Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 106, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1913 — Closing Session of the Federation of Women’s Clubs [ARTICLE]

Closing Session of the Federation of Women’s Clubs

The afternoon session of the district Federation of Women’s Clubs was largely attended. The program began with a piano solo by Mrs. M. D. €rwin, after which the reports of the various clubs of the idstri,ct by the president of each Was given. It was evident that the work being done was broader and more women were being: interested than ever before. An account of the different lines of work being done in the various clubs and the worthy object attained would be interesting to every one interested in public welfare. Mrs. Dr. of Hammond, formerly of our own town, gave a splendid paper on Sex Hygiene,

Mrs. R. R. Hemenway, of Gary, played 'her own accompaniment and whistled a beautiful solo. She was heartily applauded and responded by rendering. “The Flower Song.” Mrs. Felix T. McWhirter, of Indianapolis, president of the Indiana Federation of Women’s Clubs of Indiana, gave an address on Fundamentals in Federation. A beautiful vocal solo was given by Mrs. John A. Dunlap. The chairman then introduced Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith, of Cambridge City, Ind., president of the Indiana Home Economics Association. Her subject was “Home Economics and Home Ideals,” in which she showed that if the duties in the home were seen in their relation to life they would possess a new interest. The new vocational training law passed by our last legislature will relate the h6me and school in a way they have never been related before. Though, on aceount of this tow, many teachers will go into our schools this fall who have rio ability for the teaching of these new branches, they will be required to teach. Yet the need of well trained teachers in this line of work will be felt as time goes on and it will 'gradually be met.

Mrs. Meredith stated that much nonsense had been said snd written on the high cost of living, and that much more would be said and written, but so long as display windows and well written advertisements were the only means of education along the lines of women’s needs, so long would we have reason to complain of the high cost of living. - Proper education was the remedy suggested. There are two divisions of economics, the masculine, which converts men into money, and the feminine, which converts money into men. The speaker suggested that if the clubs desired a splendid illustrated lecture along the line of model school 'houses, in which all should he interested, they would do well to hear Prof. Kearns, of Illinois.

Mrs. Meredith’s address was thoroughly enjoyed by all who heard her. It was noted by a latly present that the Mrs. s Meredith is the original of Aunt Sallie Owens in Meredith Nicholson’s latest book, “A Hoosier Chronicle,” a splendid tribute by the auther to a relative. The following officers were elected for the following year: Mrs. Frank M. Ross, Kentland, chairman; Mrs. Lukens, Indiana Harbor, vice-chair-man; Mrs.' Turner, Hammond, director; Mrs. John I. Gwin, secretarytreasurer. The next year’s meeting will be held in Gary. The Rensselaer Literary Club is the only federated club in this county. They were therefore the entertaining club. Dinner was served by the Methodist ladies in the church dining rqpm. Altogether the district meeting was a very enjoyable and profitable one. This meeting having been held at the regular meeting time’of the local club, the postponed program will be held next Friday, May 9th, at the home of Mrs. A. P. Burton.