Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1904-01-15
ELLA BOND. JOHNSTON
Writes Entertainingly of What Could
be Accomplished in This
City.
To the Editor of the Palladium.

| want to express my sincere APP
probation of the excellent article on
the Identification of Richmond in
your last Saturdays issue, signed by
officers of the Tourist club. 1t is
natural that the much-trayeled Tour
our great need of a more beautiful
public life. 1t is helpful to be told
what other cities are doing in the
way of civic betterment, and whole
some to have our own civic blunders
criticised.
Perhaps, after all, Richmond is to
have her share in the great civic
awakening that is now transforming
many American cities and towns. I
believe there has been, through out
city papers, especially the well writ
ten column of the Palladium, and the
work Of the various clubs, more edu-
cation among us on this subject than
we realize In its collective signfi-
cance.
The university extension committee
started the campaign of education
when it provided the able lecturers
on civic and democratic art. These
lectures were the inspiration of much
of the club work that followed. The
Tourist club has been for some time
seriously discussing subjects that
pertain to the betterment of our city.
The members evidently have the mat
ter at heart and would be willing to
lend hand to the real work of
bringing about better conditions.
The Aftermath has included In its
programs for several years work in
civics and social topics; and, for the
past two years, has distributed flower
seeds to school children, inspected the
beds when in bloom and awarded
prizes to the most successful workers.
Much of the good work of the "Open
Church, of the South Eighth Street
Friends is exactly in harmony with
the aims of civic improvement work
elsewhere; for 1t seeks to promote
the ''higher life' of community as
well as to better material conditions.
! Our park board is awake to the fu-
| ture welfare Of our citizens, and
when we understand the full meaning
Of the children's playground move
ment and what it has accomplished in
other places, we will appreciate their
motives.
/ The Commercial club is a strong
/ i,o,.,p 81
full Of the work It has done for Rich
mond. 1t might initiate the splendid
example of the Indianapolis CONNER
cial club, which has just recently de-
clared its intention to make Indian
apolis clean and beautiful Or the
even more noteworthy example of the
Minneapolis club. 1t is being realized
everywhere in these days of the civic
renaissance that clealiness and beau
/ ty have a money value.
Our common council did an unu-
sual thing last year in recognizing
/ the civic value of the art exhibit, and
placed Richmond on record as being
among the first, if not THE first
eO''AA Ii bhO Sou1tlJ "
money from its treasury for an art
exhibit for its citizens. The council
also, IN its effort to remove the dis
figuring telegraph poles and in its
appointment of a committee on boule-
wards, has shown a commendable ap-
probation of the need of making
Richmond more beautiful place in
which to live.
| The Richmond Art association has
worked faithfully for seven years to
influence the standards of taste in
Richmond, and to bring the culture
and happiness of art to all the people.
It has added to the executive board a
chairman on municipal art, and plans
an exhibit illustrative of this subject
for the coming June exhibition. The
association is a member of the Am
Continued OH eighth page.)