The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-03
cIvIo rRoeREss IN rHE souTH.
Member of the American Civic Associa- ton Finds in the South That In-
 terest in Art Is Growing.


 tton Finds in the South That In-
 terest In Art Is Growing.
 Mir. John Nolen, a prominent mem- Der of the American Civic association, recently made an extended trip through the South and reports that one from the North or East cannot fail to be surprised and impressed at the health Iy stir and improvement that represent the present prosperity In the Southern States.
 But more striking still and more significant" he says, '1s the fact that the interest in higher things--in art and in beauty--does not seem to follow material well being as is usually the case, but to be actually gofncident with it. In this way the true and es- sentiaI spirit of the southern people finds it's natural expression.
 Tt Is not a new lifes It Is simply the overwhelming of the better part of the old which has been ready to respond lat a moments notice, it is noticeable, moreover. that this keen interest in the larger and better things of life espe- cially in all forms of outdoor art, Is in no sense confined to rich and we'll to-do people; 1t extends to nearly all classes and Is especially noteworthy in the agitation for public Improvements.
 More than half my time on this re- cent visit was occupied with public
  ples as the Charlotte. CN. e Parks and Tree commission. the Municipal league of Greenvville, CS @ the ThomasVille, (N. co orphanage and Davidson college. The Park commits sion of Charlotte has had plans made for important improvements to Vance square and Cemetery square near the centre of the city, and Is about to un- dertake work on Independence park In the suburbs an unusually appropriate and attractive piece of property for park purposes. The Municipal league of Greenville has taken definite steps looking toward the organization of 9 park commission in that city. The |management of the rThomasville orr phRnage has adopted plan of ina provements including complete sys- tenn of paths and drives. The president of Davidson college IS taking definite action toward the location of new buildings that twill soon pc necessary from the rapid growth of this insti- tution's enroIlment.
 "A visit to the mill village or the Monaghan mills at Greenville (S. @ in company with it's public spirited president Mir Thomas F, Parker, was full of interest The mill is situated on high ground. from which a fine view of the Blue Ridge mountains can be obtained, The property includes an area orc yer ouO acres, anu dTOuHu the mill are clustered cottages of the operatives. Each famry has a house of it's own with small plot for vege- tables and flowers. Everything pos sible is done to awaken an interest lin gardening; seeds are provided free of charge and flowering shrubs at q nominal cost Many of the families have their cows and pigs and some of them horses. These are all kept in barns and free pastures are provided by the company MT. Parker Is deeply interested in the comrort and conven- Gence of the mill hands and in the good appearance of the grounds sur rounding their little homes. Improve ments, however. must be made slowly, as the total cost of small improve ments is very great when multiplied by the number of houses on the com pany's grounds. A good school and kindergarten are provided for the chil- dren and they are kept open ten months in the year There is also a church, | public hall, r. M C. A. and Y. w. c. A. The rent of the mill cottages is low, the charge being 75 cents per room per months, which includes gardens, pas lures. and SO on