highly perfected system for putting them where they will count. This
year, with the aid of state authorities, it put an illustrated folder
with simple questions and answers on forest protection in the hands of
every school child in the Pacific Northwest, an enterprise requiring the
printing and complicated distribution of thousands of pounds of material.
It furnishes state officials and others with practically all the mottoes
and catchy material used for posters and other publicity matter in the
West. It has even placed this kind of thing in the time folders of every
railroad traversing our forest regions.
I cannot take your time to recite the many other activities of our
coöperative movement, but these will indicate its scope and method. The
Northwestern timber owner is doing his part to protect your resources
that he holds in trust. If Congress, state and public will do as much,
you have little to fear.
Chairman VESSEY—I now take pleasure in introducing Mr. Ferdinand G.
Schwedtman of St. Louis, chairman of the delegation of manufacturers of
the U. S. A. I have the honor to present him to you.
[Mr. Schwedtman’s paper is to be found in Supplementary Proceedings.]
Chairman VESSEY—The next speaker is William Edward Coffin of New York,
vice-president of the Camp Fire Club of America.
[Mr. Coffin’s paper is in Supplementary Proceedings.]
Chairman VESSEY—I wish to introduce Dr. George W. Field, representing the
National Audubon Society.
[Dr. Field’s paper will be found in Supplementary Proceedings.]
Chairman VESSEY—Is Mr. McBrien, representing the National Educational
Association, here?
Is Mr. Edward R. Taylor, representative of the Electrochemical Society,
here?
Mr. TAYLOR—It is my pleasure to represent the American Electrochemical
Society. There are ten thousand chemists in the United States. They
are largely concerned in the working out of economic problems and the
best utilization of all substances capable of adding to our material
prosperity. Many of these chemists are members of the American Chemical
Society, the American Electrochemical Society, the American Institute of
Chemical Engineers, and the Society of Chemical Industry, all of which
societies are deeply interested in the best conservation of our natural
resources and are in full sympathy with the objects of this Congress.
Chairman VESSEY—We will next hear the president of the Iowa Federation of
Women’s Clubs. Is Mrs. M. H. Weller present? Those who have papers that
will take five or ten minutes to read can just speak on a short synopsis
of their papers, and have the papers filed. They will be able to say
more, so that the people will understand it better than if they only read
part of the paper.
Mrs. Weller was not present.
Chairman VESSEY—Is Mrs. Carl Vrooman, representing the D. A. R., here?
I am very much pleased to present her to you. (Applause)
Mrs. VROOMAN—Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: I feel weighted with
a heavy weight of responsibility, as I am here to represent 77,000
Daughters of the American Revolution in general, but the chairman of the
conservation committee of this organization in particular—a woman who
has, I venture to say, done more for the cause of conservation than any
other woman of our day—I was about to say than almost any man—since she
is the very proud mother of Mr. Gifford Pinchot.
This society of women, “federated and organized”—to quote Mr. Pinchot,
“spells only another name for the highest form of conservation, that
of vital force and intellectual energy.” These 77,000 women do indeed
represent a perfect Niagara of splendid ability and force—enough, if
intelligently harnessed and directed, to furnish the motive power to keep
revolving all the wheels of progress in this country.
But to revert from what we might do and ought to do in general, to
what we have done and intend to do in particular, for conservation, a
remark made by the Right Honorable John Burns of England, concerning the
American people, might apply perhaps with equal force to our two-year-old
conservation committee: “The American people,” said Mr. Burns, “is a very
young colt in a very large field.”
The very able first chairman of this committee, Mrs. Amos Draper,
inaugurated and carried on during the first year a most energetic
campaign, a report of which you had submitted at the last Conservation
Congress in St. Paul. The next year, however, illness compelled her
resignation, when Mrs. Orton, of Cleveland, O., whose work in behalf
of children is well known, took the chairmanship for the ensuing six
months, during which time the committee concentrated its chief energies
in efforts to help secure legislation for the protection and conservation
of that greatest asset the Nation has—its children.
Now that we are standing well on our feet, a committee with Mrs. Pinchot
at our head, with over one hundred women on the National Committee,
representing each state, and a state chairman for every state, with
every chapter represented on the state conservation committee, we hope
we have the country well honeycombed with women who will take an active
and intelligent interest in conservation. And aided and abetted by the
National Conservation Association, which has promised to furnish us
with all the ammunition we need, we intend to carry on an aggressive
warfare, or, to speak less militantly, an active campaign of education.
For we feel, in the words of our President General, that women today—even
without any articulate voice in the councils of state—without the vote
that so many are striving for, and think is essential—women today, when
thoroughly aroused and awake to their present unquestioned opportunities
and responsibilities, as well as to their problematical rights, can wield
an incalculable influence, and become most potent and resistless factors
for good in helping create a healthy public sentiment—in stimulating
to higher activity that organ of the body politic (so often prone to
paralysis) known as the civic conscience.
But since education, like charity, should begin at home, we intend,
first of all, to educate ourselves. And, for this purpose, a number of
our members have come from different parts of the country to attend this
Congress and learn all we can about this problem of conservation.
We are glad to know that an officer of this association has written such
a capital book on conservation, and we shall make it a point to advertise
Mr. Price’s book, “The Land We Live In,” among the women of the country.
We hope soon to have a department on current conservation news in our D.
A. R. Magazine, giving every month items of conservation interest, which
can be supplied later to the local papers.
We expect also to have something to say about the importance of teaching
conservation in the public schools—not necessarily as a part of the
curriculum, for children are fairly swamped these days with a surfeit of
extra studies—but we do feel that conservation as opposed to wastefulness
everywhere (especially in the form of domestic economy) should be
emphasized and inculcated as are other virtues—such as truth, patriotism,
obedience.
Conservation in the kitchen is one of the most important problems in
American life, and I believe I am safe in saying that that modern knight
errant, Dr. Wiley, and his board of conservation of human health by means
of pure food, has the enthusiastic and whole-hearted support of every one
of our 77,000 daughters to a unit.
I should like to say in passing that another man we are behind—heart and
soul in his fearless fight with the beast in our modern jungle—is that
man who has made it his business and his mission to reclaim not waste
lands, but waste lives—that great-hearted champion of the children, and
of the people—Judge Ben Lindsey, first citizen of Denver and one of the
first citizens of the United States.
I am aware that this is far from being an orthodox report, as it is more
prospective than retrospective, and deals rather with what we intend
to do than what we have already done, but we are drinking in so much
inspiration here, and getting so many new ideas, that next year you may
expect from us a _bona fide_ report, fairly bristling with businesslike
facts and statistics.
May I say just one more word? In addition to this definite program of
tangible things we want to carry out, we pledge you something else,
which, although it cannot be weighed and measured and appraised at
its face value, after all may be as worth while as the sum total of
what we actually achieve in a concrete way, and that is our unswerving
loyalty to the spirit of what this association stands for—to put it
rather pompously—our moral backing and support in this business you have
undertaken to help conserve the best interests of our country—a business
in which we have no intention of being altogether “silent partners,”
although we are women!
We may not, it is true, formulate any new policies for you, or launch
any issues, or make any very original contributions to your program, but
there is one thing women can bring into a movement of this kind, and
that is—to use a very much overworked word—“atmosphere.” Even if women
don’t dig down into the earth—even if we daughters don’t actually dig
down into the earth, like you horny-handed sons of toil—women may yet
bring with them, when they put their hearts, as well as their hands, into
a thing, an atmosphere that, like the air and sunshine, is absolutely
indispensable to a good crop, to a bountiful harvest, an atmosphere that
makes ideas sprout and grow, and ideals expand and develop and take
deeper root in the subsoil of the masculine mind!
So, then, we bring today to this Congress our heartfelt sympathy with
its ideals—a sympathy that is born of a certain intuitive perception
we have—not by any means of all the intricate problems involved in
this question of conservation—but a perception of the principles which
are at stake, and we promise you our whole-hearted allegiance to those
principles, as well as our contagious enthusiasm, in this splendid
crusade, to conserve not only the vast natural resources of this country,
on which depends our national prosperity, but those ideals of public as
well as of private morality, which we realize we must sacrifice for,
and defend and conserve and make to prevail, if, in the words of the
Athenians, which might well be the motto of the Apostles of American
Conservation, “we would transmit our fatherland not only not less but
better and greater than it was transmitted to us.”
Delegate BAUMGARTNER of California—I want to extend a vote of thanks on
behalf of the entire audience by your leave, to the Lord High Chancellor
of the Bell for not having rung it on the last speaker. All in favor of
the motion say aye. Carried unanimously.
Mr. T. L. MCBRIEN—A while ago my name was called to speak for the
committee representing the National Educational Association. I would like
to say that the committee of five representing the National Educational
Association met and unanimously selected Professor J. M. Greenwood to
speak for our association. We want to call attention to the fact that he
is the senior in educational work, having been thirty-eight years at the
head of the Kansas City schools, and there is no other who has such a
record.
Chairman VESSEY—We have a request from the National Educational
Association that it be represented by Mr. Greenwood. Shall we hear from
Prof. Greenwood now, or go on with the program?
(Cries of “Hear him now.”)
Chairman VESSEY—Prof. Greenwood.
Professor GREENWOOD—I would suggest you go on with the regular order of
business.
(Cries of “Greenwood! Greenwood!”)
Professor GREENWOOD—Ladies and Gentlemen: The National Educational
Association of the United States is the largest educational association
in the world. The last session held in San Francisco enrolled 18,000
teachers from all parts of our country, and at the Boston session in 1905
there were 35,000 teachers in attendance. This organization represents in
the broadest way the interests of the children of our country, and for
more than fifty years it has been endeavoring to solve the great problems
confronting our people. It represents the people of the South, of the
North, of the East and of the West, and it has been one of the most
important factors in bringing our people closely together when they were
divided, not only by armies facing each other when homes were destroyed,
but sadness was at every fireside. This was the organization that
immediately after the Civil war brought our men and women who are working
for the interests of our entire Nation together. This organization is
represented here by a representative from the State of Arkansas, and by
one from the State of Nebraska, and by one from the great State of Iowa,
and by another one from the State of Kansas, and by another from the
State of Missouri, and we have got to be shown. Mr. President, we will
draft and submit a resolution to your committee at the proper time. There
are just three things, it seems to me, that a public speaker who comes
upon the platform ought to know—what to say, how to say it, and when to
quit. (Applause)
Chairman VESSEY—We will now present on the regular program Dr. Frederick
B. Mumford, dean of the University of Missouri, at Columbia.
Dr. MUMFORD—Ladies and Gentlemen: The limits of the time allowed for
this subject are such that I shall have no time for the general subject
of conservation. I hope, therefore, you will bear with me through this
paper. I will confine myself somewhat closely to it, because in so doing
I will say what I want to say in the shortest possible time.
[Dr. Mumford’s paper will be found in Supplementary Proceedings.]
Chairman VESSEY—Next on the program is Mrs. Harriet Wallace Ashby of
Des Moines, on the subject, “The Farmer’s Wife.” I have the pleasure of
presenting to you Mrs. Ashby. (Applause)
Mrs. ASHBY—The conservation movement, of which this National Conservation
Congress is the exponent, has for its object the transmission of our
natural resources, unimpaired, to posterity.
Any movement for the promotion of the farmer’s interest must, if it is
to be a success, receive the support not only of the farmer, but also of
the farmer’s wife. The first problem of the farmer is how to increase
farm products through better farming; the first problem of the farmer’s
wife is how to improve the condition of the farm home. The mistakes of
the husband in his sphere during one season may be corrected in the next;
the mistakes made by the wife in rearing her children are never entirely
corrected.
Believing as I do, that the great problems of farm life as they pertain
to us wives and mothers can only be solved through coöperation and
organized effort, I wish to advocate the union of farmers’ wives in
country women’s clubs with the object of breaking up the monotonous
routine of farm life and for the discussion of anything and everything
pertaining to the betterment of farm home.
The salvation of most families depends on the mother; she is the one
who does so much to make for the happiness, health and long life of
her family. The health of any mother is liable to fail under her
responsibilities; the farm mother is especially subject to physical
breakdown, for she not only bears the responsibility of rearing her
family, but she also shares the anxieties of her husband if, as should
always be the case, the farmer’s wife is his business partner and
assistant farm manager.
The farmer’s wife is a most important factor in the conservation of the
soil, for she will in a large measure determine the efficiency of the
farmer. Then, too, the attitude of the wife towards the farm, and her
success in making a happy farm home largely determine whether or not the
country boy remains on the farm.
The average country boy is devoted to his mother. How that mother would
like to clear the obstacles from his track, and to give him the best the
world affords. If the mother feels that the farm offers no future for her
boy, the chances are the farm will lose the boy. The training which the
boy reared in the city must secure before he can be an efficient farm
worker, and for which he must spend time, money and enthusiasm, is the
very training which the country boy absorbs from his infancy, and which
makes him the most valuable tiller of the soil.
The farmer’s wife has for so many years taken no thought for herself
that her now misguided conscience reproaches her if she leaves home when
there is work to be done, to attend a club meeting, or if she spends ever
so small a sum of money to save herself. A neighborhood club with its
exchange of experiences with labor saving tools will teach the folly of
expending strength and energy when by spending a little money to secure
convenience and ease in work, the farm mother may be conserved to her
family, and continue to be a help in the busy world. All farm women have,
in a large degree, the same experiences, and therefore they can and
should help each other. They should meet to discuss problems of mutual
interest; they should organize country clubs with the object of securing
the best conditions in their home life; of broadening the outlook of the
home; of encouraging a social spirit and of elevating the character of
farm life.
THE FARMER’S DAY’S WORK.
One of the most vital problems with which the farmer’s wife has to do is
how to shorten the farmer’s workday. The practice of working from sun up
to nightfall and afterwards doing the chores is driving the boys from
the farm. If all the farmers in a neighborhood would quit work in time
for a 6 o’clock supper, a long stride would be taken towards making the
farm home an ideal home. Most business men’s work closes with the day,
but how about the farmer and his family? When townspeople are at leisure
our husbands and sons are milking the cows, bedding the horses, and doing
the rest of the chores. They wear overalls so many hours of the week that
they are not entirely at ease in other clothes. They are too tired to
keep up their interest in the outside world, frequently falling to sleep
over the newspaper. Indeed, to bed is about the only place this exhausted
man of the early evening is fit to go, for a tired man is not a social
creature.
Washing dishes after a late supper with a nodding husband in the next
room and your nearest neighbor from a quarter to a mile away does
not foster love for the farm. It need not be wondered at that we are
insisting that the farm day must be shortened and some time be given to
the development of the mental and spiritual, as well as the physical side
of the family.
You may remember how the little waif, Glory Maguire, as she looked
through the windows at rich children’s parties use to lament: “Oh, the
good times going on in the world, and me not in them!” We farmers’
wives want some of the good times that are going on in the world for
our children; we want a social center; a club room where neighborhood
gatherings can be held. We want a neighborhood library, a live church
and an up-to-date school. If our children are to be more than little
animals, they must go to church and Sabbath school; they must have a well
ventilated, well lighted school room and an experienced teacher.
Men and women of mature judgment are placed at the head of town schools,
where suitable courses of instruction and the most approved methods are
pursued. The graded school teacher refers any case of insubordination,
any report of vulgarity, any question of discipline, to her
superintendent, yet these same teachers have been required to take months
of training and practicing on country pupils before they were permitted
to teach in town under a superintendent.
The country schools should have trained teachers; teachers of sound
judgment in understanding the nature of the child and tact in dealing
with him. A live, progressive teacher in every country neighborhood is
often the little leaven which “leaveneth the whole lump.” We need fewer
classes in the country schools; the long study periods are productive of
inattention and mischief. If a child is permitted to spend this study
time in idling and reading inferior fiction, he loses the power of
concentration on his lessons and his taste for solid reading.
We need a well selected library planned for systematic reading; we need
recitation benches and desks which will not produce spinal troubles.
We need attractive school rooms, better furniture, good pictures and
instructive maps. Part of the returns of the farm invested in the school
is one of the farmer’s best investments, for all the improvements in
the condition of farm life must come through education. Many helpful
innovations on the farm have come about through a discussion of what the
child learned at school.
We also need better playground facilities. Thousands of country children
don’t know how to play. When they are at school there is nothing to play
with; when they are at home there are chores, unending chores, to be done.
There is work right here for country women’s clubs to do in supplying
the school grounds with tennis, croquet, and any other equally Wholesome
and good sports which children can enjoy. Hence we must plan to meet and
discuss our mutual problems. We need the stimulating influence which an
exchange of ideas and the enthusiastic coöperation of club membership
bring. We can accomplish much by the concerted effort which can only
follow a reasonable getting together on the part of the farmers’ wives.
Working the handle of a dry pump won’t bring results that a little
priming brings. Women won’t attend a club unless they get results; they
must have something to help them through the week—reading courses, and a
study program, as well as the social half hour. We should study dietetics
and learn how to balance the day’s food; to provide such articles as
will feed as well as fill the family stomach. Man must eat to live, but
he need not eat nearly so much if we give him the right kinds of food.
The more we study our business, the more attractive it becomes; when we
cease studying it, we lose interest in our work. So country women are
organizing clubs for discussion and study. When a club is conducted in
an orderly manner, and every member made to feel personally responsible
for its success, when its membership is small enough to seem like a big
family, yet large enough to gain and hold interest of the members, it
will work a revolution in a country neighborhood. Wherever a country
women’s club has been organized, the women report that it gives them
new energy for their home work. Out of a small club at Adair, Iowa,
have grown so many smaller clubs that a joint picnic of the members and
friends brought out a crowd of nearly 1,000 persons. These ladies have
issued a cook book, with the proceeds from which they are enlarging their
sphere of usefulness.
Another club, the Daughters of Ceres, at Bedford, Iowa, issues a calendar
for the year’s work, which compares favorably with the work of any club.
Country women’s clubs are usually short of money, and difficulty is
sometimes experienced in securing books for study. Would it not be well
for every state to supply a reading course for farmers’ wives after the
example of the Cornell Reading Course? If the Government would send out
a bulletin containing the essential rules of order for country clubs
it would be a great help in conducting meetings. A meeting must be
regarded seriously and conducted with dignity to get the best results.
A little time and money expended in helping the women is well spent.
When Secretary Shaw lived in Iowa he owned a number of farms. It was his
practice to give to his tenants’ wives pure bred cocks and turkey toms.
A neighbor remonstrated with him, saying: “You are making our tenants’
wives discontented. We cannot afford to give away pure bred poultry.”
Secretary Shaw replied: “When I help the women with their poultry, I
always get my rent.”