The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-03-13
THE NEW CIVIC SPIRIT.
IDENTIFICATION OF HONOLULU.

do not violate. the rights of the public.
Business is organized on basis far
different from Ruskins plea for So
cialization of business. 1t has been
found difficult to found business con-
duct on the social affections. From
the other point of view, the combina-
tions of labor are equally partial and
/ superficial The public seems to be the
last consideration. Indeed strikes de-
! pend usually for success upon the
| amount of suffering and inconvenience
which can be imposed on the public
Politics are based on the party system
| and their objects as announced in
works. if not in words, is certainly not
to purify The slogan which we hear
| on all sides of keep the parks or the
| schools out of politics" is a sufficient
commentary Questions which are be-
: ing settled by popular initiative or
referendum are protest against par
| ty system which does not represent,
as it does not always consider, the
wishes of the people.
| One vigorous protestant has stated
that in all our varied life, there is not
one democratic institution. This is
broad assertion for a country which is
| supposed TO be .'of the people" but
/ even casual view around shows how
I ineffectively the supposed instruments
! of democracy express the will of the
4 people and how little they do to create
/ or arouse a better public sentiment.
| One of the forms that the protest
! this coming into their own-has taken
is the Improvement Association in
which the handspring of action is the
communal force. Hardly any progress
sive town is without them. From ham,
let to city they have arisen to supply
what seems to be an inherent defect in
government. The Morgan Park assoc
citation has taken up the better care
of the streets, the opening and pres
ervation of parks, the regulation of
lighting and other franchises-in other
words has organized itself to do the
very things which the government is
supposed to debut does not do. This
association does not confine itself in
membership to men but welcomes wo-
men and children. There is a degree
of appropriat eness in the fact that the,
women are assisting in the housekeep-
ing of the city. When children are in
cluded a double end is served. Not
only is their assistance secured in the
present service to better government
and better conditions of living but they
are learning lessons for the future.
I feel fairly convinced that for per-
manent civic pride it is better to de-
pend on voluntary service. 1t is more
difficult to arouse and to keep aroused
but in the end it is best for it carries
with it the weight of an irresistible
public opinion. Towards the accom-
plishnent of this part OF the plan there
is no more sure, more effective or more
lasting method than by the early edu-
cation thro' direct participa ton of the
children. In planning or undertaking
emphasis should always be laid on the
distinct community need about which
a vigorous public sentiment may be
aroused, and by which the community
may be educated in common and unit
ed action.
The South Park Association of Chi
cago gives promise of becoming a per-
manent and prominent social institu-
ton. 1t has led the way for many
others. 1t has suggested that trees be
planted and has furnished trees for
the planting. 1t has laid out a COM
prehensive system of landscape gar
dening for the city. 1t now proposes to
erect Town Hall which shall not be
the home Of the civic corruption but
shall be place for social culture.
The Municipal Ayt League of Chi
cago was organized for the purpose
of promoting art in the city, and abat-
ing public nuisances, as preliminary to
the stimulation of Civic pride" 1t set
before itself certain tasks which SEEM
ed to be preliminary to the "stimula-
ton of Civic PRIDE They were as
follows:
cd The suppression Of the smoke
nuisance as necessity for making all
other improvements appreciable.
''t2) The improvement of the whole
lake front; not only the Lake Front
Park but the boulevard system of the
North Side and its connection with the
Lake Front Park by an outer viaduct
and bridge or subway.
"(3r The improvement of designs in
use for gas and electric light posts.
postal boxes, and waste paper recep-
tacles and Introduction of electrically
lighted street-name signs.
8 90 The proper regulation of bill
boards.
"(5) The harmonious grouping of
business or private houses belonging
to different owners without detriment
to the interests of each
go Conversion of vacant lots into
temporary lawns and Fairgrounds by
neighbors.
20 Improvement of designs for
signs, on business buildings, and ask
ing cooperation of the real estate
board in adoption of standard designs
Tor lots for sale and houses for rent"
These things seem desirable and not
unreasonable and yet their accomplish
ment will be a slow process. Rookie
Teller can build a University, Carnegie a
Library, or Hutchinson an Art Gallery.
out no millionaire can abolish the
smoke or can reconstruct the city. A.,
The work of the Civic Improvement
League of st. Louis has some unioue
features which which may be worth
considering. The necessity of doing
something to beautify the city before
the opening of the Fair made the work
of organization of a local association
comparatively easy. With characteristic
Western spirit it was organized on n