Evening star., 1901-11-13
The ART ofncITY MAKING
PUBLIC SENTIMENT rAyoRs HAND
SOME MUNICIPALITIES.
History of the Msvement for Tnprov-
ed Bnildinsss Streets and
Grounds.
From the Philadelphia Times.


From the Philadelphia Times
The organization in recent years Of many
societies. each working more or less inde-
pendently along various lines leading to
more consistent economical and beautiful
development of our cities, towns and
homes. has shown the growth of pro-
nounced public sentiment. The forerunner
of this movement was the work for the
sick. unfortunate and poor, and out Of this
work have grown hospitals, charitable or
ganizations and colonies of social workers.
The movement for the improvement of
the surroundings Of the people as whole
began with few village Improvement as
sociations, such as the Laurel Hill Associa-
ton of Stockbridge, Mass, organized in
1858. few years later B. G. Northrop of
Connecticut lectured upon village improve
ment and organized associations for this
purpose throughout the eastern states.
Such Work, however, was scattered, society
working independently with little knowi-
edge of what others were doing along the
same line. About this time a movement
for the requirement of land for pubic
parks and reservations was started by the
city of New York in the requirement of
Central Park
The New Movement.
Earnest and serious students were study
ing the problems of the growth of cities
and towns. and there grew out Of this such
books as "Shaw's Municipal Government In
Continental Europe" and more recently
Robinson's Improvement of Cities ana
Towns. The national organizations nav
ing for their object the study of the prob
lens of the administration of cities began
with the organization of the Social Science
Association, the social science division OF
the American Association for the Advance
ont Of
several municipal leagues that have been
established to study and confer on special
problems having to do with our municipal
tiles.
All this study and effort has brought
students, artists and men of affairs closer
together and has led to a more general
appreciation Of the close relation between
beauty and utility. Beauty Is not now re-
garded by men of affairs an esthetic
consideration having no practical value,
and mere ornamentation Is not now re-
garded as an essential element OF beauty.
Men are coming to know that If an object
is well proportioned and perfectly fitted
for the uses to which 1t Is to be put 1t has
the principal elements of beauty, and that
without these elements ornamentation will
not correct its defects.
Out Of this feeling and out of the
study that has been given to these various
problems and organizations have grown
societies having for their principal purpose
the preservation of beautiful objects In
landscape In public and private buildings,
greater consistency and economy and more
beauty in the design Of our towns and
cities. One of the first organizations Of
this kind was the board of trustees for
public reservations in Massachusetts,, OF
which a similar board has been organized
in New York. OF national organizations
there are the American, Park and Outdoor
Art Association, the League for Social Ser
vice. the General Federation of Women's
Clubs, the National League OF Improve
ment Associations and the National Art
Club Of New York.
The Growing Interest.
AS an illustration of a marked and grow
ing interest in the movement, the secretary
of one of these organizations has stated
frankly to one of his members that a paper
having to do with outside affairs which he
controlled had increased Its circulation ten
times within the year that his association
had been IN existence.
In addition to the influence of such or
ganizations. which are made up OF men and
women having diverse interests and occupa-
tions who are ready to give freely of their
time and resources for the public good,
powerful influence is being exerted along
the same lines by such leagues Of profess
sional men as the American Institute of
Architects, and the many architectural
clubs in different cities, engineering asso-
Citations, the National Sculptural Society
Architects.
ne American Institute Of Architects and
the American Institute of Engineers are
made up of many local clubs, which, act
ing through a central organization, exert
great power for good. If all associations
working with the same general objects In
view could arrange for joint meeting at
which the leading spirits Of those working
quainted and arrange there for co-ordi-
nation Of work and cooperation In it's exc
cution a tremendous impetus would be
given to the movements that they are inter-
ested in Such a meeting would also result
In a great saving Of time and expense to
those who would desire to attend the meet
ing of more than one association: This has
already been accomplished by the various
scientific associations, who meet with the
American Association for the Advancement
of Science. With this exception, and with
strictly non-professionai associations have
not yet co-operated excepting locally, al
though the National Arts Club of New
York gives common meeting place for in
dividuals.
Educational ExpOsitions.
The American Park and Outdoor Art AS
sociation at its meeting In Milwaukee,
voted to hold it's next meeting in Boston
early in August, 1902, and to invite all Or
ganizatio working along similar lines to
send representatives to this meeting to
confer with reference to joint meeting
Such a meeting will not alone accomplish
the object for which the various earnest
men and women who attend are working.
The results Of their deliberations and ex-
periences must be placed before the public
In such simple, direct and forclble way
as to attract the attention of all persons
lead them to comprehend the purpose in
view clearly and so interest them that they
will act upon the suggestions thus received
upon their return home 1t is only by edu-
eating the general public that important
results can be accomplished. The st. Louis
exposition will offer opportunity for in
stalling an exhibit upon the science and art
of modern city and home making that
would, il well executed under the leader
ship Of all associations having to do with
outdoor art, do more to justify this worlds
fair than anything else so far suggested
Such an exhibit showing the logical growth
of city or town. governed first by the
Of transportation and intercommunication
then the growth OF buildings for public use,
for business purposes and for homes, and
all incidental features connected Herewith,
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