The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-09-27
WORK FOR THE IMPROVEMENT
ASSOCIATION.

Ho0OOIA lONs
The First Ward Improvement asso-
citation finds its hands full of business.
80 with every other similar associa-
ton in the city which intends to oc-
cupy its natural and proper field and
busies itself with the local needs. of
its constituents, instead of with other
questions that often prove more at
tractive or with politics.
The First Ward association finds
that it has poor street car service and
wants better; that the grading nee
essary to be done before the street
railway extends its line to Phalen park
is so far behind that there is little
chance of completing 1t this year; that
1t has no public haH, and needs one
badly; that the bicycle paths in the
ward are in very bad condition, and
that the alleys and sidewalks need
much attention. Here is a list of sub
jects eminently proper to be consid-
cred by the people in their associa-
ton; subjects that are too apt to
receive scanty and perfunctory atten-
ton if they are left to a city council
alone.
In the larger body there is a great
variety of interests clashing with one
another, and many trades and deals to
be made. There is such temptation
to neglect or to send to the rear an
Improvement which has behind it only
the local sentiment of some portion of
the city that these comparatively small
matters get less serious attention and
less frequent remedy than they de-
serve. It has been found by other
cities that the only satisfactory meth
cd OF securing these local benefits is
through local associations There the
people get together and compare notes.
They are personally sensible of their
difficulties and their wants. They
form body of public opinion which,
although 1t might be weak in the
larger area of the municipality is ex-
ceedingly strong, vigorous and effec-
tive when applied within the ward.
The representative of that ward in the
city council knows, when he receives
its wishes plainly and properly ex-
pressed. that something must be done
about them if he hopes to retain his
position or to prosper politically in the
future.
1c1 NH
permit politics to enter into their de-
alterations or mix themselves up with
big issues affecting the conduct of the
city government or the DEVELOPMENT
of the city as a whole. that they are
liable to abuse or open to failure.
Their greatest and surest curse is the
entrance of the political element. To
be absolutely non-partisan and non
political is the first condition of their
existence. Next to that in Importance
is the barring out of big questions.
For instance, the Improvement as
sociations of the city were generally
split up short time ago on the ques-
ton Of the bond issue. This illus
trated both of the abuses to which
they are open. 1t had become a po-
htical issue by the selfishness and the
efforts of few politicians to make it
such. and in any event it was one of
those general questions touching the
! policies to be followed by the com
| munity as whole with which local as
sociations should not deal. The same
may be said of the gas franchise That
relates to the wider municipal policy
| which the council itself, as a whole.
must determine. No one ward has
much greater interest in 1t, or presents
much different conditions, than any
other. The introduction of such ques-
| tons is almost certain to breed dis
| sension, and thus to defeat the pur-
pose for which these admirable asso-
| Citations have been called into being.
We hope to see an Improvement as
ISOLATION In existence and doing eff
fective work In every ward in this
city. We hope to see them alert, vigi-
liant and successful. We hope to find
each alderman compelled to be strict
ly responsive to their demands and
| anxious to be present at each of their
| meetings, to explain his course when
| necessary, and to give pledges for the
future. In this way the Improvement
associations may become the third es-
tate in our city government; divorced
absolutely both from politics and from
the regulation Of large municipalities,
but supreme in their direction of local
affairs and successful in rescuing these
minor interests from the neglect that
now so generally overtakes them. The