The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-21
woMEN,s CIVIC LEAGUES.

The following special to The New York World from Kalamazoo, Mich, tells Interestingly of the work of the, Civic League there and of what can be accomplished by united effort in any sort of undertaking:
 The women's Civic Improvement League, through legal committeepbf the Charity Department, is attempting to assist poverty-strieken women, bur dened with shiftless husbands, to se- cure legal separation, and already three suits are pending in the local courts that were begun by attorneys acting for the league.
 A systematic effort to rid the city of chattel mortgage loan sharks has already been instituted by the women of the association. The women are taking the initiative in all matters of improvement in all civic lines, and they do not hesitate to appear in court to testify as witnesses when the occasion requires. In the league membership Is a delegate representation from all the women clubs of the city, including the Ladies Library Association, Daughters of American Revolution, Clery City Cut of coiored women, Twentieth Gen. tury Club, Methodist Pastors Union. St. Luke Guild, ". c. A. U. and Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Association.
 Early last year the league planned and successfully carried out a civic house. cleaning. Sending a committee from the association before the Council. the women indueed the Aldermen to allow them a sum equal to the amount then being paid for cleaning three blocks of the principal street of the city. The league promised In turn te personally superintend the cleaning of that stretch of pavement, at a price less than was then being paid by the city, and besides they promised to keep the street clean. Through the efforts of Mrs. Crane, the Colonel Waring sys- tenn of cleaning was adopted and four
 men were sent out with carts and
 brconns. dressed in white suits. Mrs. Bartlstt Crane and associates in the league work were on hand to direct ! four White Wings as the advances guard az Ilnst filth and dirt. The work | was so thoroughly and cheaply done | that the Aldermen iisrosed of the ro- tary steel sweeper and ordered that all pavements be hand-swept, and that the street cleaners be attired in white coats ar helmets. The plan has work
 ed fully as well under the management
 of the city officials as 1t did under the direction Of the women of the league, and Kalamazoo streets arc marvel of cleanlin sss.
 The women have in their work of at- tempting to beautify the city gone to
 the school children, knowing that to in- ! terest them will mean more care in
 lawns, delight in flower beds and added
 beauty to home surroundings.
 The Junior City Improvement League has organized and now has a member l ship of LIDO. Three sets of prizes were offered for the best plants and beds | and vegetables. The Commercial Club | became interested and offered cash prizes for the best essays on What nFw~ Tn fR Mai KoIn
 mazoo Cleaner and More Beautiful" The work along this line is progress Ing satisfaot orily, and the Junior League will reach a membership of 2,000 before the end of another year. It was through the personal efforts of the omen Of the league that the City Council enacted an nnti-spitting ordinance. No fayorites are played and men In all walks of life are being re- ported as violators of the act, The latest department of the league organ
 ized is that to deal with the poorer classes. The charity work Includes tho giving out of clothing and provisions. A ,oodyard Is m lintained where men willing to work are giving employment for which thsy are paid with checks on, groseicss. Money Is never given, but the tickets may be exchanged for clothing nr furniture
 At meeting held this week, at which the 'eag le members and the Commercial Club attended jointly. Mrs. Crane presented figures she had gath cred. She found that there are 260 chattel mortgages in force in the city upon wh'3 3h S7 to l20 per cent Is being paid annually. The total amount of the mortgages reaches S12.500. She told of one man who had borrowed SIC had paid 1t back three times and still owed the principal A joint commit tee has been appointed from the mem bership of the two organizations, and legal action will be begun against the six companies doing unlawful busi- ness.