The Savannah morning news., 1902-02-17
To IMPROVE SQUARES
MR.. GEORGE j. BALDWIN WILL
MAKE THAT HIS WORK.
SQUARES OFF BULL STREET.
WILL RECEIVE ATTENTION THAT
HAS BEEN LONG DELAYED.

and ArbOreaI Needs of savannah.
thinks People of Sections North
of CASTOR and East and West OF
Bull street Are Entitled to Con-
alteration, and That Their
Squares should BE Improved.
Money spent for Such Improve
mentS the Best Investment the
city Could Mnke-ApprOpriatiO
for Bcnutifyfng the City Have Not
Kent Pace with Its Growth.
THE public squares of the city east
and west of Bull street should receive
more attention than is bestowed upon
them. The people living in the sections
in which the squares lie are entitled
TO consideration, and expect to do all
that 1 can to bring about the i'm
provement."
Mr.. George ]. Baldwin. a newly-ap-
pointed member of the Park and Tree
Commission. made this statement. At
the last meeting of the commissionm
Mr. Baldwin was assigned by Chair
an Daffin TO that department of the
commissions work which embraces the
care of the squares, other than those
on Bull street that lie north of Gas
ton street.
This would seem but a titular posi-
tion, in view of the condition of those
squares. The Park and Tree Commits
sion has been hampered by want of
funds. and has been unable to i'm
prove the squares, though it has been
the desire of it's members to do so.
The Bull street squares have been re-
garded as of more Importance, and
care has been expended upon them,
while the others nave received but
very scant attention.
Mr. Baldwin does not expect this
state of affairs to continue. He was
not ready to say just how he purposed
going about the improvement of the
squares in the neglected sections, but
he has determined to take some action
that will bring about decided better
ment in their condition.
VIII Watch the Squares.
Though the duties of the place as
signed me by the chairman would seem
to be nil" said Mr.. Baldwin, Il am
very glad indeed that it was given
me. l am interested in the improve
ment of other squares than those on
Bull street. | shall give the matter my
earnest attention, and / hope and be-
lieve that l Will be able to reclaim them
from the neglect from which they are
now suffering.
Il am proud of the squares on Bull
street. The commission has done excel
lent work there. 1t is true that the
largest tax payers receive the direct
benefit from this Improvement of Bull
street squares, but the citizens of more
moderate means have a claim upon the
city as well, and their squares, too,
should be beautitied
For the last ten years there has
been practically no increase in the
amount appropriated by the City Coun-
ell for the improvement of the parks
and squares. A view is taken by some,
who, l think, miss the point entirely,
that it is useless to spend the public
funds for planting trees and in other
ways making the city beautiful To my
mind there could be no more profitable
investment made than the money that
is spent for arboreal and floral decora-
tions of our parks and squares. The
returns arc direct. Who wants to live
in place that is absolutely devoid of
beauty? Take the beauty of Savannah 5
trees and iiowers away. and there is
little left Add to that beauty, and
you make the place more charming
than ever That means that people will
be induced to visit the city; to come
here to reside. Property values go up
ana Ut Is clear enough that money
spent for such purposes is not thrown
away, but protitably invested
Made Personal Inspections
Several afternoons of late | have
made ii my duty to make u personal
inspection of that section of the city
assigned to my care. / have visited
every one of the squares placed in
my charge, and l have seen their needs.
hpK
that also deserves attention.
In that wide section that is en-
braced by Yamacraw there are abso-
lutely no public squares or Fairgrounds
for children. That certainly is not the
condition that should prevail. | quite
agree with the Mayor, who referred to
this matter in his annual report He
said that there should be some park
established for the benefit of the peo-
pie of that section, and | am giving
that my attention also. Some place
should be afforded them.
Flowers and shrubbery would make
attractive additions to the squares that
are removed from Bull street 1t is
true that it has been demonstrated
that children living about the square
at Montgomery and McDonough
streets did not seem to want roses in
its center, but they need to be edu-
Gated to a point of appreciation OF the
OcduAy VI llOWtTS. More lnan once
the circular bed in the center of the
square was planted with roses. but
the small boys got among them and
tore them all up. 1 would not give
up because of this. Children have
learned to leave the flowers of the Bull
street squares unmolested, and they
could be so taught in the other sec
tions. / would wager that not
child of the Kate Baldwin
kindergarten classes would ever think
or disturbing flowers planted in one of
the squares. There is shown the ad-
vantage Of education They are taught
40 love the beautiful and TO protect.
rather than destroy, IL. To teach the
children of the city generally the same
valuable lesson would be but a matter
of time"
wants More Flowers.
Mr.. Baldwin was asked IL he thought
that the people of the city would prob
ably make its beautifying one OF their
demands upon the next City Council
elected. He replied that he did not
know. but that such issues as that are
those he likes TO see introduced into
municipal politics. 1T would certainly
afford me great pleasure" said Mr.
Baldwin, ito carry out such a wish
AZ expressed by the people. and means
were afforded for the work"
Mr.. Baldwin knows nothing Of any
intention on the part OF any member
OF the Park and Tree Commission to