THE OREGON DAILY JOURNAL, PORTLAND, MONDAY EVENING, LI AY 5, 1013.
Oregon Eugenics Exposition
Attracts Nation's Attention
So Successful Was Last Year's Exhibit at Salem State Fair
That the Legislature Has-Doubled the Appropria-
tion for 1913 to $1000.
ffi OF IIFJiu
lil DRESSES FOi
on
m
lr -
lly O. M. riuuinier, Superintendent
Oregon Exposition of Eugenics.
It wag djirlng one of the rare periods
6f sunshine at the state fa at Salem
In 1911, that the writer . in company
with N. C. Marls, one of the members
of the Oregon board of agriculture,
stood In the arena watching the judge
place the ribbons on a splendid line
of Junior Shorthorn calves,, that, the
thought flashed through his mind: wny
should not the fathers and. mothers of
Orcsron- take as much pride In a far
. mor important- production, that ot their
barles7 n 1 - . ' ' ';
This Idea was given to Mr. .Marls,
who Instantly became enthusiastic over
the proposition find stated that In bla
mind a showing of babies at which
physical fitness should determine the
prize winners Instead of doll-like beauty,
would be one of the features of the
fair and 'suggested that Immediate steps
be taken to present the matter to the
state board of agriculture. ,
Upon presentation of the subject be
, ore the. board they were Inclined to
be a little pesslmlstlc.'thlnklng the pub
lic hardly ready to have their ennaren
classed as livestock. .In conversation
with Mr. Marls the following spring, the
matter was again brought up, and as
, the subject of eugenics was being wide
ly discussed over the entire world, It
was suggested that our contest be
: called an exposition of eugenics.
" Attract Wide Attention,
A few days later the state fair board
appropriated $600-for an exposition of
eugenlcs-ta.be Held during tne ma
fair at Salem. Inquiries began to pour
in immediately from all over the coun
try regarding the matter. Mrs. Watts.
of Iowa, who had held a contest under
similar conditions in her own state tho
. previous year, wrote many splendid sug
gestions. Dr. Mary Elizabeth Bates,
- of Denver, at once got In touch with
the Oregon Idea and on the strength of
it initiated a movement for a similar
exposition to be given Jn the early win
ter of I13.
- The management of the eugenics sec
tion at the state fair was gin over
to the Women's Medical association of
the "state of Oregon, represented by
President Kitty Plummer Gray, who as
soclated with herself Dr. Mae Cardweli,
Dr. Mary V. Madlgan, Dr. Mary Mac
Lachlan, Dr. Lavina Spurier and many
other well known women of the pro
fession both in Portland and out over
' the state.
The Mothers' Congress, of Oregon,
represented by its president, Mrs. R.
H. Tate, was given general charge of
the Child Welfare exhibit: Mrs. W. W.
Williams, president of the Woodlawn
circle, being given immediate charge.
To Mrs. Williams' very careful prelimi
nary planning was due to a great ex
tent the success of the entire exposi
tion, and her associates from all over
the state and different organizations,
were unanimous in their praise ojf her
work.
Possibly orfe of the most popular sec
tions of the exposition was the mater
nity section Installed by Miss McNary,
superintendent of the Salem hospital,
-and demonstrated by Miss Wishart. At
almost any time of the day an atten
tive group might be found listening to
Nurse Wishart or watching her dem
onstrations of the care of infants. This
department was very completely
equipped, due in a large measure to the
kindness of Woodard, Clarke & Co.
Great Demand for Publications.
The Oregon library commission, un
der its secretary, Miss Cornelia Mar
vin, took great Interest in the work
and made a very full exhibit The Ore-,
gon Agricultural college was enthusias
tic in its support, while the Oregon
State Grange, represented by its child!
welfare committee, Mrs. Buxton, of
Forest Grove, Mrs. Dickinson, of Os
wego, and Mrs. Vale, of Portland, were
a host in themselves.
-Therllterature section of the Oregon
Congress of Mothers, in charge ot Mrs.
I. M. Walker, assisted by Mrs. William
Hayhurst, Mrs. Balrd and others, was
overwhelmed by the demand for their
publications, and Mrs. Walker stated
that at no other child welfare exhibit
had so much interest been shown in
their pamphlets.
Another department which attracted
much attention was the amusement
booth presided over by Mrs. A. N. Bush,
of Salem. . .
The large charts scattered through
the exhibit, teaching the eugenio and
euthenlc truths attracted many a father
and mother and also appealed very
keenly to the young people about to
enter womanhood and manhood.
Many lectures were given during the
week by well known physicians on live
.topics and Dr. William House addressed
a meeting of . the Oregon Pure Bred
Livestock association, at which 150 well
known breeders were present, on the
subject ofeugenics.
Children who' had been winners at
local contests all over the state were
sent to Salem, to represent their county,
In many- instances accompanied y in
terested delegations,
Appropriation Increased This Tear.
Three days were given, over to the
examination of these children by the
women physicians who had donated
- their time. - Many parents brought their
children for examination, who stated
that under no circumstances would they
have allowed their children to compete
In a beauty show. During the exami
nation the physicians in charge were
' giving the parents good advice as to the
future raising ot their children; were
pointing, out a good feature here and a
weakness there, and in many ways cull
ing attention to Blight defects which
the parents had never known.
After the score cards had been care
fully sorted, it was discovered the grand
' champion boy and girl were second
cousins, and that their great- grand
father was one of the well known pio
neer ministers of'Oregon. , ;
So successful -was last year's expo
sition that without any hesitation what
cver, the state board appropriated
$1000 for the eugenio section for this
year. ,
State fair of tibials ail over the United
-States were quick o realise the tre
mendous possibilities of this new feat
ure and over twenty-five state fair as
sociations have already notified -the dl
'rector ot Oregon's exposition of" eu
genics that similar departments would
be addedJto their wn fairs. Also the
Panama-Paciji International Expost
, Hon at Ban Franalsco has decided to
make an exposition pf eugenics one ot
the very important features of Its so
cial-economy section. This year the!
hew. olulrs. local nMLatSrutu.4ouai
school and othr organizations have in-
'dlcajted a desire to take part in a state
wide movement, -'
The parental bureau, now retnbllnhed
J, on the fifth (loor of. the vounty court
' house. Is the direct outgrowth of this
exposition- and at. the preaent time no
one can conceive of Its future possi
bilities, and without doubt the. state leg
islature at its , next session, will make
adequate .provision for its future main
tenance. '
So very thoroughly has Oregon's suc
cess in its eugenics been noised over the
world, the Woman's" Home Companion
of New York sent Anna Steese Richard
son here to gather material for a story,
a resume of which appeared in. the Sun
day Journal for May 4.
Below is given the - classification
which will govern the eugenio depart
ment at the state fair this year'. Ore
gon today leads the world in Us ap
preciation -of : the one best crop, its
babies:
Eules Governing Contest.,'
One Competition open only to child
ren of parents who are bona fide resi
dents of the state of Oregon. ' No entry
fees. Entries close September 28 at 9
o'clock p. m. ,- All children whose entries
are made subsequent to this date will
be scored after those regularly entereJ,
but will not be ehtltleU to compete
for a premium.
Two. -Entries must be made on
blanks especially prepared, which will
fie Sent upon application to O, M. Plum
mer, superintendent, North Portland,
Or., who will also furnish any other
information with reference to the de
partment. -. . ; . I
Three. Parents ftre requested to
make their entries as early as possible,
in order that the management may have
sufficient time to tabulate and arrange
appointments for same. Parents .will
be notified of the day and hour set for
the examination of their children, and
while it will not be absolutely compul
sory that they be presented at that time,
it is earnestly requested that the dates
assigned be adhered to as' much as pos
sible, in order that there may be no
congestion and all children receive the
proper attention. Children not presented
for examination at the time assigned,
will have to wait until such time as
will 'suit the convenience of the man
agement - Four. In furtherance of - the educa
tional value of this contest, all prize
winning children will be expected to be
presented tor exhibition at a date and
hour to be fixed by the management.
Silver cups will be presented at this
time.
Classification.
j I CLASS 75 BOYS.'
(Children from cities of 8000 and over
in population.)
1 Over 1 year and under 2, first, $25
cup; second, $16 cup; third, $10 cup.
2 Over 2 years and under J. first,
$25 cup; second, $15 cup; third, $10 cup.
3 Over 8 years and under 4, first, $25
cup; second, $15 cup; third, $10 cup.
GIRLS.
4 Over 1 year and under 2, first, $25
cup; second, $15 cup; third, $10 cup.
6 Over 3 years and under 3, first, $25
cup; second, $15 cup;-thlrd, $10 cup.
6 Over 3 years and under 4, first, $25
cup; second, $15 cup; third, $10 cup.
(Children from cities under 8000 in
population and from country).
CLASS 76 BOYS.
7 Over 1 year and under 2, first, $25
cup; second, $15 cup; third, $10 cup.
8 Over 2 years and under 3, first, $25
cup;, second, .$15 cup; third, $10 cup.
9 Over 3 year and under 4, first, $25
cup; second, $15 cup; third, $10 cup.
. GIRLS.
10 Over 1 year and under 2, first,
$25 cup; second, $15 cup; third $10 cup.
11 Over 2 years and under 3, first,
$25 cup;-second, $16 cup; third, $10 cup.
12 Over 3 years and under 4, first,
$25 cup; second, $15 cup; third, $19 cup.
13 Grand champion boy of Oregon,
$50 cup.
14 Grand champion girl of Oregon,
$60 cup. '
SPECIALS.
The management of the Woman's
Home Companion, New Yorkr has set
aside a fund of $50,000 to promote the
study of eugenics and of "Better
Babies" over the entire United States,
and offers the following special prizes
for the 1913 Oregon State Fair:
$100 in gold for the highest scoring
baby In class 75.
$100 in gold for the highest scoring
baby fn class 78.
Of these two prize winners, the one
with the highest scoring will receive
a gold medal appropriately inscribed,
the other will receive a silver medal.
Two bronze medals, will also be awarded,
one to the second highest scoring baby
in class 76, and the other to the second
highest scoring baby in class 76.
To each of these four prize winners
a handsome certificate appropriately
framed will be presented. '
ORIGINAL SAYINGS OF
During a geography lesson, the pri
mary pupils were told that a cataract
was a large waterfall.
Mary reached home that evening with
a very soiled dress and explained the
condition of her clothes by telling her
mother that she had taken a cataract
la4h-tree
Mamma corrected her daughter Jn, the
pronunciation of the word peony.-"The
daughter in a very disgusted tone said,
"Mamma, I guess I should know; I
have been to school since you have."
Martin had been to school fortho
first. time and on reaching home said:
"Mamma, teacher kissed me." "Well,
Martin, why do you suppose she kissed
you?" "I guess she Just had to kiss
something."
A little girl trying to read a note
written by her mother saidi "Mamma,
did you ever get 100 in writing when
you were a little girl?"
Pupil "The father of Columbus wat
a hair dresser."
Teacher '-'How dld'you get the Idea?"
-. Pupil "The history says that he
was a wool comber."
Teacher--"What Is at governess 7"
PupiWA lady governor,"'
A" strait is a rlvtr that keen two
bodies of 1 wa.ter from running to
getner."
Teacher-f "Peter, -apell link and give
a sentence using the word."
Peter "L-l-n-k. I have a Lincoln
penny."4 .-'' - . .
"Mamma, why .does : not Pealdent
Wileflv4lJafMa.goo4lliraiaiig
then they would act-better?"
"Perhaps he doesn't think so."
' "Yes, but they would, for I tried It
erl the twe in ur school yesterday "
- "El wood, why does your teacher love
you?" "Heeause I. am so clean." ''How
ARTICLES FOR HOUSEHOLD USE MADE BY BOYS AND GIRLS OF LENTS SCHOOL
,K fe
OREGON MOTHERS' -. fS S
CONGRESS NEEDS K 3 iH; ' c r'
Permanent Place With Mother
in Charge,- Urged; Chau
. . tauqua Aids..
By Anna Roberts Stephonson, Chair
man of Chautauqua Committee.
In its formative period, when the Or
egon Congress of Mothers was seeking
ways to carry the message of "Mother
love and Mother thought" to the many
Interested women of the state a place
was made for this mission in the Chau
tauqua program at Gladstone. Before
ine congress was a year old it had es
tablished at Chautauqua a kindergarten
which was conducted by Mrs. Berk
holder. In 1908 realizing how valuable
the kindergarten was to them, the Chau
tauqua management erected a kinder
garten pavilion for the permanent use
of the Oregon Congress of Mothers.
Each year since, the congress has had
a. trained kindergartener and her assist
ant in charge.
Five cents is charged for the child's
care and training in this delightful child
school, each morning. Every after
noon the kindergarten is turned Into a
play room and again the teachers he
come the leaders ef systematized play.
The records for 1912 show a total at
tendance of 270 children in the kinder
garten for the 10 day session, Miss Ahl
gren being the teacher; while the at
tendance at the afternoon play was
161 for the same length of time. .
In carrying on this work at Chau
tauqua, the Congress of Mothers has
realized its great responsibility In pro
viding speakers, at the forum hour, who
would be able not only to give instruc
tion in the true essentials of parent
hood but also to set 'Intelligent people
thinking of their relation-to the neg
lected child.
The Chautauqua motto of the. Oregon
Congress of Mothers is: "To interest
men and women to cooperate in the
work of purer, truer home life, better
trained parenthood, and well developed
childhood."
On the "Mothers' Congress day" at
Chautauqua it is the aim that the Round
Table at 4 p. m. shall be the climax of
long remembered day. Last July it was
indeed an Inspiration to hear the heart
to heart talks on the "Mother Inspira
tion." Over 120 women were present.
As the committee closes up the work
of the season at the Chautauqua as
sembly, numerous questions present
themselves. As we pack and store our
meager equipment for another year,
these questions Insist on rising:
Why don't more mothers take ad
vantage of the Chautauqua kindergar
ten? What would we do with them if
more camel Note, Miss Ahlgren says
we have only one-half enough chairs
now and our tables are too highl
-Why can't thef)rtgon Congress of
Mothers have headquarters with a
mother in charge during the entire ses
sion? . ''
As the answer to these questions lies;
within the province of each parent
teacher circle in JTjltnomah county, we
shall hope that before the 1913 Chautau- j
qua convenes our greatest ambitions
may be realized.
PORTLAND CHILDREN
often do you take a bath?" "Every
other Sunday."
A mountain is a valley turned up
side down."
Bennle (aged six) The three great
est men In the world are God, Santa
Xllajia-ana Papa "' .-.
Teacher "Johnnie, find the word
cat." Johnnie's finger wandered over
the page for some time, then looking up
at his teacher, said,,- "Anr I hot or
cold?" . x - -
Marlon (aged six) "Papa, what Is
the name of your new Janitor?"
Papa "Mr. Wall.",
Marlon "Why, Paj?a, how tall and
thin he must be."
Johnnie who had been 111 for some
time begged his mother for a new- doc
tor. ."Why don't you ask God to make you
well." asked the mother.
"I did, Mamma, but God is so slow,
ana, I am in a nurry to get well."
. Teacher "Give a sentence using the
wora maioniess, ' h
Mary "The old maid was matchless."
Teacher "What is a parlor?"
Pupil "A place where they won't let
children go." ,
'The "East Side" school organized a
Parent-Teachers' association one year
ago. Mrs. F. Swingle. is president
We havt held seven monthly meet
ings when the following topic! have
been discussed: "Hgw We, as Parents,
a 'Assist, in the , gnhnols'j't "AgfUat-f
ture"; "Lsre of the Eye and Ear"; "What
books a Child Should Read;" "Montes
sorrl Method of Teaching;" "Uniform
. V have a. membership of K. nr
child welfare ddy at the Ashland Chau
tauqua was a splendid success. - -
; ASHLAND r '
I - ft J I
if YmmI; -T-- - ill
Section of the
TO R-ESPONSIBIUTY
State Literature Committee of
Parent-Teachers Associa
tion Reports.
"He who helps a child helps
0 humanity with a distinctness,
with an immedlateness, which
no other help given to human
creatures In any other stage of
4 their human life can possibly
give again."
By Mrs." I. M. Walker.
Chairman of State Literature Committee.
The aim of the literature department
of the Parent-Teacher association has
been to put such literature into the
hands of parents that would enable
them "to get a broader, truer Insight
Into the child's every day life.
To - arouse parents to a greater re
sponsibility and duty, urging them to
read, think and talk more on vital sub
jects pertaining to child training, thus
assisting them to better prepare them
selves to give the child ideas and train
ing that will help him to discover him
self and open the way to a great and
glorious entrance into right living. "He
who violates a principle of right
chooses for himself a harder road for
life's Journey."
The literature committee has put
heart and soul in their work because
it realized the need of sending litera
ture to those who could not come to
meetings for parents, and to those who
had not been aroused to the need of
such helps,. thereby hojMng, the printed
message might awaken an interest IP
a great need. Most gratifying reports
have come to us and the ones most
gratifying are the requests for more
literature, telling us of trials and ask
ing for such literature that will help
the inquirers in their special needs.
Since last June we have sold and dis
tributed of the free literature, about
10,000 leaflets at a cost of about $10 J,
115 of this amount having been provided
by the Oregon Congress of Mothers
and the remainder provided by the
literature Jiommitteft through different
activities. Our literature treats on the
subjects, physical, social, moral and
spiritual development of the child, with
valuable helps for parents, themselves;
and warnings against the many pitfalls
for-their children. The many calls- for
the loan papers, written ty men and
women of experience and N treating on
various subjects in a most scientific
manner, show an awakened interest on
the part of many parents to study child
problems and get the most out of such
helps.
HOOD RIVER
The Parent-Teachers' asoclatlon of
Odell school was organized September
13, 1912, and became a part of the
Mothers' Congress December 13, 1912.
We have a membership of about 21
ladles, meet the second Friday evening
of each month, and . have a good at
tendance of Interested people, both
fathers and mothers, at each meeting.
The Odell school has a roll of about
lit pupils, and four excellent teachers.
Our principal Miss Delia Rush, is also
president Of our. Parent-Teachers' asso
ciation and has done a great deal to
make it a success in every way.
We have not taken up any particular
line of work, but have mixed the liter
ary and musical features with the more
serious papers and matters of discus
sion, , ' --.'- ' e
. We hav "accomplished several thlnsa
ouldi
not have had otherwise, namelyj The
establishing of a branch publlo library
in the nelghborhod,' the building1 and
qnlpnlny of window hoes in the -Var-
lous rooms;-putting wnite winnow .cur
tains at all the windows, and. many
other Improvement mad by the board.
AROUSES PARENTS
manual training; exhibit held at the
A PRAYER:
By Miss Florence Taft Sawyer.
Keep us, O God, from pettiness; let us be large In thought, In word,
Iet iw be done with fault-finding and leave off self-seeking.
May we put away all pretense and meet each other face to face, with
out self-pity and without prejudice.
May we never be hasty In Judgment. nd always generous.
Teach us to put Into action our better Impulses, straightforward and
unafraid. , '
Let us take tune for all things: make us grow calm, serene and
gentle. ,
Grant that we may realize It Is the little things that create differ.
ences; that In the big things of life we are as one.
And. may we strive to touch and to know the great common woman
heart of uA all, and let us not forget to be kind.
that otherwise would not have been
made
We have discussed the home marking
system and find the parents unanl
mously in favor of It, and we believe
it will be a part of our school system
this coming; year.
We are planning on meeting once a
month during vacation and making
them strictly a mothers' meeting to dis
cuss how we may make better mothers
and consequently strive to have our
children a credit to ourselves and com
munity. "Respectfully, Mrs. EL T. Folts,
Hood River, Oregon.
P
MEDF0RD
A Parent-Teachers association was or
ganised at the Roosevelt school, No
vember, 1912, and the following of
ficers were elected: President, Mrs.
George P. Krog; vice president. Miss
Julia Feilder; secretary, Mrs. C. J. East
man; treasurer, Mrs. A. T. Eisenhardt.
, 8. 8. Beveridge in the principal and
Is ably assisted by five teachers. There
are 12(5 pupils enrolled. Mable Myers,
secretary.
The Parent-Teachers' circle of the
Washington school of Medford was or
ganized in October of 1911, with 40
members.
The meeting on the' second Friday of
May will close this year's work." We
now have a membership of 0 with an av
erage attendance of about 60.
The members, both parents and teach
ers, are in hearty sympathy with the
work of . the circle and all agree that
the meetings are an inspiration.
The circle has accomplished a number
of things of local importance but the
best result of th organisation is the
spirit of hearty cooperation existing be
tween the parents and teachers.
The Washington school enrolls over
300 pupils with 8 teachers. The name
ot theprincipal ofLth buljdmg is P. H.
Dally.
OAK GROVE
The Oak Grove, Clackamas county.
Parent-Teachers' association is one of
the largest of its kind outside of Port
land, numbering some 55 members. From
its beginning, about a year ago, it
started on a campaign for school and
social betterment. It has been influ
ential in getting the school board to
Install sanitary plumbing and sanitary
drinking cups in the school, and to pur
chase and improve some property ad
Joining the school for playground pur
poses, making it 'one of the best
equipped schools for the size of it
district in the state. It has also pfK
sented the school with a phonograph,
playground apparatus, and full equip
ment for a social center.
The new officers of the association
elected at the last meeting are: Mrs.
Benvie, president; Mrs,- Dayton, Vice
president; Mrs. Wells, recording secre
tary; Mrs. Bushnell. corresponding sec
retary and Mrs. Oraham, treasurer. .The
teachers in the school are: Mrs. End!-
cott, Mrs. Oreene and Miss Pennlck. The
school has over 120 enrolled this year. ,
WICHITA
The Wichita Parent-Teacher's associ
ation; In. Clackamas county. Was or-
ganuuwLJaC-yeftrftnd .has , niembjM
snip or bo momers. lisa jumiy Shaw.
principal. Miss Mary Sedgwick and
Mrs. M. B. Hogue, teachers. ,J ;
An honorary member of . the" circle
(theKusband ot ea7n"trnnTotlrTsVcTM
an honorary', member 'of the circle) has
promised a suitable cupboard la which
Lents school.
to store the dishes, and very soon a
range is to be installed for cooking pur
poses when serving.
On Arbor Day an appetizing free
luncheon was given the school chil
dren. The number partaking were over
100 including the ladies who served. The
luncheon was in charge of Mrs. George
At wood and others and was a great suc
cess. A play is being prepared In which
about 60 characters appear. This play
Will be given In a few weeks.
WILSONVILLE
Since my report to the state con
vention olf last October we have been
meeting in the new school house In the
building of which our. circle was so
strong an influence. Under our aus
pices there have been four free lectures
In the school house. We vouched for
the expenses incidental .to such occur
ences. We vouched for six of them
so two are still to come. We have been
the means of installing In Wllsonvillj
the Free State Traveling library. We
donated a to the school for a walk
from the building to street. (The boys
of the school built the walk as part of
manual training). Have furnished light
ing for both the rooms In the shape of
two gasoline lamps; saw to it that the
girls had a new, better equipped toilet;
served refreshments to secure money to
donate towards a "new seat" fund,
which the teachers are building. We
have also creoted and will maintain a
village bulletin board on which to make
announcements for' any public meeting
of interest' to the community. We feel
that we are awakening an Interest in the
parents and general public for the bet
terment of our school and for the good
of the children. '
We have S3 pupils enrolled and have a
principal. Miss Helen Murray and a
primary teacher. Mies Cora Hanselbrlnk.
The school is known as the Wllsonville
school. - - - - -- -
Our circle is known as th Wilson
ville Parent-Teachers' association and
we now have 22 members. The presi
dent is Mrs. Charles F. Wagner.
L
IS
HELPFUL MAGAZINE
By Mrs. G. Ef Christmas, Chairman
of Magazine Committee.
The Child Welfare Magazine, the of
ficial organ of the National Congress
of Mothers; should be In every home, it
is -a wonderful help to mothers and es-
peclally to. those actively engaged In up
lift .work. Only by perusal of its pages
can one keep in touch with the grand
work that is being done throughout the
nation by the National Congress of
Mothers. . .'. - ' - ' -. '
Each monthly copy is full of interest
ing matter aiming to (also the' standards
ot home life, to develop wiser, better
trained Darenthood; to teach mothers,
especially young mothers, how best to
ears for. and train their children; to
nil aVtnit . A t 1raan oArtAra t ah ts a.
" "'B au"v" v-iiDvj v'jvci ta viwn irr-
tweenTparent! ahff teachers and to r6ose
each community to a sense of its duty
and responsibility to the children and
to one another. During the pant yenr
to the Cliil
Welfare Manr
axlne have increaed over 700 per cfnt
In Oregon. 1 ... '
0 WELFARE
Action Taken by High School
in Portland Highly Com
mended as Step in Right
Direction, Says Mrs. King.
- By Mrs. J. C. Elliott King.
Suitable dresses foi1 school conoti.
tute but one phase of a vast and im
portant subject. The philosopher may
disdain such trivial matters as what
shall we eat. and how shall we be
cioineo, nut to every woman the dress
question is a real issue, ajjroblem as
old as the, sex, a bete nolr wlrkh will
noi oe aownea. '
' ' . i : -
jnougn ministers hav nr.iKh.j
against frivolity, poets have sung in rid-'
Icu!o, am courts of law have end'eav-
ored to legally restrain excesses of dress
the ideal moderate and appropriate garb
for thf mass ot. women is still a dream -of
the future.
Vet the necessity for a solution seems ; '"
dally more urgent, for In the course of
the cycle which saw the extravagances '
of seventeenth century court llf sue. i'
ceeded by Puritan and 'Quaker elmplle- W
It-, we of the twentieth century are
ascending toward that apex of reck
less Indulgence, with disaster inevitable
unhss some reformer appears. Form- "
erly only the wealthy, or members of '
the nobility affected a rich or gaudy "
style of dress, while today, in Amer.
ica at least, the danger is doubled be- 5 1
cause there is no limit of class dlstlnc-
tion, and the poor and Ignorant are
tempted to fall a prey to the love of '
show and finery.
May PoUow'sampiT-';-'"Fr'!'-:
Is it not possible that the stand taken '
by. the White House ladies may provs to
be the tiny cloud, no larger than a
man's hand, which heralds good news'
for all sensible American women? Cer-!
talnly the curtailment of unreasonable
expense and lavish indulgence among
women of recognized standing, of Wealth
and refinement would go far, very far, :
toward simplifying the problems of t
dress for the school girl, the shop girl,
and the young and thoughtless wife who
does not limit her dress expense to a
fair proportion of her husband's Income. ' ,
Imitation is the natural method of
learning for the young; in dress as in '
manners and morals they but copy their-:
elde,rs. Unfortunately, like the buny.
bee and gay butterfly, they are most
prone to admire the brightest and most
conspicuous objects within thejr range ,
of vision. Therefore it seems all but
hopeless to urge girls. to adopt a sim
ple style of dress, when on every side
they see examples of poor taste and e
travagence In dressing;. . -
The movement for a- suitable school
dress for girls was started at the eon- "
vention of the Orego Ofi'grer, olm
Mothers last October." The greatest in
terest was displayed in tho demonstra
tion given, and photographs were re
produced in the press of dresses made
by the girls wearing them.
XeaA Zs Taken.
Details of hair dressing, shoes, hats -and
Jewelry were also considered. Al-'
though the mother was cautioned to be
on her guard, and 'the teacher adjured
to see that her example be what H
should, still the Influence ot girl lead- '
ers was admitted to be of paramount im- "
portance. .' . -. - -
Therefore it was a matter for con-'
gratulation when the girls of the Lin-
coin high school of their own accord,
formed an association for the purpose
of influencing the pupils in the direction "
of simple school apparel. , j
This club now includes the majority
of the students, and has htfd a marked
effect in doing away with silk blouses, -low
necks, and fancy coiffures in the
school room. ' . f
In the Lincoln, school an address on
the subject of good dressing was given -
khe girls by the dean of women at Cor-
vallis, and -they too are displaying bet- "
ter taste In their selection of clothing"
for the school room.
No direct effort at 'reform has been
attempted at, the Jefferson, but a re
cent visitor complimented the girls upon
their sensible appearance, which no
doubt Is due to the example of the ,
thoughtful girls who are in the major-,-lty.
- - . .,, -' .,
Credit must be given the teachers of
sewing in the schools for the great In
fluence they have had in this matter.
Especially in the higher classes where j
the girls make their dresses, the dlrec- , '
tor has an admirable chance, which she
never falls to use, of advising the girl
as to materials and styles. In this way,
the department can do double service. ,.
teaching good taste as well as the ac
tual trade, and reaching girls whose
mothers cannot influence them.
This subject has been discussed at
some 12 of the city Parent-Teacher,,
associations; often the ninth grade girls. .
have been Invited to remain to the meet- .
ings. The interest displayed by' moth
ers presages a favorable outcome to the
school dwss agitation, - for thoughtful .
care and firm determination on the part
of mothers will solve the problem la .,,
few years. ,
By .Mrs. C. F. Clarke, Chairman of
Playground Committee.
The playground committee of the Ore
gon Congress ot Mothers works toward
..Kni.inir niavrrounds ', that are avail-;
able for all children, and we hope that
our work will be of value to com cuy
and country, for the rural districts,
ui ranter for community service
a common play and meeting place for
both old and young wnere tne coming
together will brighten and freshen the ,
mature and serve to bring a "spirit ot
youthfulness into th hearts of men and
women. - '- - '
The parent-teacher associations f
Lents, Jennings Lodge, Oak Orova,
Richmond and others have mad su
dessful efforts for playgrounds, Port
land should have more, and larger play
grounds. Central East Portland espe
cially needs a playground. At ' Vernon,
acreage adjoining the school groumU
should be purchased.
L. h. Weir, find secretary of tb
l?laygrodnds and Recreation Ao.M.i
t'ion of America, has made three recom
mendations to Portland, well vorV,
while. They are;. .
vtrtt: a strona. clean, highly trim-1
superintendent of publlo 'recreation,
Soivn(Tar trt',two"Trw'
buildings.
Third, spare for play and "''
games snd rrt. In thoa p"'1 ' '
ruy In "hl',h 1iit tr " If-
tmty r") voimy )""4'!e, itn
t-.tir I'liiyj and $Ain: n i