NATIONAL FEDERATION OF SETTLEMENTS
June 6, 1923.
Dear Miss Addams:
The National Conference just held at Washington May 13th to 16th was, I think everybody agrees, the most successful in the history of the Federation. About two hundred and fifty delegates were present and there were a number of outstanding addresses and papers. We were most fortunate in the presence of Captain Lionel F. Ellis, Secretary of the International Conference of Settlements and Secretary of the International Continuation Committee. As a kind of first fruits of the Conference, mimeographed copies of a remarkable address on music by Harold Bauer were sent to the houses with music departments. I have a few extra copies of this paper on hand and will send it to anyone else who desires. It is hoped that the paper can be printed very shortly and copies in bulk can be secured at a very reasonable cost.
Under another cover I have already sent you a copy of the report of the International Conference of Settlements, called "Settlements and Their Outlook", a substantial little volume of 192 closely-printed pages. The report was ably edited by Mr. Basil Yeaxlee of the Educational Settlements Association and provides a good short picture of the papers, business and discussion of the London Conference. Additional copies can be obtained from the Secretary's office at the rate of 75ยข each. This price just covers the cost of importing the book.
A number of matters of business were transacted at the conference about which it seems desirable that all should be informed. This letter will be followed by others, and especially by reports on discussions at the meetings. [page 2]
The following officers were elected to serve for two years:
President, Robert A. Woods, South End House, Boston
Vice-President, Charles C. Cooper, Kingsley House, Pittsburgh
Secretary, Albert J. Kennedy, South End House, Boston
Treasurer, Louis J. Affelder, Pittsburgh
Delegates at Large
Jane Addams
Frances Ingram
Graham Taylor
John L. Elliott
Mary K. Simkhovitch
A copy of the resolution on finance proposed by Mr. Affelder and adopted by the Conference is enclosed with this letter.
The following resolutions were passed:
(1) That the office of secretary and executive-secretary be combined.
(2) That a committee be appointed to [cooperate] with the I.C.S.A. for the discussion of common interests.
(3) That all applications for institutional membership in the National Federation of Settlements must be voted on by the executive committee after consultation with the local federation of settlements where such exists.
(4) That heads of departments and divisions be made ex officio members of the executive committee.
(5) That the committee on housing be authorized to invite other national organizations to appoint housing committees to join in a conference for the purpose of formulating a national housing program.
(6) That the Canadian settlements be invited to federate and when such federation has been formed to appoint a member to serve on the executive committee of the National Federation of Settlements.
(7) That a message of greeting be sent to Miss Jane Addams.
(8) That a letter of greeting be sent to Mrs. Barnett.
(9) That a message of fraternal greeting be sent by Captain Ellis to the English settlements.
(10) That a division on art work in settlements be formed.
(11) That a division on dramatics in settlements be formed.
It was the sense of the conference that if the National Conference of Social Work should decide to meet in Toronto, that the National Federation of Settlements hold its annual conference either just before or just after the Conference of Social Work. [page 3]
The executive committee instructed the secretary to prepare a new directory of settlements to take the place of the last one which was published in 1918. It is the suggestion of your secretary that the new directory be organized in two parts; the first to list the names of settlements affiliated with the National Federation, their buildings and staff members, and the second part or supplement to list merely the names of houses not affiliated.
Houses affiliated with the National Federation are asked to provide the following data for the directory:
(1) Name of the House
(2) Street address of all properties within the city and all summer camps
(3) Date at which the house was founded
(4) Name and address of the head resident
(5) Names and addresses of associate head residents and directors of work with adults, boys' work, girls' work, music, dramatics, health work with children, health work with adults, resident nurse, visitors, men's work, athletics, art, dancing, education, investigation and where desired teachers of folk, social or aesthetic dancing, piano, violin, voice, drawing, [modeling], home making, or other specialties of service and education.
The thought in this connection is not to list everyone upon the staff of the settlement house, but to carry the names of persons in charge of a department or a specialty. Much of the work of the Federation will depend upon an accurate list of this kind to be used in keeping in touch with people having various special interests. You are, therefore, earnestly requested to send this information in the near future.
Attention is called to the enclosed minutes submitted by the treasurer. It was the unanimous opinion of the Conference that board members and resident workers should be invited to become members of the Conference. It was suggested that dues be made low enough so as not to seriously inconvenience anyone. You will note that the minimum is placed at $1.00. Will you please be good enough to send the names of board members and resident workers who might be asked to enroll themselves in the National Federation.
Very sincerely yours,
Albert J Kennedy [signed]
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