Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-06-26

lulT uuu EluSeu StOO, uuu III lOuE yeaFs
by appealing to civic pride and patriot
ism the society raised $1,000. Beside
this, residents expended $2,5O0 for side
walks and other improvements. A.
a result New Milford is now a model
town and property has been greatly en-
hanced.
But 1t Is in the Western States, says
Mr.. Northrop, that the greatest progress
in rural improvement has been made
during the last ten years. Here one
finds Illustrations Of cooperation and
enterprise surprising the more staid
East The Wyoming Village Improve.
ment Society Is the foremost organiza,
ton Of its kind in Ohio. 1t was formed
in 1880 at a public meeting where sew.
eral spirited addresses were made. The
Mayor Of the village was made presi.
dent, and a directory of four women
and four men was appointed. These
were divided into committees on trees,
on sidewalks. on sewerage, on finance,
and on entertainments, concerts and
lectures. Though the population Of the
village was only 100, they began work
with thoroushness and enthusiasm.
Nearly every man and woman in the
village Joined the association. They
first undertook one conspicuous i'm
provement-thee enlargementnnd adorn.
ment Of the unsightly grounds Of the
railway station. They collected 81, zoo
by subscriptions, the railroad company
added S4OO and hauled the needed srav.
el and soil without charge. The result
is the most attractive station-park on
this line Of railway. In 1881 there were
planted in this park 1S5 trees and six.
ty-three shrubs of Towering varieties
and flower-beds, all arranged by com.
petent landscape gardener. In 1881
10 trees were planted along the streets
The aggregate number Of trees planted
by this association is about 1000. Dur.
ing its first three years the society rails
ed through membership dues, private
subscriptions entertainments and the
like nearly $1,000. The membership
zee was So for the first, and annually
thereafter 50; for persons not of age 81,
or the planting Of one tree under the
direction of the tree committee. The
society has secured an efficient street.
sprinkling service. The property hold.
ers have laid miles of artificial stone
and public-spirited citizen.
have given to the village q commodious
and elegant hall in which is a flne H.
brary and reading room. The Village
Society has been the lead.
er in these and many other improve
ments. 1t has shown the value Of town
pride and civic patriotism.
Mr.. Northrop then speaks of the re-
suit Of the work Of village improvement
societies In many towns both East and
West and then goes on to discuss how
to organize improvement societies
when there is little public spirit The
best way to begin this work, he says,
Is to interest all classes by q free lee.
ture explaining the aims and results
of societies elsewhere and then at once
to make an organization. Most com.
muniies are likely to wait for the i'm.
pulse Of leader. Many efficient asso-
Citations have been formed by women,
and of nearly all at least a part Of the
officers are women. II the Executive
Committee numbers fifteen, l advise
that eight should be women. Women
succeed better in getting money and in
securing the cooperation Of all classes.
At the start the aims Of an association
should be few and explicit Lead, but
do not too far outstrip public opinion
lest you excite stubborn prejudice. The
founders of such an association.
knowing the local con.
should propose to them.
selves the accomplishment at first
bf only "open. gross ana palpa-
BILE" Improvements and then wait for
the community to catch up with them,
But the cooperation Of all classes once
there are few things that these
societies cannot do. Their aims, vary.
Ing of course with local needs, include
municipal reform. sanitary improve
ments- especially as to water supply
and sewerage and disposal Of waste
he improvement Of roads, of sidewalks,
of parks, of school yards, and other
public grounds especially grounds
around railway stanonsAprovidinx
drinking tanks and fountain4 organic
ing free town libraries, and removing
nuisances and front fences.
Another practical question ia "How
,an we get the necessary money! By
fees. large or small &C.
cording to the means and liberality of
the community, by life-memberships
ranging from SO to $50 or more, by an
nual subscriptions, by fairs, by lee.
lures, by concerts and other entertain
nents. Large gifts are often made by |
citizens and by natives no |
onger resident Many whom fortune
has favored are glad to show a CRATE |
ful remembrance Of their old homes.
Thousands of dolla.s come in such flial
(fnnnS% nSIn W., Tskk& tn .