New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-16
A TOWN BEAUTIFUL.
DR.. TOlman's Suggestions for Social Improve
ments in Dunfermline,

Professor Patrick Geddes, who IS acting as a
sort OF consulting counsel TO the Carnegie Dunfer
line Trust. has applied TO the American Institute
OF Social Service for advice the disbursement
Of the immense trust fund to the best advantage
OF the people OF Dunfermline
The trust fund OF s2,5oC0CO was presented by Efr.
Carnegie TO his birthplace. Dunfermline Scotland.
absolutely without suggestions or restrictions from
him. TO be used for the social beneht Of the place
IN the way Its citizens thought best. His only
quest was that John Ross, OF Dunfer-nline. an old
personal friend Of his. should be chairman OF the
COMMITTEES In charge Of the expenditure OF the
funds.
This committee has applied 10 Professor Patrick
Geddes. who had much to do with the improved
housing and other reconstruction plans OF Edin-
hurgh for report upon the best method Of laying
cut the park which has been decided on by the
trust, and also upon the structures to be erected
in and around it These structures are to De
erected for specific purposes and among them will
touch upon almost every aspect OF Improvement.
material and educational.
DR.. W. H. Toman. Of the institute, visited Dun
termline last summer and studied its conditions.
o. Wnlcn ne has been mindful in his report to
Flo55essor Geades. krowing that Duniermline al
pools technical school and a gymnasium. he has
He recommends first Of all a social centre.
Die to- a 10 he l0SaITd he paLS easily asfeSS
contain hail for lectures, concerts. dramatiCs,
shows and other cpteri,iSTnents r. eboii,1d also
have class rooms for instruction in music. choral.
the appi,stions Of S s'a pIIboS o 81 arf 9
industries. and rooms for the teaching Of domestic
The social centre, saws DR.. Tolrnan. should have
winter garden. nlled with plants and shrubs. and
win ample promenades and seating capacity, TO
give the people pleasant resort in the long win
ters Of Dunfermline. There should be in other
section devoed f b Sn a 1TTy and
For another building he would have a regional
processes OF the local industries particularly those
the industry, as in weaving, from the earliest
with the most improved machinery M. Every Step
taken by the material. from the crude to the
OF transportation from the manufacturing centres
a scum. accompanied by explanations suited TO
the mind OF a child. would give every individual
whole industry and its relation to all the rest.
Or. Tolman would have a part Of the park ground
set aside for farm gardens. in which every child
under sixteen who applied for Il would have the
5 PLOT ct Of regular aehe TSe 6 liz
should have the crops raised by themselves and the
cash prizes. He would have also children's play
IN th Pd6 win 5he proper Df Saa
tennis grounds and bowling green should be In
sociafiohs and S Contests eeonraFed Oh
This Organizing Of the people in connection with
the buildings and other advantages OF the park is
dwet upon In the institute report. For instance
the yoah hs d o the Tad ea aa Rom
reaoing unions Among the latter he would have
a speciality should be made Of portraits Of famous
men ana women with Illustrations OF what they
have done for the world.
He would have a Get Together Club meet IN the
social centre. TO discuss subjects OF interest TO the
community on a common platform. one section
OF the social centre should provide list OF places
available for holiday tours for a single a few
DAYS. giving Information the objects and places
OF interest. historical and otherwise. within
reach OF the community. He would have organized
also whole system OF prizes and awards.
The most notable honor Of the year. SAYS tho
author 81 the report, should be the awarding OF
three social service medals. 20 take place the
annual anniversary OF the founding 81 the trust.
20 be known Carnegie Day. He would have the
awards consist OF three cash prizes accompanied
by framed certificates. The first should 20 70 that
member OF the community who. IN the opinion Of
the trustees. shall have performed the most meri-
tortOus deeds OF social service TO the community
The second he would have go 20 tho suggest
Ing the best device for safeguarding the lives Of
wage earners and the third 70 the best grown and
best decorative effects with flowers He would also
have a series Of medals 20 be awarded 20 success
ful competitors n oratory, music, art athletics,
Domestic economy and all sorts Of educational
work.
In one part OF the park he would have set aside
land for a Block Beautiful: model block, IN
which should be erected EMBELLISHMENTS dwelling
houses. within the means OF the wage earuers,
showing economy ana beauty Of construction and
furnishing. and possibilities Of gardening Every
object lesson house he would have provided with
window boxes and devices for training vines ard
ettra ctfve ehrubs