs. Sam Bass, Miss Helen Sale, with Mrs. R. G. Allen, accompanist.  Mrs. Scott was presented by Mrs. Frank A. Tompkins, after which, she responded.  “Our Music Today,” was given by Mrs. W. B. Craig, followed by a piano solo by Miss Helen Sale.  Miss Julia Caldwell rendered “Our Flowers Today, and Mrs. Sam Rankin gave “An Echo from Hoover.”  Mrs. Percy V. Pennybacker made a short address on “The Admiral.”  Mrs. Henry Redmond introduced Mrs. W. R. Potter, who gave as a response, “What Mrs. Scott Means to the Federation.”  Mrs. E. H. Hefley introduced Mrs. Sam J. Smith, and her response was “One Woman.”  Miss Katherine Redmond rendered a vocal solo, with Otto Moellering as accompanist.  Mrs. Lee Joseph was introduced by Mrs. F. R. Allison, and gave as her response, “In Lighter Vein.”  Mrs. B. S. Byrnes introduced Mrs. J. L. Young, who gave “Joy in Service.”  Mrs. R. F. Lindsay was introduced by Mrs. C. O. Watson, and responded with “Looking Forward.”  Mrs. A. C. McCaughan presented Mrs. Cecil Smith, who gave “From Me To Her.”  Mrs. C. W. Skipper, Mrs. Louis Carter and Miss Helen Sale rendered a vocal trio, and were accompanied by Miss Louise Mussey.  Mrs. R. E. Buchannan was introduced by Mrs. J. B. Pondrom, and responded with “A Law Unto Herself.”  Mrs. T. M. Harrell presented Mrs. W. E. Spell, whose response was “Our Girls.”  Mrs. J. E. Garrett introduced Mrs. R. L. Browning, who gave “From the Golden WestEl Paso.”

            The hostesses for this occasion were the presidents of the federated clubs of the city: Mrs. William Gerhardt, Woman’s Monday club; Mrs. J. E. Garrett, Altrurian club; Mrs. F. R. Allison, La Retama club; Mrs. Edwin Flato, Harmony club; Mrs. C. O. Watson, Blue Bonnet Delphian club; Mrs. A. C. McCaughan, West End Civic club; Mrs. B. S. Byrnes, Twentieth Century club; Mrs. T. M. Harrell, Medical Auxiliary.

            The Nueces hotel orchestra furnished music during the luncheon hour.