Minutes of a Meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Federation of Settlements at City Club, New York, Dec. 9th, 1921.
There were present Jane Addams, Chicago; Cornelia F. Bradford, Jersey City; Marion Kohn, Philadelphia; [Isabel] L. Taylor, Jersey City; Harriet T. Righter, New York; Josephine Schain, New York; Mrs. V. G. Simkhovitch, New York; Lillian D. Wald, New York; Louis J. Affelder, Pittsburgh; Charles C. Cooper, Pittsburgh; John L. Elliott, New York; Johan Grolle, Philadelphia; Albert J. Kennedy, Boston; Bruno Lasker, New York; Wm. E. McLennan, Buffalo; Gaylord S. White, New York; Robert A. Woods, Boston. The President was in the chair.
By consent, reading of the minutes was waived.
Miss Addams gave her impressions of the meeting held in London in July to talk over organizing an international conference of settlements. She mentioned the disappointment of an old Toynbee resident, Harold Spender, over the fact that settlements lack the direct touch with other countries which the Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A. through secretaries stationed in various foreign countries, now have.
Europe carries on good works of all kinds under difficulties. Funds are low. There are fewer volunteers than before the war. Professional social workers need and demand larger salaries. But despite handicaps the urge forward persists.
The organization of an international conference calls for secretarial service, at least during the period of organization, and such service should be permanent. The sub-warden of Toynbee Hall, St . John Catchpool, who served during the war in the Friends Unit, and after the armistice visited houses in Germany, France, Denmark, Hall and Russia, is in touch with continental houses. He seems, therefore, the logical person to undertake [page 2] the duties of organizing the conference.
The project, already well under way, to establish a settlement fellowship at Barnett House, Oxford, represents an additional means of promoting touch between settlement workers in different countries. The terms of the fellowship call for residence, partly at Barnett House, partly at an English settlement, the incumbent to head up his work by delivering several lectures at Oxford. $5000 additional is needed to complete the fund upon which the scholarship will be established. About $600 yearly will be available to the holder, enough to live upon in England. It was suggested that America supply this amount in return for the right to nominate alternate fellows. The stipend would have to be supplemented by a grant for traveling expenses.
The suggestion that the English group be asked to postpone the conference until 1923 was after discussion abandoned in favor of participation through some representation in any form of gathering that the London Committee might decide upon. It was pointed out that though this country had not been first to suggest an international conference, it had through its delegates urged 1922 as a proper time. In view of the fact that America has acquired an unenviable reputation for irresponsibility toward idealist movements and practical ventures which its citizens start, instanced in the neglect of adopted orphans, cities and relief work assumed with promises during the war, the National Federation, having put its hand to the plow, is bound to support its promises.
On motion properly seconded it was voted that the president and secretary be urged to attend the international conference, should one be held in the summer of 1922, and that the Federation make any needed grant of money toward their expenses. [page 3]
The question of the amount which America should contribute toward the cost of organizing the international conference was considered. Miss Addams reported that the English group felt that it would be necessary to have some one who could give time to the venture, to serve from Jan. 1st, 1922 at least until after the conference. She hoped that the person to act might be Mr. Catchpool, who better than anyone else immediately available could help in linking together the like-minded from different countries. It was suggested that the National Federation contribute $500. It was pointed out that the transmission of a substantial money contribution was of even more importance than sending delegates, because the National Federation cannot honorably participate in a conference without paying its full share of expenses.
A motion was introduced calling for the appointment of a committee to raise money for the expense of calling an international conference. Discussion of this motion led to a request for the report of the treasurer, which was read and accepted.
Further discussion seemed to indicate that it was unwise to ask friends of settlements to subscribe to several different funds for the same organization.
The following individual pledges toward expenses of organizing an international conference were made:
Jane Addams $100
Cornelia Bradford 50
John L. Elliot 100
Marion Kohn 50
Harriet Righter 50
Mrs. Simkhovitch 50
Miss Wald 100
R. A. Woods 100
On motion properly seconded it was voted that Gaylord S. White be asked to write an article on the needs for an international conference, and some of the results it might be expected [page 4] to accomplish.
Miss Righter mentioned the fact that bills for the local federation and the National Federation sometimes reach houses at the same time, and discourage both residents and treasurers. She questioned whether it would not be better to send out one bill which would include both local and national dues. The problem was referred to the treasurer and assistant secretary with power to act.
On motion properly seconded it was voted that a committee be appointed to support the Appalachian Trail project of Mr. [MacKaye] and Mr. Clarence Stein, and that the said committee be asked to prepare a map showing the location of settlement camps.
On motion properly seconded it was voted to refer the question of [cooperation] with the American Association of Social Workers to the Committee on Training.
On motion properly seconded it was voted to hold the next annual conference in September on days and at a place chosen by the officers after consultation with the city federations.
On motion properly seconded it was voted to request head residents to do all in their power to induce staff members and past residents to become individual members of the National Federation.
On motion properly seconded it was voted to urge the committee on Philosophy of Social Work to increase its number for the purpose of securing wider publicity, through articles and addresses, for the aims, methods and accomplishments of settlement work.
On motion properly seconded it was voted to send out [page 5] an appeal to various houses asking them:
1. To support the passage of projected legislation to provide credit for Austria, and
2. To urge individuals and clubs in settlements to make contributions toward the relief of starving children in Austria and Russia.
On motion properly seconded it was voted that the National Federation, through the President, send a letter of appreciation to Miss Julia Lathrop, recognizing her faithful and able services to settlements and the country; and a letter of greeting to Miss Abbott, the new head of the Children's Bureau.
On motion properly seconded it was voted that a committee be appointed to outline a program for the celebration in local communities of peace between Ireland and England. The president appointed Jane Addams, Dr. Jane Robbins, Miss Ethel Dougherty and Mr. [McCloskey].
The report of Miss Neva Boyd on her work with Miss Coolidge in Paris last summer was listened to with much interest and ordered printed for distribution among settlements.
The meeting adjourned, sine die.
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