New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-27
THE BLOCK BEAUTIFUL ,
WOMEN OF BROOKLYN TO WORK FOR
CIVIC IMPROVEMENTS
CHILDREN CAN HELP

Civic improvements were discussed yesterday
under the heading The Block Beautiful" by the
Clvitas Club. Of Brooklyn. Mrs. George Frank
president OF the club first called on Mrs T Alfred
Vernon. member Of the club 70 tell what it has
done IN the direction adding beauty 70 the wastes
Of Brooklyn Mrs Vernon who IS chairman OF the
art committee ~ Civitas said that last summer
they selected Public School No Il the subject
q experiment in window boxes. which were
placed there IN the spring. The principal and the
.anror took deep interest IN the plan. the former
pledEing until the end Of the school term and
The latter promising attention during the vacation
Tine children seemed delighted to have the
flowers there said Mrs. Dixie. and helped eagerly
70 care for them. All summer long they blooned
on the window stills. giving pleasure 10 the passers
by in that not attractive spot the teachers
said, when asked if the money might have been
more wisely expended IN picture, that the flowers
had probably been productive Of moro real enjoy
Hnent
"A member of the Board Of Education told me
that the experiment was such success that he
thought that tho children should be ercoura ged
20 buy the flowers for the boxes this year by way
OF Increasing their self-respect through a feeling
Of ownership. We are going to find how the
children feel bout it, and Will let them contribute
II they wish"
spoke OF the work planned by the woInan's Munich
pal League Of Brooklyn Heights
The object Of our league" said Mrs. Dixie. IFS to
improve own district which has some Of the
borough and TO encourage the formation of similar
leagues in other districts. The Heights has six
wards. and the organization provides a chairman
and committees education. art sanitation and
public safety for every ward. The committees re-
port every month 10 their chairmen who then re-
port 10 the executive board. composed Of the off,
GERS Of the league and the six charmen.
The committee public safety Will endeavor 10
secure proper protection for women and children in
police stations"
Sfrc
Of wise and energetic women for this much abused
city, that has much real beauty and such great
possibilities
Miss leila Milhau OF the Municipal Art Society
urged the planting OF trees vines and flowers and
said: The idea IS 10 take the streets block by
block and house by house and try TO persuade
10 plant and residents TO start window
boxes. in order 70 give the refreshing green and
color that are 70 lacking IN city. Brooklyn
has been selected because the soil IS much better
adapted 70 the purpose than that OF New-York"
Miss Mihau suggested the free use OF Boston ivy
a. being easily grown, inexpensive and a preventive
o. aampHess, me lear growing at such angle
mat me rain Is thrown of from the walls. Seeds
are 20 be distributed 10 the children OF the poorer
sections, with printed circulars instruction and
prizes vii be given al suitable times for the
The sneaker shov,ed circulars tss,,ed -, ,,, A.,
5l as az AT society giving details regarding ex
c 80 80 ili on aha s4ld nat Tor the next SIX
subject who Will call at No. 2Sl Henry-st Brook
Ign. The Tree Planting Association. of brooklyn,
cooperation. advising owners regarding the best
trees for any locality.
a member Of Ciyitas gave an account OF block
bealcful' on LeXington-ave., Brooklyn consisting
II Of two story brick houses set far heck
from the street At each end is a large store built
close 70 the sidewalk limit and these two dead
walls Boston ivy has been trained, and now covers
them almost wholly. The fences dividing the
houses are hidden by clambering honeysuckie and
ofher vines and every house has pretty flower beds
and borders Of tuliDs and other gay flowers offer
passerby.
After the, more serious part of the programme
vas over. The members and guests chatted socially
over refres hments The hostesses Mrs Irv-
!Eg Smith Mrs. Omri Ford Hubbard, Mrs John
Fell O'Bren and Mrs Baker