The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-07-13
CIVIC IMPROVEMENT WORK.

CIVIC IMPROVEMENT WORK.
In its latest report the Civic Improvement League
shows 4 strong increase of membership and an en-
larged grasp of the obligations which the New st.
Louis imposes upon enlightened citizenship.
Such an institution can become the effective pioneer
Of good government. Some like body should be as
much 4 part of established activities as are the char
tered departments of the municipality.
The purpose Of an association for civic improve
ment may be assumed TO be high and praiseworthy;
but purpose is only n beginning. 1t is necessary for
results that the methods have all the persistence. plia-
bility and accurate information Of n sound business
concern.
In these voluntary associations there have usually
been the twin faults of well-meaninS weakness. There
has been too much reliance upon loose talk and too
much faith in attractive theories of change. Things
are wrong: we will denounce the wrong and change
the law which permits it, has been the programme
of municipal reformers. rs Of most other reformers.
since the glorious discontents OF educated mankind
began to yearn for progress.
II is within bounds to say that nine-tcnths of civic
Improvement in American cities has been due to the
pushing Of selfish interests as they sought chances of
investment and profit in serving the public. If one
tenth could be traced to voluntary societies the credit
would not be 4 small one; but one-tenth would prob
ably be more than the cold facts would warrant.
To be sure, even in spasmodic agitation there is a
power. Evil is always under the check of the knowl-
edge among evil doors that the public can be called
into rebuking action when things are carried too far.
But spasmodic agitation is useful chiefly in pre-
senting information. It's exhOrtations never amount
TO much. An American public seldom acts except on
facts, or on what it believes to be facts: seldom tries
a device if it does not seem to be practical Mere In
fammatory talk never arouSes an American commu-
nifty. There must always be the appearance. at least.
Of a tangible evil and some confidence, at least, in
the effectiveness of the remedies proposed.
So. to possess a respectable proportion of result
to intent, a civic Improvement society must adopt the
methods of the best business concerns. And the main
substance of every successful business is a constant
admixture of exact Information and tactful energy.
We have just had the best example of how real
civic Improvement is wrought. ST. Louis has radically
changed its municipal conduct within two years. Yet
there has been little change in the laws. With the e0-
ception of the Charter amendments, the laws have had
few additions or notifications. In the preceding
period there was poor service in city departments.
The excuse was offered that there was not enough
revenue for necessary work. Yet, with the same rev
enue laws, collections have increased, departments
have been made more efficient and civic improvement
has proceeded rapidly, though there has been no spe-
cial stimulus of reform agitation from the outside.
Strict administration of the law in the higher Grim
inal courts has been brilliantly successful in purifying
the City Hall surroundings. The laws remained as
they were. Men and methods alone were changed.
No principle was introduced Of later discovery than
the Eighth Commandment. Yer that was enough.
Accurate, courageous work was the only magic.
In the course so far followed by the Civic Improve
ment League there is agreeable promise of maintain
ing a productive activity which will be manifest in
the streets and public edifices OF st. Louis, instead of
an activity of talk on view only in the meetings of
the society. Membership is necessary for funds and
moral support, but three good lawyers and as many
good business men vigorously at work will do more
than a thousand persons who can only meet, talk and
listen.
Public opinion will always respect reliable infor-
nation on 4 given subject. If the Civic Improvement
League will devote itself to being ready with complete
information and a sane and economical method of bet
terment when it attacks an evil, no long time will
elapse before the people will look upon its leadership
as the safe guide in municipal affairs.
Fortunately. there are abundant sources Of informa-
tion. American cities are formulating their expert
ences and are constantly interchanging data. On al
most every municipal subject practical knowledge is
available in great detail. The Civic Improvement
League has but to gather the facts and then study
out carefully their application to conditions in st.
Louis.