REPORTS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs ^8 Fifth Annual Meeting QUINCY OCTOBER 18, 19, 20, 1899 ILLINOIS FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S Cl? OFFICERS. MRS. ROBERT B. FARSON, President. MRS. CLARA P. BOURLAND, Honorary President, .. MRS. VIRGINIA BARLOW LE ROY, Recording Secretary, *MRS. ANNA L. PARKER, Vice-President at Large, . . MISS SARAH MARIA FAIRBANK, Treasurer, .. Jacksonville, Illinois MRS. JOHN A LUTZ, Corresponding Secretary, .. Lincoln, Illinois MRS. EUGENIE M. BACON, Chairman State Correspondence for General Federation, Decatur, Illinois VICE-PRESIDENTS FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS. Mrs. Almon Brooks, South Side Club, .. .. 4643 Lake Ave., Chicago Mrs. Florence Allin Ingalls, . . .. . . River Forest Woman’s Club Mrs. Alzina P. Stevens, Chicago Social Economics Club, 335 South Halsted St., Chicago Mrs. Dessa Worthington, Hull House Woman’s Club, 660 N. Western Ave., Chicago Mrs. George Sherwood, West End Woman’s Club, 513 Adams St., Chicago Miss Rebecca S. Rice, Alternate Club, . . 481 Dearborn Ave., Chicago Mrs. William A. Starin, The Sesame Club, .. . . . . Waukegan Mrs. Albert J. Hopkins, Miss Effie Shaw. Mrs. Clara G. Coulson, . . Mrs. C. J. Richardson, Mrs. George G. Mabin, Mrs. Saidee Gray Cox, Mrs. Frederica W. Bayne, Mrs. Ida C. Burns, Mrs. Thomas Worthington, Mrs. Alice C. Wells, , . Mrs. Chas. Douglas Hoiles, Mrs. W. F. Purtill, Mrs. George W. Evans, Mrs. Sarah A. Hallam, Mrs. Phebe Alice Taylor, * Deceased. Aurora Woman’s Club . . Woman’s Club, Mt. Carroll Hawthorne Club, Galesburg Princeton Woman’s Club Danville Woman’s Club Woman’s Club, Hudson Woman’s Literary Club, Lacon The Fortnightly, Monmouth . The Wednesday Class, Jacksonville Decatur Woman's Club The Shakespeare Club, Greenville Mattoon Home Culture Club Mt. Vernon Shakespeare Club Centralia Woman’s Club Cairo Woman's Club t o .1 STANDING COMMITTEES. EDUCATION COMMITTEE. Mrs. Thaddeus P. Stanwood, Chairman, . . Woman’s Club, Evanston Mrs. Clara G. Forbes, . . .. .. Champaign Social Science Club Mrs. Henry M. Dunlap, .. . . Champaign and Urbana Woman’s Club Mrs. George Sherwood, 513 Adams St., West End Woman’s Club, Chicago Mrs. Isabella Laning Candee, .. .. .. Woman’s Club, Cairo Mrs. I. S. Blackwelder, .. League of Religious Fellowship, Morgan Park Mrs. Sara G. Hamilton, .. .. .. Woman’s Club, Jacksonville SUB-COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION. Mrs. Henry M. Dunlap, Chairman, Savoy, Champaign and Urbana Woman’s Club Mrs. W. F. Purtill, .. .. .. .. Home Culture Club, Mattoon Miss Henriette R. Mack, . . .. .. .. Woman’s Club, Carthage Mrs. Henry T. Goddard, . . . . Reviewer’s Matinee, Mt. Carmel Dr. Alma Braucher, .. . . .. . . Woman’s Club, Lincoln PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE. Mrs. John C. Barlow, Chairman, . . . . .. Calliere Club, Streator Mrs. C. J. Richardson, .. .. . . .. Woman’s Club, Princeton Mrs. J. M. Flower, . . .. . . .. .. Chicago Woman’s Club Miss Julia C. Lathrop, . . .. . . .. Hull House Woman’s Club Mrs. Henry T. Rainey, .. .. University Extension Club, Carrollton Mrs. J. D. Harvey, . . Kane County Federation of Women’s Clubs; Geneva Mrs. James W. Patton .Woman’s Club, Springfield Mrs. Conrad Witkowski, 2802 Prairie Ave., Chicago Section National Council Jewish Women SUB-COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION. Mrs. J. M. Flower, Chairman, .. .. .. .. .. The Virginia Miss Julia Lathrop, Mrs. James W. Patton, Mrs. Charles Henrotin, 319 Superior St., .. Chicago Woman's Club STANDING COMMITTEES—Continued, LITERATURE COMMITTEE. Mrs. Clara G. Coulson, Chairman, . . Hawthorne Club, Galesburg Miss Frances Le Baron, . . . . . . . . . . Woman’s Club, Elgin Mrs. Virgina Le Roy, .. .. . . . . Woman’s Council, Streator Mrs. Charles T. Gildersleeve, .. . . Woman’s Club, Hudson Mrs. George W. Evans, . . . . . . Shakespeare Club, Mt. Vernon Mrs. T. G. Morris, .. . . . . Nineteenth Century Club, Oak Park SUB COMMITTEE ON LIBRARIES. Miss Frances Le Baron, Chairman, . . .. . . Woman’s Club, Elgin Miss Katharine Sharpe, .. .. Librarian of University of Illinois Mrs. Frederick L. Fake, 250 E. 66th St., .. Chicago South Side Club Miss Helen Bennett, .. . . . . . . Mattoon Council of Women Mrs. Margaret D. Trimble, . . . . . . Woman’s Club, Princeton COMMITTEE ON ART. Mrs. Dwight Perkins, Chairman, 3929 Indiana Ave., Chicago Woman’s Club Mrs. E. F. Abbott, . . . . . . .. .. Woman’s Club. Austin Mrs. F. M. Annis, .. .. .. .. .. Woman’s Club, Aurora Mrs. C. M. Higginson, .. . . Riverside Woman’s Reading Club Miss Mary Bull, .. .. .. .. .. Friends in Council, Quincy Mrs. O. B. Dodge, . . . . . . . . . . Phidian Art Club, Dixon Mrs. Sarah A. Hallam, . . . . .. . . Woman’s Club, Centralia COMMITTEE ON MUSIC. Mrs. Charles Carroll Brown, Chairman, Woman’s Club, Bloomington Mrs. William A. Starin, .. .. .. .. The Sesame Club, Waukegan Mrs. Geo. B. Carpenter, .. Chicago Woman’s Club, Fine Arts Building Mrs. Charles Hickox, .. .. .. .. Woman’s Club, Springfield Mrs. Saidee Gray Cox, .. .. .. . . Woman’s Club, Hudson Miss Effie Shaw, .. . . .. .. .. Woman’s Club, Mt. Carroll Miss Ida Stewart, .. .. .. .. .. The Atlantis, Quincy INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE. Mrs. Alzina P. Stevens, Chairman, .. Chicago Social Economics Club Mrs. Dessa Worthington, . . . . .. Hull House Woman’s Club Mrs. Lynden Evans, 135 Pine St., Chicago, Association of Young Women’s Clubs Mrs. B. P. Marsh, .. .. .. .. Bloomington Woman’s Clubs Mrs. John Hall Sherritt, .. Rockford Federation of Women’s Clubs Mrs. John Mason, . . . . . . .. . . Aurora Woman’s Club Mrs. Consuelo Konitz, .. .. . . .. . . Peoria Woman’s Club REPORT OF THE Educational Committee. The report of the Educational Committee of 1898 was so full and complete; and as a year has not yet elapsed since it was written, the report of the Committee for 1899 must, of necessity, be shorter, and, in many cases, can only state that the work noticed in the report of last year’s Committee is still being carried on. A careful study of club programs and of the reports sent in by club secretaries and chairmen of educational departments of clubs, shows that the work done in the last year may be roughly divided into two classes: First, Study work, either of educational methods, of liter¬ ature bearing on educational requirements and progress, of the nature and life of the child, of local history or of government, and Second, of practical work, like founding or maintaining kindergartens, manual training schools, vacation schools, read¬ ing rooms and libraries, giving and loaning pictures and books to schools, clothing needy children, aiding proposed legislation and securing and presenting petitions in reference to educational reforms. Each club finds work of some kind, dictated by local conditions, ready to its hand, and it is often hard, in reading the reports, to determine whether the work belongs to the edu¬ cational or philanthropic departments, so close is the relation between them. — 6 — furnishing No report of this department would be complete A,D ' which did not mention with pride the practical work of the Ladies’ Educational Society of Jacksonville. Since its foundation in 1833, this society has assisted fifteen hundred young women in their efforts to secure the benefits of higher education. This society also illustrates the benefits derived and conferred by steady application to one kind of work, the necessity for which has been plainly demonstrated. It seems to the chairman of this department that a similar work might be done by other clubs in towns where colleges and normal schools are situated. contributions The effort to keep children in school is worthy to needy of the educational department of any club. The children. lack of proper clothing often hinders children from attending public schools. The Chicago Woman’s Club and the clubs of Beardstown, Springfield, and Batavia have collected and distributed clothing to the needy in their towns. kindergartens. The Lake View Woman’s Club and the Engle¬ wood Woman’s Club have maintained kinder¬ gartens in their districts. The Woman’s Club of the Chicago University Settlement has prepared and presented to the Board of Education four petitions for the establishment of kinder¬ gartens in their neighborhood. ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OP MANUAL TRAINING SCHOOLS; SCHOOLS FOR NURSES AND SCHOOLS OP DOMESTIC SCIENCE. The North End Club of Edgewaterhas contributed money for putting manual training in its public school; the Lake View Woman’s Club has equipped two rooms for manual training as a memorial to Miss Meri Topelius, a teacher of sloyd who was a member of that club; the Elgin Woman’s Club supports a train¬ ing school for nurses in connection with a hospital which it founded and maintains; the Chicago Woman’s Club has helped to establish a school of domestic science; the Chicago section of the Council of Jewish Women has organized a summer sewing school amongst the girls in one of the poorest sections of the — 7 — city; the Princeton Woman’s Club engaged Mrs. Rorer to give free lectures to the city on domestic science, hoping to establish public sentiment in its favor with a view to putting it into the schools eventually; the Englewood Woman’s Club has opened an industrial school to the pupils of the public schools. reading The Hudson Woman’s Club has established and is rooms. maintaining at its own expense a reading room in the town. The Woman’s Club of Hinsdale has opened a reading and retiring room for teachers and pupils in its public school building. The Hudson Woman’s Club proposes to undertake this work extensively next year. DISTRIBUTION OF BOOKS AND PERIODICALS IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS. The Princeton Woman’s Club has dis¬ tributed many periodicals and books in needy districts; the Elgin Woman’s Club is responsible for the work of establishing travelling libraries in Kane County, and supplied quantities of supplementary reading matter in country schools. The Woman’s Club of Princeton has contributed a collection of pictures to be circulated in its schools. The Lake View Woman’s Club has contributed two hundred volumes to the Alcott School. The Chicago Woman’s Aid, the Woman’s Clubs of Mendota, Springfield and Henry all report the placing of pictures in public schools. The Chicago Woman’s Aid has also given forty-five volumes to the Maxwell Street Settlement. The Woman’s Club of Pekin has not only contributed money for pictures in the public school but has started a movement to introduce art and music in the high school. The Woman’s Club of Batavia has also given pictures to its public school. The following clubs report a standing committee on visiting schools: Hinsdale, Mattoon, Chicago, Morgan Park, Englewood and Pekin. The following clubs have studied the subject of vacation schools and vacation play-grounds and have contributed to the vacation schools in Chicago: Chicago Woman’s Club, Teacher’s Club, North End Club, Morgan Park, Engle¬ wood, Woman’s Club of the Settlement of Chicago University, Anna B. Holmes Club, Lake View Woman’s Club, 'Home Club Fortnightly and the Evanston Club. 8 legislative The members of our legislature can testify to the WORK ‘ interest taken by the clubs in the educational bills introduced into the assembly last winter. They were over¬ whelmed by letters concerning a kindergarten bill, a compulsory school bill, parental, truant and vacation school bills, a bill pro¬ viding for dormitories for women and another to provide a course in domestic science in the State University. The Chicago- Woman’s Club has co-operated with the Civic Federation to secure a revision of the school laws of the city of Chicago. Although the kindergarten bill did not get to its second reading, another bill was passed which divides the levy of five per cent, which a school district may make into two equal parts, instead of, as formerly, into two per cent, for maintenance of schools and three per cent, for building purposes. In many districts the kindergarten sentiment is strong enough to carry the election necessary before establishing a kindergarten, but the old division of the levy did not give funds enough. With this addition of one-half of one per cent, for the maintenance of schools, almost any district can supply the money necessary for the establishment of a kindergarten. The foregoing gives the most of the practical work of the clubs, but we will all agree that much has been done by club members individually and collectively, which cannot be reduced to statistics. The former chairman of this department worked faithfully in establishing a friendly and social relation between homes and schools, and many clubs report continued efforts in this line. Until the mothers know what the teachers and school offi¬ cers are trying to do, and until the teachers are sure that mothers are trying to co-operate with them intelligently, our schools can never do for our children what they might. Illinois stands third among the States in the number of pupils enrolled in schools, number of teachers, and in money spent in education in the State, being excelled in this respect only by the States of New York and Massachusetts. We have 939* ^3 pupils, 26,235 teachers, and spend $16,000,000 annu¬ ally on our schools. — 9 — Money and effort are being lavished in this State. Educated, interested women should find it a> matter of eco¬ nomic value to watch the results of this expenditure and see that the teachers are well qualified; that the standard of excel¬ lence in small towns and country districts is raised, and that the best men and women are elected to school boards. Two new State Normal Schools are opened this fall and another is to be located, which will give us five State Normal Schools of high character from which to draw our regular teach¬ ing force; and our numerous colleges and universities should give us liberally trained young men and women for the higher work. It should be possible for the child who is doing fifth, sixth, seventh or any other grade work in a country school to take the same studies and be required to reach the same standard in these studies a^ a child in the corresponding grades in Jackson¬ ville, Bloomington, Rockford or Chicago public schools. Nearly all school districts publish annual reports and man¬ uals giving their course of study. By obtaining these—which could easily be done on application to the board—and compar¬ ing them with the work in any given town or district, it will be easy to see the superiority or inferiority of each, and, in the latter case, an intelligent plan can be formulated to secure an improved condition. CHILD STUDY DEPARTMENTS OR ROUND TABLES. Among the clubs which maintain a Child Study Department or do work suggested by experts on this subject are the Englewood Woman’s Club, the Kenwood Fortnightly, the Lake View Woman’s Club, South Side, Bloomington, Hinsdale and Evanston. home and Among those which have studied to secure a close school. relation between the home and school are the Woman’s Clubs of Hinsdale, Mattoon, Lincoln, Princeton, Evanston, Englewood, Henry, Mendotaand Bloomington. The annual report of the educational department of the Bloomington Woman’s Club—Mrs. Cora Stanton Brown, chairman—is so delightful and suggestive that your chairman recommends it to IO - any club desiring a model. It was published in “School and Home Education” in May, 1899. Many programs were sent to the chairman with the reports of club work which might be repeated with profit in other clubs. The report of the Bureau of Reciprocity gives the titles of several manuscripts which can be had for the asking and in¬ cludes a model program. “The Transactions of the Illinois Child Study Society” are full of suggestions and papers which may be read in educational meetings. A most valuable volume for club or educational department is the educational number (August, 1899) of the “Outlook.” The report of the Educational Committee of the General Federation give's large space to the work of the Illinois clubs, a compliment which this committee feels is well deserved. It is to be hoped that another year’s report will show more effort in educational work among the smaller clubs. Many of these have done well, but the bulk of the work reported is from the large department clubs. In closing, I should like to quote a para¬ graph from G. Stanley Hall: “One thing is certain; educational interest is everywhere increasing in an almost appalling way. The last five years have perhaps seen more of this process of pedagogic renaissance than the preceding twenty-five; and if all signs do not fail, the next few years will be rich years to live in for those interested in education.” For the Committee on Education, respectfully submitted. Louise Brockway Stanwood, Chairman. REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE TO FURTHER THE INTER¬ ESTS OF THE WOMEN STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS. The report, which this committee submits to the federation, contains features, which convey hope and encouragement to those earnestly desiring the success of the work for which this committee stands; yet is not lacking in disappointment because of the failure to attain the desired end within the year. The courtesy and kindness extended to the committee and the encouragement given them by a majority of the legislature; the active co-operation of many of the clubs of the state in the work and the influence which they wielded, demonstrate that the future holds better things for the women students of our University. In all this there is cause for congratulation. The poignancy of our failure becomes great when we think of the nearness of the goal and our final defeat. The legislature granted what the women of the state asked, but the Governor thought best to attach his veto, to not a part only, but to all the appropriation desired by his non-voting constituents. It is sad that the Governor of this great and wealthy State of Illinois could not appreciate what that ten thousand dollars for Domestic Science meant to the homes of the state and to the purer, better manhood and womanhood of her people; for only as the homes are brought to a higher state of perfection, may we expect those physical, moral and spiritual attributes in the 12 - coming generations of men and women which actuate to higher thought and nobler purposes the lives of her citizens. The committee was greatly surprised at the veto, for the Governor in his message to the general assembly recommended the women’s building. Believing he meant what he said in his message, the com¬ mittee did not think it necessary to convert him. Events later, showed them their mistake or their inability to read between the lines of the message. The committee was granted a hearing before the senate and house appropriation committees, and due consideration was given to their plea by both committees. It being impossible for several members of the committee to be present at the time of the hearing, Mrs. S. T. Busey, of Urbana, was asked and kindly consented, to appear with the committee. Mrs. Carriel and Mrs. Flower, trustees of the University, were also present, and out of their wide experience of the needs of the women students, they gave much information. The chairman of the committee sent a personal letter to each club in the federation, requesting that they see, or write letters to, their senator and representatives, asking them to favor the appropriation under consideration for the benefit of the women students at the University. Many were the responses to the letter, and the promptness of the replies and the interest manifested, aided greatly in secur¬ ing the recognition granted to the committee and in obtaining the appropriation of forty thousand dollars for a woman’s building and ten thousand dollars for the establishment of a school of domestic science, which only failed of becoming a law because of Governor Tanner’s veto, as stated. It is hoped by this committee that the federation will con¬ tinue its efforts towards bringing equal opportunities at our University for the girls to work along as practical lines of educa¬ tion, as are provided for the boys. Can we say it is right and necessary to train the hands of our boys and not our girls ? Can we today in honesty of heart, feel that the girl who is to become wife, mother and horn? 13 — maker does not need to acquire practical knowledge of chemis¬ try, biology, the elements, and combination of foods, which she can apply to her profession ? As one writer says, “Motherhood the oldest profession known and yet the least perfected.” The great mortality among the infants and children is due to ignorance, it is not a dispensation of Providence. The irrita¬ bility of many unhappy and unruly children may be traced to ignorance in feeding and caring for them. Malnutrition is given as one of the most frequent causes of insanity, and who can say how much of the intemperance of our people has its beginning in the insatiable craving due to ill nourishment ? Our reformatories and penitentiaries in a large degree are monuments to the ignorance and incompetency of those taking upon themselves the duties of wife and mother. Let us then broaden our view of the meaning and import¬ ance of domestic science and of the art of home making, and their value in the education of our girls. Let us deem them worthy of a position in the curriculum of all universities and colleges and work to educate men and women to that thought. Mrs. H. M. Dunlap, Chairman. REPORT OF THE Philanthropy Committee. In submitting the following report the Philanthropy Com¬ mittee feel that while much and commendable work has been accomplished and many heavy burdens lightened, one essential thing is yet to be realized, viz., the general awakening of the public to the need of united forces in humanitarian effort. The most dominant factor in the economic field of the day is the concentration and organization of human endeavor, as is evidenced by the trend of industrial, political and social activities. Conceding that united organized effort best achieves the ends sought, it then should be the office of the clubs to so wisely influence public sentiment that it shall demand that all chari¬ table work shall be centralized and placed upon a definite, per¬ manent basis, governed by strict business principles. The clubs, also, can do much toward developing that inter¬ est in social service, and appreciation of modern methods with¬ out which all institutions are apt to become behind the times and therefore less effective. In those cities wherein no charity organization exists, these movements can be much advanced by the clubs therein uniting in their charity work and operating in conjunction with their supervisor, demanding the investigation of all cases applying for help, refusing aid to children and beggars, and requiring an equivalent in labor from all able bodied applicants for alms. Where charity organizations exist, co-operate with them. — i 4 — — i5 — This policy faithfully carried out would greatly check and reduce the rampant growth of pauperism, an evil that is daily and hourly becoming a more serious burden and menace to society. The committee suggests the formation of clubs among the working women in the smaller towns as well as in the cities; where such societies have been organized the results have amply justified the effort, not only in broadening and brightening the lives of the members thereof, but in the beneficial influence thus exerted upon their families and neighbors in domestic economy, hygiene and cleanliness. And don’t forget the wage-earning boys and girls, the young burden bearers, whose toilsome lives need the sunshine and gladness that profitable companionship evokes. All clubs doing outside work should co-operate with teach¬ ers and truant officers in order to know that the children are kept in school, and if not, why not ? Such clubs as are financially able can put their funds to no better purpose than to support a Friendly Visitor or Visiting Nurse. Committees should be appointed to visit the various public institutions and to note the conditions prevailing therein. They should go in the spirit of helpfulness, not criticism. Inspection by cordial, intelligent citizens will help to encourage good fea¬ tures and eliminate evil ones. The laws enacted by the late legislature relating to the child are valuable as far as they go, but their scope is too limited. While the delinquent and neglected child of Chicago will be benefited by the Juvenile Court and Vacation School Bills, the child of the State at large is not reached. The dependent child, the child in the almshouse, the innocent , helpless victim of our social system, is suffered by the humane powers that be, to develop unrestrained into the pauper and the criminal, and to become in turn the progenitor of paupers and criminals. As long as the pauper factories remain unchecked by legis¬ lative enactment that much longer must the eradication of pauperism be postponed. As all thoughtful people know the way to cure pauperism or crime is to prevent it. The reports on philanthropy reform, industry and education duplicate and overlap each other to some extent, but the repeti¬ tion serves to emphasize the importance of the work done and to broaden-the interest therein. The Committee much regret that so small a number of the clubs, only fifteen per cent, have sent in reports, hence this summary must give a very inadequate idea of the work really done in the State by the women’s clubs. Should the president of each club doing philanthropy and reform work, make it her duty to see that a report of work done by her club is sent to the chairman of the Philanthropy Com¬ mittee, not only would a showing be made in the next annual year book of which the State of Illinois might well be proud, but keener and increased interest would be engendered, and clubs now working in other lines would be stimulated to emulation. Limited space prevents extended review of work accom¬ plished and reported, hence only brief mention will be possible. The Chicago Clubs always active in all branches of club work, have been instrumental in bringing many philanthropic and reformative projects to successful issue. The Chicago Woman’s Club has had under its supervision for ten years the school of Cook County Jail, and has for eight years paid the salary of the teachers, but the County Commis¬ sioners at last recognizing the benefit derived thereby voted to sustain it from the public funds hereafter. The department committee visits the school, assists the teachers, supplies books, etc.; they also visit the other County institutions and send to them books and magazines. A joint committee of Reform and Philanthropy has taken up probation work for children in the police station, paying ten dollars per month towards salary of probation officer and assists said officer in visiting the homes of those apprehended. Other committees are doing excellent work for reform in laws affecting women and children and for the School Children’s Association, Protective Agency, Vacation Schools, Glen wood School and the Model Lodging House and Work Shop Association. The Philanthropy department has seven representatives 17 — upon the Board of the Protective Agency contributing eight hundred dollars to its needs. The department has successfully accomplished the separation of boys from older criminals in the Bridewell. Chicago Catholic Women’s League is doing fine work on many lines. It supports a kindergarten, kitchengarten, nur¬ series, sewing school and a night school; conducts a Penny Saving Station and Mother’s meetings; provides clothing and provisions for the destitute, procures employment for men and women and loans maternity outfits. A physician is employed and medicine furnished free to their beneficiaries. The Arche Club of Chicago, although devoted to art and kindred subjects, has lately added a philanthropy department, which, with the assistance of the Young Ladies Auxiliary of the Club has contributed over three hundred dollars to the Vacation School, Model Lodging House for Women and Children, and to the Jackson Park Sanitarium for Babies. Chicago Women’s Aid report a workroom opened last De¬ cember where an average of twenty-seven women work daily at fifty cents per diem, whence two thousand six hundred garments were finished for-theiMichael Reese Hospital and the Home for Jewish Orphans. The Aloha Lend a Hand Club of Chicago, composed of self- supporting women, has lent a hand in various ways; has con¬ tributed to the Army and Navy League; indorsed and aided the Vacation School movement and relieved a number of cases of destitution, which latter were personally investigated by the Chairman of the Philanthropy Committee. Chicago Section of Council of Jewish Women supports a sswing school for girls and gives each girl a fortnight’s outing; contributed to the finances of the Seventh Ward Bureau of Associated Charities and workroom connected therewith. The University of Chicago Settlement Woman’s Club has secured an appropriation from the City Council for $9, 500 for public baths for the settlement neighborhood, assisted financially toward playground, supply district nurse with needful articles for the sick, and send clothing to the boys at the Allendale Farm. 8 — Woodlawn Woman’s Club indorsed and secured signatures of voters for the Bill for Dependent and Delinquent Children; has a standing committee to visit all public institutions and report back to the club; gives outings to mothers and children of the Settlement and aids Vacation School fund. The Chicago South Side Club does charity work in various lines through its Reform and Philanthropy Department. A work¬ room is carried on in the stock yards district for the help of needy women out of employment; these women, one hundred and eighty-eight, have from one to five days work a week and are paid in clothing and groceries, etc.; thus are aided over thousand people. A friendly visitor is sustained who visits the homes, looks after the children, sees that they are kept in school and will take the mothers and children on outings to the parks; incredible as it may seem, some of these hapless little ones have never seen a tree or green grass. The club also contributes to the Vacation School, Protective Agency and Lodging-house funds. The Every Wednesday Club, Home Club Fortnightly and Anna B. Holmes Club, all of Chicago, have given financial aid and personal service to the Women’s Protective Agency, Vaca¬ tion and Industrial Schools, Northwestern University Settlement and to the needy. The clubs of the smaller cities and towns have pursued much the same lines of work according to their opportunities, their field and numbers being more limited than in the large cities. The Elgin Woman’s Club has concentrated its energies upon the care and support of the Sherman Hospital, which institu¬ tion was founded, sustained and managed by the women of Elgin. They look well to the ways of the household, purchase all supplies, hire all help, make all repairs and additions to buildings, conduct a training school for nurses, besides superin¬ tending the cultivation of a kitchen garden. The Lincoln Woman’s Club undertakes the care of all the poor of the city and supports an industrial school for girls. Peoria Catholic Woman’s League reports much work in relief; has furnished a great deal of clothing and the services of — 19 - a professional nurse to the poor, procured work for many, and' has undertaken the care of ten children, in order that brothers and sisters may be kept together and the homes intact. The Springfield Woman’s Club, with a membership of three hundred and seventy-five, has comfortably clothed for school two hundred and twenty-six children, has taken fifty dollars’ worth of shares in the Associated Charities of Springfield, and has sent petitions to members and senators praying the passage of the Dependent Children and Vacation School bills and the Bill for the State care of Epileptics. Their president addressed many clubs in surrounding cities in the interest of these bills. The La Grange Philanthropy Class helps the poor by sup¬ plying provisions and employment. The class has furnished bed and sitting rooms in the Children’s Home, at North Harvey, and provided bedding, clothing, books, toys, etc., for the motherless little ones there. The Every Tuesday Club of Lewiston has sent a crippled boy to the hospital for treatment, and now rejoices in his recov¬ ery and ability to walk; they also succor other unfortunates. The Mattoon Council of Women, inspired by the annual meeting at Jacksonville, has organized and sustains a sewing school and a kitchen-garten wherein some two hundred girls are instructed. The club contributes to the welfare of the Emer¬ gency Hospital, and secured the enactment of a curfew law in their town. The Woman’s Club of Henry has also petitioned for a curfew ordinance, and has placed upon school-room walls works of art. The Woman’s Club of Beardstown has done practically all the charity work of the town, devoting one hundred and seventy- seven dollars and much clothing to this purpose. They also, with the co-operation of the teachers, keep sixty-three children in school. The Woman’s Club of Hinsdale provides food, clothing and medicine for the alleviation of distress, secures work for the unemployed, and has sent one patient to the Presbyterian Hospital. The Woman’s Club of Kankakee has been exceedingly active — 20 in charity work, has furnished bedding, underwear, fruits, etc., to the Emergency Hospital; sent magazines and illustrated papers to the inmates of the County House, and provided enter¬ tainment for them by noted vocalists, whose sweet music upon the lawn did much to break the monotony of their uneventful lives; a scheme worthy of imitation. The club also tried the plan of selling at nominal price worn clothing, but it was more of a success morally than finan¬ cially. The Jail Conmittee of the same club distributes reading matter to the prisoners, and have made many visits to the poor, carrying aid and encouragement. The Princeton Woman’s Club is doing a noble work in res¬ cuing dependent children from the evil influences of the County House and placing them in homes; twenty-eight were thus cared for and a good home was secured for an epileptic girl. Money, meals and attendants were provided for the aid of the sick poor, and clothing sent to the Harvey Home and to school children to insure their attendance at school. The club also supported a course of six free lectures and furnishes all necessary material for demonstrations in cookery by Mrs. Rohrer. In these free lectures the club secured the attendance of a class of women who were unable to pay for this instruction. The lectures were popular and largely attended. Besides the clubs named, the Round Table of Quincy, the Mendota Woman’s Club, Woman’s Club of Taylorville, the Woman’s Columbian Club of Batavia, the Oliver Wendell Holmes Club of Galesburg, the Callere and E Re Nata Clubs of Streator have also worked in philanthropic lines, having sent children to the kindergarten, taken memberships in local associ¬ ated charities and relieved distress in many ways, but lack of space prevents further particularization. Many of the clubs are lately devoting time to lectures and study of philanthropic prob¬ lems, and others are just taking up the practical work whence the charitable efforts of the coming year promise to yield a harvest bountiful and rich. Could there be instituted in Illinois a summer school of philanthropy similar to the one conducted with such success in New York City, the training received therein would give a new impetus to philanthropic work in the State. There the earnest student is trained what to do and how to do. Daily lectures are given by experts in their lines, and charitable and correc¬ tional institutions methodically visited. We are coming to realize that special training is as necessary for the successful prosecution of charity work as it is for other missionary efforts. The women’s clubs, earnestly and systematically striving for the amelioration of the hard conditions of the poor, and at the same time sternly discouraging that charity that tends to pauperize, will one day make the State of Illinois renowned for its beneficent and wisely directed charities. Respectfully submitted. Mrs. J. C. Barlow, Chairman. REPORT OF Sub-Committee on Legislation. The Sub-Committee on Legislation of the Illinois Federa¬ tion of Women’s Clubs takes pleasure in reporting that the last session of the State Legislature was one of the most important ever held, as far as legislation in the interest of children was concerned; and the committee has good reason to believe that the efforts of the women’s clubs were very effective in influenc¬ ing this legislation. Many clubs, and also many club members individually, addressed their representatives at Springfield in favor of the measures recommended by the committee. The committee suggested in the year-book of 1898-99 cer¬ tain measures which it deemed essential to carrying out the spirit of the resolution under which it was appointed. The first was adequate State care for feeble-minded and epileptic child¬ ren. As to this it would report that $200,000 was appropri¬ ated by the legislature for the enlargement of the school at Lin¬ coln. The new buildings are now in process of construction. An appropriation of $2,500 was made to secure an option upon a site for an epileptic colony, and to prepare plans for buildings. The second suggestion was prohibition of the presence of normal children between the ages of two and sixteen years in any poor-house. A provision to this effect was inserted in the dependent and delinquent children’s bill mentioned below; but the committee is obliged to state that it was lost in the legisla- — 22 — 23 — ture. It is true that the general provisions of this bill as passed will much reduce the number of children in poor-houses, but a law absolutely forbidding the presence of children in poor- houses, and making adequate provision for their care outside is still needed. The third measure in the committee’s statement was the establishment of truant or parental schools. The committee reports with much satisfaction that a bill was passed, substan¬ tially as drafted under the supervision of the educational com¬ mittee appointed by the women’s clubs of Cook county. The law provides that cities with a population of 100,000 or more must establish within two years parental or truant schools; and that cities w’ith a population between 100,000 and 25,000 may establish such schools at any time. Children can be sent to these schools only for truancy, absenteeism, or disorderly behavior at school, and the truant schools are made part of the public school system. No child who has ever been convicted of any penal offence can be sent to a truant school. Thus the taint of criminality cannot attach to children sent to these institu¬ tions. Children are committed on indeterminate sentence, not to exceed the limit of compulsory school age (14 years), but they can be released upon parole, or absolutely, when their behavior satisfies the school authorities that release is wise. When truant schools are thoroughly established, we may anticipate that the compulsory school law will become, for the first time, really operative. The fourth and fifth measures mentioned by the committee were the confiding of the disposition of all dependent children to the county judges, and State supervision of all children who are deprived of proper parental care. In the judgment of the committee the “bill to regulate the treatment and control of dependent, neglected and delinquent children” was a notable forward step; and all the aid possible was given it by the com¬ mittee on its passage. The law gives county and circuit judges jurisdiction in all children’s cases, thereby permitting their removal from the police court, with its fines and short sentences. A judge may — 24 — now dispose of the children either by commitment to industrial schools or by entrusting them to a reputable individual or to a society for placing out children, or in any manner within the statutes which appears to the judge to be for the best interest of the child. In counties having a population of 500,000 or more a special juvenile court is provided for, presided overby a judge of the circuit court. This court has been in operation-in Cook county since July 1st. A child under 12 years of age cannot be committed to a jail or police station, and no child can be kept in any penal institution in the same building or enclosure with adult convicts. A system of volunteer probation officers is pro¬ vided for. Their value and efficiency in supervising children whom the court finds not guilty of serious offenses, but rather lacking proper parental care, or tempted by idleness, bad com¬ pany and neglect, has been demonstrated already in the short time in which the law has been in operation in Chicago. A judge can order the discharge of children from all institutions or prisons to which he may commit them. All societies which find homes for children must report to the State Board of Charities, and only societies duly accredited by the State Board can receive children from the courts. The spirit of all the provisions of this law is expressed in the last section which states: This act shall be liberally construed to the end that its pur¬ pose may be carried out, to-wit: That the care, custody and discipline of a child shall approximate as nearly as may be that which should be given by its parents; and in all cases where it can be properly done the child may be placed in an approved family home, and become a member of the family by adoption or otherwise. This law falls short of affording complete care for the classes of children enumerated in its title. Especially does it lack a provision for boarding out children at public expense, and for the prohibition of their presence in poor-houses. In order to make the system of probation and parole thoroughly effective there should be paid officers for this work. The law fails' to provide for such payment. — 25 — Whatever the deficiencies of the statute, however, its posi¬ tive merit is very great, and its adoption marks a turning point in Illinois’ care for her children. We can only feel encouraged to work further in the same direction. Respectfully submitted, Lucy L. Flower, Chairman. REPORT OF THE Committee on Literature. In the passing away of our beloved and efficient chairman, Mrs. Anna Parker, of Quincy, the Committee on Literature feel that we have sustained an irreparable loss; and in attempting to take up her late work, we not only realize our own inadequacy and incompetency, but approaching reverently, feel that we must “tread softly.” For the benefit of every club member we call attention to the fact that Mrs. Parker’s careful and systematic methods alone rendered it possible, at the last hour, for others to carry on in any degree, the work she had so well in hand. Mrs. Par¬ ker had evidently attempted to reach every Literary Club in the Federation with words of encouragement, suggestion or inquiry, and chiefly upon the replies of some eighty clubs, as well as upon their enclosed programmes, this brief report is based. With the annual announcement of the Federation as a medium, the committee sounded a note of warning against dis¬ connected and miscellaneous lines of study and thought so often adopted by women’s clubs; and the specialization of work was strongly urged. Attention was also called to the fact that in this materialistic age there is danger lest the realms of the ideal be too greatly overshadowed by the purely practical, and the study of poetic literature as a corrective influence was suggested. Home reading and book buying were encouraged, and believing that “books, like friends, should be few and well chosen” every — 26 — — 27 — club woman was urged to use her influence to counteract “the wide-spread tendency to indiscriminate and inordinate reading, resulting from the cheapness of books”. That these suggestions have been kindly received and have in many cases already borne fruit, cannot from the evidence on hand be questioned. The younger clubs especially seem to have improved in their methods of work. Many of them testify that they begin to realize that concentration of forces is one of the most important factors of progress, and signify their inten¬ tion to secure to a greater degree, unity and continuity of thought in the work of the coming year. Although the improve¬ ment over past years is marked, there is still great need for fur¬ ther efforts along this line. We wish to draw the notice of these clubs to the programmes of the organizations of long standing, whose years of labor and experience have in many cases, enabled them to produce results almost ideal in purpose and execution. Literature, Art, History, Science, Education and Religion are so closely related as ofttimes to be difficult of division; and many clubs classified as Literary, naturally touch upon all these branches. Among the purely literary clubs, Shakespeare #and the Drama have received marked attention. One circle which cer¬ tainly believes in specialization, having devoted its nine years of existence to dramatic study, writes that the past year has been given to the study of “Macbeth” alone, and enthusiastically adds that the club expects to continue their study for years to come. A delightful feature of many of the dramatic clubs is the presentation of plays, as a pastime and entertainment for out¬ side guests. Much latent talent in this line seems to have been discovered and is worthy of cultivation. The poetical and classical works of the great writers of every age and country are being studied to a marked degree. This is usually in connection with the country and times which they represent, or the literary class or epochs to which they belong. Works of fiction, too, receive their meed of attention, — 28 — although in many clubs they come in principally for discussion during the time allotted for “Book Reviews.” They sometimes too seem to be thrown in as a sort of respite from heavier work. One club writes that “the history which to some seemed a bit¬ ter pill to be swallowed only because prescribed, was heavily sugar-coated with romance,” the works chosen being, however, many of them, English classics, and others the best literature of the present day. The Tourists and Travellers continue to enjoy delightful mental visits “Here, There and Everywhere,” through our own and foreign countries; and feel that they are gaining a broad and comprehensive view, not only of places, but of the people, ages and events which have made them famous. Literary and historical Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Holland and Ger¬ many, next to England, receive more attention, perhaps, than all the other countries combined; but the eyes and thoughts of several clubs are directed now towards South America, China, Japan and the Islands of the seas. A few circles are making a thorough and exhaustive study of Russia and deserve much credit for their systematic, critical and analytical work. One club enjoys the distinction of being the exclusive explorers of Ireland from a historical and literary standpoint and report great enthusiasm and profit in their pursuit. Not only America, the United States and its possessions, but the State of Illinois, receive the attention of several loyal clubs. They seem to find in our local history legends and liter¬ ature, interesting and profitable material for a year or more of investigation. It may not be amiss here to again claim attention of all literary workers to the value and importance of the study and preservation of local tradition, citing as an example of what may be done in this line, the volume of “Recollections of the Pio¬ neers of Lee County” compiled sometime since by the club women of that section. Among the study classes, Sociology, Household Science, Anthropology and Psychology are being more or less investi¬ gated; while the different Philosophies and “Ten Great Relig- — 29 — ions of the World” are calling forth elaborate and painstaking research. Many clubs, feeling their need of wider knowledge in con¬ ducting their routine business, include the study of Parliamen¬ tary Law in connection with their regular literary work, and con¬ sider the time so given well spent. The methods and outlines of study are almost as varied as are the needs and environments of the clubs themselves, and can necessarily be governed by no fixed rule. In minor matters each club is a law unto itself and has to adapt its conduct to the calibre and personnel of its members. The written paper or essay is still a debatable question. Some clubs seem to think that its use is a decided “incubus to original and spontaneous work, and are attempting to replace it entirely by lectures and subsequent discussions on the topic or topics of the day. That it is much easier to read a well written paper on a topic than to give the same thoughts without the manuscript cannot be denied; but that carelessness of thought and diction, and often lack of continuity mark the absence of a paper is equally true; and believing with Bacon that “reading maketh a full man. con¬ ference a ready man, and writing an exact man” we believe that the best results are obtained from a happy medium combining both systems. Very many clubs are to be warmly congratulated upon the •opportunities they have enjoyed in their lecture courses. Where outside talent can be employed without infringing upon the original and individual work of the members, its adoption as a stimulant and aid is approved. It is worthy of note that a large proportion of talent employed by clubs as lecturers, read¬ ers or professional class leaders is found among the ranks of our own clubs, and consists of some of the best equipped workers in the field. One club has been enjoying a course of Bible lec¬ tures given by a gifted scholar, “treating of the Bible as litera¬ ture and the times that created it.” But whatever the outline of the work, the discussion of current events as a feature of the programme is becoming more — 30 — and more established and promises by its deserving popularity to become practically a permanent institution. A few clubs who are recently organized have as yet no fixed or regular programmes, but are doing miscellaneous and somewhat scattering work. We hope that this coming year will see them able to follow clearer and more systematic courses; for it seems to be the unanimous opinion that it is better to do a few things thoroughly than many things superficially. But whatever the methods or outline of work, the majority of clubs feel that the past year has been one of great intellectual awak¬ ening and mental growth, and are encouraged to believe that the future has still better things in store. Many of them also feel that the usefulness of the literary club is only limited by its numbers; but this question of limited or unlimited membership, like the existence and length of the essay, can only be settled by the individual clubs. However, many of us hope to see the day soon come when the door of some friendly club will stand invitingly open to every woman who feels the need or desire of congenial companionship in the pursuit of intellectual culture and the acquisition of the highest things. Clara Gordon Coulson, Chairman. REPORT OF THE Sub-Committee on Libraries. In presenting this second annual report of the Committee on Libraries of the Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs I wish first to make my grateful acknowledgment to Club Life for without the material gathered from the interesting pages of that valuable periodical this report would have been lacking some important items. If any good work is not mentioned herein it would be well for the clubs so neglected to remonstrate with their secretaries and do better next year. During the year this committee was asked by the Illinois Library Association to aid in the effort to pass a bill through the Legislature for the appointing of a Library Commission with a necessary appropriation. Through the vice-presidents appeals were sent to the clubs asking that each interest the local legis¬ lators in the bill. Our co-laborers assure us that we aided very materially in the campaign of education. The bill lacked five votes of passing the Legislature and going to the Governor. The work done will surely count in the next Legislature. LOCAL LIBRARIES. The work done in the way of organizing and maintaining libraries by the women’s clubs of this state is fine and is con¬ stantly increasing. The Austin Woman’s Club organized a library two years — 31 — 32 — ago that has now about seven hundred volumes, including refer¬ ence books, bound magazines and reports, with two hundred and forty-two volumes in the circulating department; they aver¬ age one hundred and fifty in annual circulation, much of it among the young people. They have a paid librarian. The Bement Woman’s Club is reviving a town library that has been stored away for several years. There are now one thousand volumes. At Charleston the women have organized a library. The DeKalb Woman’s Club has a standing committee on libraries which co-operates with the library board and last win¬ ter collected gift books. The club gave books costing seventy- five dollars to the library. In Effingham there is a “Ladies’ Library” supported by the membership of the Emerson Club members and others. The club year book contains a list of books, for topical reading, that are in the library. The Greenville clubs have been started in consequence of a fifty-year-old library in the town. It is kept in the court house and the ladies serve as librarians. The Henry Woman’s Club library has five hundred volumes and the patronage has increased. The Hinsdale Woman’s Club donates money each year for books for the schools. The Hudson Home Club has resurrected an old time library of fifty volumes, added it to the reading room, which is an important part of their work, and are now adding more books. They hope to make it a township library. Over three hundred have visited the reading rooms in three months in a town of less than three hundred people. They will send last year’s magazines to the schools. The Lacon Woman’s Literary Club has a library of about seven hundred volumes, which it helps maintain. The Lake Forest Coterie has a Committee on Libraries. As a result of their efforts they have now a library of one thous¬ and volumes, catalogued and in charge of a librarian and located in the City Hall building. — 33 The Mt. Vernon Woman’s Club has a small free library. They would like to receive contributions. The Mt. Pulaski Woman’s Literary Club supports a public library. The Paris Woman’s Club with one hundred and fourteen members organized a public library in December, 1897, and have now eight hundred volumes in their club room. Four club members serve as librarians. The janitor work is done by the pupils in the sewing school, also in charge of the club. With thirty-three subscribers they average one hundred and fifty books in a month. It is open two days in the week and is used largely by young people, who read the books aloud to their parents. The Princeton Woman’s Club continues to add books to the Woman’s Club section of the. public library. The River Forest Woman’s Club is working up an interest in a library, and is raising money to build on a lot donated for that purpose. A two-mill library tax has been voted through their influence. The Streator clubs continue to contribute books to the school libraries, and the Savanna Woman’s Club donated the books used in their study class last year, to the public library as usual. The Taylorville Woman’s Club has organized to establish a library. They have made a small beginning and would be glad to receive donations. The Lincoln Woman’s Club has made a donation of valu¬ able reference books to high school library. Cost of same one hundred and ten dollars. The Tuscola Woman’s Club has established a well equipped city library with about one thousand volumes monthly circula¬ tion, and a well selected reference department. By arrange¬ ment of books and pictures, it calls attention to special historic days. Limited space forbids mention of'libraries not closely con¬ nected with women’s clubs. The small libraries can be very materially aided by dona¬ tions from larger clubs and libraries. If these would send from — 34 one to ten books each the result would be from one hundred and fifty to fifteen hundred books placed on shelves where they are needed and not more than twenty to two hundred books be required from each donor. For this work a more substantial class of books might be used than for the average traveling library. This committee could arrange details for transfers to avoid duplicating donations. We have already a call for books bear¬ ing on the history of Illinois to be loaned or donated to a club that will study that subject this winter with a very limited equipment. TRAVELING LIBRARIES. The traveling library enthusiasm is very intense in spots, so to speak, the spots being Champaign, Bureau and Kane counties, in which, as it happens, three members of this commit¬ tee live, who have given them individual attention. N. B.—If we double the committee next year the work will be doubled. The Chicago clubs to which we look for material were slow in responding this year, bnt we have assurance of generous dona¬ tions from some in the recently annexed district. We could use ten times as much as we are promised. The Culture Club of Chicago, that sent a library to Kane county last year, sent one to Champaign county this year. They have formed a good habit that is worth continuing. The Millard Avenue Literary Club is fortunate in having an enthusiastic chairman of the Committee on Libraries. They sent a choice library of one hundred and sixty volumes to a small town two miles from a railroad. This was provided with g. duplicate typewritten catalog for each book. The Nineteenth Century Club of Oak Park has done effective work. They have sent out “Home Libraries”, all juvenile books, to destitute homes in Chicago where the younger mem¬ bers visit them and read from or talk about the books. These will be exchanged. They have culled and classified valuable magazine articles and bound them in manila paper. These will be sent, accord- ing to subject, to the schools, the traveling libraries, or to small clubs not having access to large libraries. Mounted pictures will accompany them when possible. They have collected three traveling libraries in neat oak •cases to be sent out this'fall. The North End Club at Edgewater, sends magazines, etc., to University settlements. The Elgin Woman’s Club sent a box of books to a library just organized in Dakota. They have also donated juvenile books and magazines and pictures to the rural schools through the county. Four clubs of the Quincy Round Table have sent four juvenile libraries of forty volumes each, in neat book cases, to schools a<{ a distance from the public library. These will be interchanged. The Oswego and Newark libraries exchanged two hundred volumes for one year. The Princeton Woman’s Club has sent four libraries of different sizes, one containing one hundred volumes, to county schools, to remain permanently. They are in charge of the teacher who loans them in the district. They have also given three libraries of books and magazines to individual women who are supervising- the circulation. The Champaign Library school raised fifty dollars, bought new books and sent to a rural post office. They received and passed on the Culture Club material and have charge of a library raised by the Champaign Social Science Club, which is in a country store, all in Champaign county. The Paxton Home Culture Club has sent out eight libraries to Champaign county schools, each containing twelve books and twenty-four magazines, suitable for young people. The school directors have asked for these. The Kane County Federation of Women's Clubs represents the work of eight clubs, the Hampshire Wednesday Club, Bur¬ lington Saturday Club, Elgin Woman’s Club, Coffee Club, Perry Literary Club, St. Charles Tuesday Club, Geneva Improvement Association and the Batavia Columbian Club. Only two of — 36 — these, the Elgin Woman’s Club and Batavia Columbian Club,, are members of the State Federation. Last year we reported one library received by the Hamp¬ shire Wednesday Club from the Chicago Culture Club. Since then nine more libraries have been placed in eight districts, one having been burned and replaced. There are now five more ready with calls for twice as many. Of these nine libraries in this county, five are placed in school houses and four in country stores, banks, etc. Those placed in schools are taken home, in many cases, by teachers during vacation and so reach two neighborhoods. ^ One club that was organized to receive a library has since joined the county federation. Of the nine libraries placed this year, three were given by the Elgin Woman’s Club, two each by the Batavia and Geneva, and one each by the St. Charles and Hampshire Clubs. The two oldest libraries were exchanged by the clubs in¬ charge in April, and so were the first traveling libraries in the- state. One fact that seems of especial importance to your com¬ mittee is that both of these clubs receiving the first libraries have passed on new libraries gathered from their own homes, to other districts. We urge January and July as the best months for “travel¬ ing” as that divides the busy and the leisure times on the farms into equal portions. Your committee has prepared a set of suggestions to those collecting books, one to those sending them out, and one for librarians and borrowers, to be pasted into each book. We shall be glad to send these as called for. The Farmers’ Institutes are receiving from their central office sets of fifty books, many of them in line with the work of State Association and Domestic Science. They ask us to co¬ operate by telling about them and by arousing an interest in the books. Prof. Alfred Bayless, State Superintendent of Public In¬ struction, will send libraries to schools from books in his office. We are often met with the idea that this work is unnecessary. — 37 One member of this committee spoke before a Farmer’s Insti¬ tute and held this conversation afterwards with a lady who was in the audience and who said: “I do not want to discourage you, but this work is not needed. Farmers buy books if they want them.” “ Where do you live ?” “Two miles from J.” “Do you use the large library there ? ” “O, yes.” “How about the farmers’ wives who live ten miles out and who rarely come to town ?” “O, I never thought of them.” Prof. Bayless reports that last November in about forty per ■cent, of seventy-five counties of this State there was considerable activity in the matter of school libraries. It behooves us to look after the twenty-five dormant counties and also after the sixty per cent, of the schools in the more active counties. It will require many years of vigorous work before every district in this State is supplied with a library, either in the school house or local store. The following extracts from letters received will give an idea of the value.placed upon this work by those who receive the books. One lady, a farmer’s wife, refined and educated but wearied with over-work and small means, hesitated about taking charge •of the books but is now very enthusiastic. She enjoys them herself and finds her neighbors eager for them. A minister who has charge of one library writes: “It gives me pleasure to assure you of the value of the good work in which you are engaged. Taking this little village, two miles •from a railroad, as a typical case, I am able to say that the books have afforded pleasure to many who have eagerly perused them. The people are intelligent and appreciate good litera¬ ture, but have not the means to buy. There was quite a demand for the books the day they came, the young people are the principal readers at present. I commend the judgment of the ladies who sent so varied a class of books, so that all, even little tots, have something suited to their taste and age. “ Let me add this word of counsel, that you be exceedingly •careful as to the character of the books you place in these libraries, as they are being eagerly devoured by the class chiefly — 3 8 - whose minds are in the plastic and formative stage and liable to* be strongly influenced by the sentiment of the books they peruse.’’ One young man teaching in a rural school writes: “The books in the book case arrived safely and will be a great help to me in my work. I have just organized a class of the young people to study literature and when I tell you that there are not probably more than 200 books in the district, outside my own library, you will see how we shall value those you sent.” One woman hugged and kissed the books and said: “O, I am so glad, I am so glad.” A German woman said: “Well, them was one goodi womans.” Mrs. Sadie Gray Cox expressed the matter so well that I will close with her words: “We want soon to send out a traveling library. We are not content with having things our¬ selves, we want others to enjoy books as well as we. We want the club idea to penetrate to the country where lonely farm women live. We want to send books to them.” Frances LeBaron, Chairman. REPORT OF THE Art Committee. Twenty clubs out of one hundred and ninety-nine belonging to the Federation sent reports to the Art Committee. Since it is unlikely that but twenty clubs engage in art study, the ensuing report may be considered incomplete. From these reports the following encouraging facts are gleaned. Principles of good design in common things are receiving attention from classes, and art study is thus becoming not merely a matter of personal culture but an avenue of public benefit. There is an evident movement to find an outlet for art study in the improvement of homes, schools and towns where clubs exist, and this tendency is particularly welcomed. Nearly every report from Chicago clubs shows work along this line. The Public School Art Society has accomplished much in school room decoration. The Art and Literature depart¬ ment of the Woman’s Club, in addition to study, expenditures for purchase of pictures, and contributions to different lines of work, has adopted the beautification of Chicago as its principal interest. The North End Club promises a fountain or some other work of art to Chicago, and has purchased several pictures. The Arche Club has been active in promoting the art inter¬ ests of the city and devoted three hundred dollars to the pur¬ chase of pictures by American artists. The Lake View Club has collected and mounted one thous- i — 39 — — 40 — and six hundred pictures for public school use. This furnishes „ a valuable suggestion to clubs in smaller towns where there is no art gallery. To sum up, work has been active along the lines of school room decoration, the purchase of pictures, and civic improve¬ ments, while study classes show increased attention to principles of design. The art program of last year’s meeting was devoted to the consideration of this subject, and the response was so great that a second meeting was necessary to accommodate those who could not find room at the first. There seems a growing appreciation of the practical im¬ portance of art, and the power of the united clubs to improve public education and morals through the powerful agency of improved environment. Respectfully submitted for the committee. Lucy Fitch Perkins, Chairman. / REPORT OF THE Committee on Music. As the chairman of this committee has served only since May, the following report may not wholly represent the work done by the federated clubs of Illinois, but it embodies the result of correspondence with vice-presidents of the districts, members of the committee and others. The vice-presidents of three districts, the 18th, 21st and 22nd, report a good number of open air concerts, organ recitals in churches, choruses of children and adults, this work however not supported by woman’s clubs, but by business men and musical societies. Good work in the public schools is often mentioned in the reports, although only two clubs report any active interest in this matter. These reports are mentioned as showing the general interest in music in the State, and the fact that clubs may be alive to musical work going on about them even when they take no direct part in it. Reports from clubs at Hull House, University of Chicago Settlement, Northwestern University Settlement (The Colum¬ bian), Chicago Commons, and Neighborhood House show chorus work by children and adults, lectures on music, Sunday afternoon concerts, study of musical history and literature, and in the case of Hull House a music school conducted under the most favorable conditions for doing thoroughly good work. Reports from Chicago clubs include the following:— An excellent example of the result obtained by the agitation — 4 i — of the study of music as departmental work is furnished by the success of the Music Study Class under the Art and Literature Department of the Woman’s Club. This “Class” was inaugur¬ ated three years ago as an experiment, taking as its subject “The Evolution of Music.” Immediate interest was felt, and it now attracts a very fine audience, the papers and illustrations during the past year having been given mainly by non-members of the club, as a rule well-known professionals contributing to the programs. Music and Musicians of the 18th Century was the subject of study for the past year. This department of the Woman’s Club contributes to the support of musical work in the settlements, and plans even more extensive work outside the club in the future. The Evanston Woman’s Club reports a course of six lectures in its music department, nearly or quite all by non-members. The Chicago South Side Club has a Musical Section, which devoted six meetings to the study of modern composers. The Woman’s Club of Irving Park devoted three meetings to the study of music, as did the Anna B. Holmes Woman’s Club. The Council of Jewish Women report music at each meeting. In Quincy the clubs devote no time to music study, but a committee is appointed from four federated clubs, under whose supervision organ concerts on Sunday afternoons are given by the musicians of the city. Eight have been given in the past two years, and have been a great success, as Quincy has a choral organization. Band concerts are given and music is taught in the public schools; this is the only public work along musical lines the clubs have undertaken. The Woman’s Club of Cairo report bi-weekly meetings devoted to the study of music, with three public musicales dur¬ ing the year. From Dixon.—The Phidian Art Club reports some special attention to music in the last two years, in one of which the music-study followed the lines of art and history work done by the club. In the other, one meeting was devoted to concert program, another was presented by the Derthick Music Club of Dixon. — 43 — The Woman’s Club, of Dixon, reports music at each meet¬ ing and three musicales. The music section of the Springfield Woman’s Club has always been a strong one and the program for next year includes studies of technique, illustrated lectures, etc. The clubs of Monticello, Weldon, Bement, Champaign, Urbana, Bloomington and Hudson report music at their meet¬ ings, the Hudson Club devoting one program of the year to music study. Last year the Bloomington Club arranged a course of free entertainments, one of which was a concert given by the Amateur Musical Club. In addition the supervisor of music in the public schools addressed.the club, illustrating her talk with the work of a class of children from one of the schools. The Savannah Woman’s Literary Club has music at all its meetings, several musical programs which were given on open days, and is working for music in the public schools. It plans for more systematic musical work in the future. The Woman’s Club, of Lincoln, has a music department which has studied modern French composers the past year, maintains a club chorous and reports growing interest in music study. The Pekin Woman’s Club held two meetings devoted to the discussion of music, and also has music at most of its meetings. The Council of Women, of Mattoon, and the Woman’s Clubs, of Delavan and Princeton, each devoted one meeting to music, and the Woman’s Clubs, of Beardstown and Kankakee, report the inauguration of music departments. It is evident that the formation of study classes and music departments in connection with literary clubs is growing, and if clubs will take up the study of music in the same spirit with which they have studied other art and literature, the intelligent understanding of this much-loved and little-understood art will be greatly increased. This work comes so properly under the “Art” of the Art and Literature Department that it seems strange more of the clubs should not have followed this line of work. Doubtless the fact that there are so many and such efficient musical clubs has had much to do with the present state of affairs. 44 — The work in the amateur musical clubs soon passes from the stage of mere entertainment and pleasure to a more serious study, because a deeper significance is felt as knowledge of the art increases. It is a matter of regret that the musical clubs of the State do not join the Federation that they might help to properly correlate music with the other methods of man’s self- expression, and show the true meaning, value and dignity of music to those not familiar with its theory and practice. The committee suggests that members of federated clubs bring this matter before the music clubs. The study of music should have a place on a club program with the end in view of finding out its educational value, so that the club can understandingly and sincerely recommend measures for bringing the best to all the people. When music is a part of any program at a club meeting, the committee should bear in mind the character of the program, and select music and so place it as to make an artistic whole. There are programs in which music seems to be an interruption, or it is improperly introduced. Such considerations as these have much to do' with the enjoyment of music and cultivation of musical taste. The committee offers the following suggestions, which are largely a repetition of last year’s report, since it is not so much the need of new ideas but to urge the working out of those we already have that is felt. FIRST-FREE CONCERTS. The inauguration and support of Sunday afternoon con¬ certs and organ recitals in churches, the encouragement of free band concerts in parks and public squares. SECOND-PUBLIC SCHOOLS. That club women take an active interest in the teaching of music in the schools, and that they see that good instruments are placed in the school-rooms. THIRD —CHORUS WORK. That the work of Mr. Tomlins in Chicago and of Mr. Dam- rosch in New York be studied with a view to its educational and — 45 — social value, and that chorus work for adults and children be •encouraged. FOURTH-MUSIC BOOKS IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES. That clubs should include in their libraries, or their lists sent to public libraries, books on music and music journals; also that if standard music could be obtained at our public libraries, it would prove a well-spring of pleasure to a deserving class who have not the means to purchase high class music. FIFTH-EXCHANGES. That if members of the music departments of the larger •clubs would signify, through the Reciprocity Bureau, their will¬ ingness to read papers which they may have already prepared, for their expenses, many of the village clubs would be glad to obtain their services. Cora Stanton Brown, Chairman. REPORT OF Industrial Committee. This committee was created at the last annual meeting of the Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs, and each affiliated club was urged, in the fifth annual announcement, to appoint a local committee to co-operate with the State committee: First—In ascertaining each in its own locality how many children of compulsory school age attend school throughout the school year, and how the time is spent by those who attend only fourteen weeks or less. Second—In ascertaining what products purchased chiefly by women (food, garments, furniture, books, etc.), are manu¬ factured in its locality, and whether conditions of manufacture are satisfactory (i) as to cleanliness and (2) as to treatment of employes. Third—In interesting the members of the legislature in the truant school bill and in all pending state legislation involving the interests of working women and children. In promoting the enactment of a postal savings bank bill by Congress. Fourth—In creating centers for the employment of women, and in co-operating with the Association of Young Women’s Clubs of Chicago for this purpose through its center, known as The Business Women’s Exchange and Home Science Bureau; and in investigating employment bureaus. Less than a dozen clubs—only two outside Cook county— responded. From many other clubs the chairman of this com- -46- 47 - mittee has received reports of work done in contributing to the support of lodging houses, industrial and jail schools, etc., showing that the purpose of the Industrial Committee has not been understood. Working clubs have long had philanthropic and reform departments, and it should be clear that the Industrial Com¬ mittee was not created to divide labor already undertaken, but to widen the sphere of club activity by representing the mem¬ bership in some new field of labor. It is hoped that in the convention of the Federation now near at hand the purposes and need of industrial committees will be thoroughly discussed, and that if the State Committee be continued, some active work can be done with the co-operation of local committees. Alzina P. Stevens, Chairman.