Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-12-27
MODERN CITY MAKING
GROWTH OF THE MOVEMENT FOR
MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT.

Various Organizations For the Bet
terment of the Surroundings of the
People - Close Relation Between
Beauty and Utility.
The organization in recent years Of
manv societies, each working more or
less Independently along various lines
leading to a more consistent, econom-
ical and beautiful development of our
cities, towns and homes, has shown
the growth of pronounced public SEN
timent.
The movement for the improvement
of the surroundings of the people as q
whole began with a few village I'M
provement associations, such as the
Laurel Hill association Of Stockbrldge,
Mass, organized in 1853. A few years
later Mr.. b. G. Northrop of Connecti-
cut lectured upon village improvement
and organized associations for this
purpose throughout the eastern states.
Such work, however, was scattered,
each society working Independently,
with little knowledge of what others
About this time a movement for the
requirement of land for public parks
and reservations was started by the
city Of New York in the requirement
of Central park.
y At various periods earnest and seri-
Gus students were studying the prob
lens 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 recent
ly Robinson's Improvement Of Cities
and Towns" The national organiza-
lions having for their object the study
of the problems Of the administration
of cities began with the organization
Of the Social Science association, the
Social Science Division Of the Ameri-
can Association For the Advancement
Of Science and more recently the sew
eral municipal leagues that have been
established to study and confer on spe-
cial problems having to do with our
municipalities.
All this study and effort have brought
students, artists and men Of affairs
closer together and have led to a more
general appreciation of the close rela-
ton between beauty and utility. Beau
ty Is not now regarded by men of af-
fairs as an aesthetic consideration hav-
ing no practical value, and mere orna-
mentation is not now regarded as an
essential element of beauty. Men are
coming to know that il an object Is
we'll proportioned and perfectly fitted
for the uses to which it is to be put 1t
has the principal elements Of beauty
and that without these elements orna-
mentation will not correct its defects.
Growing out of this feeling and out
of the study that has been given to
these various problems and organiza-
tons have grown societies having for
their principal purpose the preserva-
ton 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 preservation in Massac husetts.
OF national organizations there are
the American Park and Outdoor Art
association, the League For Social Serv-
Ice, the General Federation Of Women's
Clubs. the National League Of Improve
ment Associations and the National
Arts club of New York.
In addition to the influence of such
organizations which are made up Of
men and women having diverse inter-
ests and occupations who are ready to
give freely of their time and resources
for the public good, very powerful in
fuence is being exerted along the same
lines by such leagues of professional
mon as the American Institute of Archi,
tects and the manv architectural clubs
in different cities, engineering associa-
tons, the National Sculptural society
and the American Society of Landscape
Architects. The American Institute OF
Architects and the American Institute
Of Engineers are made up Of many 10.
cal clubs, which, acting through a CEN
trail 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
along each line should become better
acquainted and arrange there for CO.
ordination of work and cooperation In
its execution. n tremendous impetus
would be given to the movements that
they are interested in. Such a meeting
would also result In great saving OF
time and expense to those who would
desire to attend the meeting of more
than one association. This has already
been accomplished by the various scien
tifc associations who meet with the
American Association Fer the Advance
ment of Science. With this exception
and with the exception of the women's
clubs the strictly nonprofessional asso
Citations have not yet co-operated ex
cepting locally, although the Nationa
Art club Of New York gives a common
meeting place for individuals.
The American Park and Outdoor Arr