The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-07

II "A
venient clearing house for in
formation concerning current
developments in municipal affairs a
number Of valuable periodicals are de-
voted 10 this purpose but much of the
information desired from time to time
by those interested in the practical
problems of our government is of n
character not easily conveyed in type.
To be understood it hats to be seen.
That is especially true of machinery
and construction work as we'll as of
new forms in book and record keeping,
and the like.
Three years ago it was suggested by
William s. Crandall. one of the fore
most of our professional students or
municipal affairs that ut some of the
many eXpositions which have been so
numerous of late, space be set apart
for display given over wholly to
municipal subjects. He favored the
building of II model city, one in which
visiting councimen. mayors and 9TH
er moulders of municipal destinies
might witness how other people do the
things that they are delegated to do.
At that time nothing came of the sug-
gestion, but more recently II number
of civic organizations have taken hold
of the idea and have prepared for sub
mission to the directors of the Louis
lana Purchase exposition plans for the
working out of Mr.. Crandalls sugges-
ton.
The proposed scheme is SO broad in
it's scope as to render difficult a con-
else statement. Its general purpose is
to show 0D the progress already made
in every phase of municipal develop
ment, (2) the most successful methods
problem, beginning with the laying out
of Il city (streets, avenues. parks, etc)
ana ending with public baths, laund-
res, theatres and telephones, and CD
how art may be combined with utility
so as to make the city not only the
most effective Industrial, commercial
and social unit. bat also the most at
trlctivc and the most beautiful.
To this end plans, photographs and
sketches should be secured from the
most progressive cities of the world.
and, whenever possible. the machinery
actually used should be displayed.
For instance, Chicago should send Il
working model of the sanitary canal
by which ii dsposes of its sewage.
Paris should exhibit its system Of
sewers. Glasgow might be called upon
to portray its well-dcvcloped system of
garbage disposal and utilization. New
York would explain the rapid transit
subway it is now building--thc most
extensive system in the world.
Private companies would gladly dis
play the various kinds of machinery
and manufactured products used by
cities nr private corporations doing
municipal work, such as fire appalu-
tus, garbage inciner1ttors, paving ma
terials water meters. filters. hydrants.
etc, sewer appliances, lighting sys-
TENS, voting machines, etc, etc.
Wherever possible this display would
be supplemented 10y practical illustra-
tion. Fire companies from various
and most approved methods of fighting
fires and saving life. The streets of
the exposition would be cleaned i'm the
best possible way, and garbage dis
posal works erected upon the grounds.
In other instances. where ii Is impos-
sible, owing To lack of space or of fa-
cilities for doing the work. stereopticon
views and moving pictures could be
used very effectively, and the visitor
tosfhe exposition thus enabled to see
what the cities of the world We're do
ing for their citizens, without visiting
them personally,
rhere can be no question of the value
ofssuch an exhibit, Every day is add
ing, to the Importance of scientific in
fofination relative to city government;
and likewise to it's abundance and the
difficulty of keeping in touch with it
by.means of existing facilities. Let the
StE Louis show have a model city by
alLmeans. 1t would add immensely to
its usefulness ana live interest.
4