The Topeka state journal., 1906-06-25
BEAUTIFY TOPEKA
Prompt Responses to Appeals
From Solicitors for Funds.
WOmen's Clubs Asked to Co
operate in Work.
FEW REFUSE APPEAL.
Will Improve City Parkings and
Trim Trees.
Make This a Model City and
w REFUSE APPEAL.
Make This a Model City and
Prepare for Semicentennial.

"The Civic Improvement league is
starting off nicely" said Josiah Jor-
dan to a State Journal reporter this
morning. "Of course the hammer
crowd was prepared, as usual think
il John D. Rockefeller should offer to
donate the city of Topeka a two mil
lion dollar park set with all the rare
plants, trees and shrubs that money
could buy. this crowd would jump UP
and solemnly assert that it was 'un-
constitutional and Illegal There are
few dead ones who will not keep
step with progress in any way, shape
or form. However, I am free to say
that the persons I have met, so far,
are practically in favor of some such
a movement. All do not agree on
details.
1T Is admitted that the city is not
quite ship shape We need to spruce
up a bit before we go before the
Kansas legislature asking for a half
million dollar appropriation for the
Semicentennial. While II is known
that we have one Of the prettiest towns
in the west, it is admitted that many
of our streets are ragged.
Those who ar encouraging this move
ment believe that q good place to be-
gin the process of beautifcation is in
our street parkings. There is scarcely
a block in the entire IS or 40 miles
of streets where some kind of improve
ment is not needed. It may be the
trees are too close together, or some
obnoxious tree is found there. or some
negligent property owner has not
trimmed the trees: others have died
and need to be replaced. This kind of
work must be done. 1t is a herculean
task. In the present state of our cfty's
finances it is useless 10 ask the coun-
ell TO take on any additional burdens.
The founders of the legaue are ask
ing the council to appoint a forester
whose entire time and services will be
GaV0TR6 r1nY p 1rc IN So -oke
Ihe league Will pay the salary of the
forester, and it is believed that by
making slight addition to the street
force, all the work of trimming and
cutting and planting can be accom-
plished. The nonresident property own
ers who fail to plant trees or care pro
perry Tor those growing in front OF
tneir lots, Will be compelled to bear the
expense, as the law authorizes this
expense to be charged on the tax roll
This work must be commenced
very soon, If we expect any adequate
results in five years. Trees grow
slowly-chopping and trimming trees
is slow work It is the intention of
the league to interest the residents Of
Topeka in other lines OF civic Inn
proVement- Alleys and back yards. as
well as public grounds. school yards
etc, viii be given due attention BY
September first we hope to have five
thousand members. It is believed that
some rousing mass meetings will be
held at that time, and complete or
ganization effected. We expect each
organized club or society in Topeka
to appoint standing committee on
civic Improvement. and we hope to
cooperate with these committees.
We have number of lady members
already, and intend to enlist the club
women as we'll as all other women in
our movement. It is my idea that
women usually make better workers
along the line OF civic improvement
than men. It is my understanding
that women are largely responsible
for the success of the West Side For
estry club, which was the first one
organized in the city.
THE work Of enrolling members
could be done much easier and at less
expense if those interested would send
in their names, or 60 to some bank or
newspaper Office or business house
where our cards are hung up and
give their names IN. Our collectors
are willing to call for the dollar mem
bership fee-but want names, and
want them now.
Il would like to have every one who
reads the Journal go to the nearest IN
dependent phone and call me up, No
9S7-3, give me their name and address
and tell me where to send for the
dollar. We must have a general re-
sponse if we succeed.
I'VE think that there are very few
persons who can not afford to contribute