Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-01-01


zen has for the place where he makes
mis- home. We began in an open
meeting of citizens called together
by the mayor to discuss what could
be done for the improvement OF For
est Grove. Before the first meeting
adjourned some of the citizens had
pledged themselves to begin the next
day, each over against his own
) house, by trimming trees, burning
rubbish, and repairing his sidewalk.
More than money, the cooperation Of
every man, woman and child was de-
sired. The Civic Improvement So
ciety Is the one organization with a
membership and interests irrespec-
tive of sex. politics, or religion. The
purpose of the society is, as stated in
the constitution. ITO improve and
beautify the city of Forest Grove; to
aid in keeping the streets, sidewalks
and public places neat; to do any
thing that shall add to the attrac-
Itiveness of the city, and the beauti-
flying of homes; and to promote COM
munity life" Standing committees
delegated with the more important
interests report occasionally before
the executive committee, and In open
meetings. Expert workers and popu-
lar lecturers have been invited to ad-
dress the citizens: prizes have been
offered school children: rose shows
and citizens suppers have been held,
and a free reading and rest room is
maintained by the society for the use
not only of the citizens of Forest
Grove. but for people from the sur
rounding country. These are some
of the ways we have been of service
The reflex influences are not easily
estimated In other ways than have
already been suggested the contaglon
of good example has manifested it.
self in improved lots. and pleasanter
homes; new houses of pleasing archi-
lecture have been erected; school
buildings have been enlarged; new
Industries developed. AS the Civic
Improvement society is purely an ad-
visory body. there is no progress but
by free-wlll service of the citizens.
We point with pride to the fact that
we have no revenue by special IL
censes for public improvements.
The sense of personal responsible
ity as manifested by the citizens In
their care for homes and business
houses is the most hopeful indication
for a more beautiful Forest Grove
In any community disorderly condi-
tlons result from Incidence and care
lessness rather than deliberate inten-
tion. All civic Improvement work
is educational; II may even be called
IA missionary enterprise. II must
work from the foundations; condl-
tIons In general must be bettered be-
fore the aesthetic sense Is developed
by any appreciable extent. II must
bo remembered no city can be improv-
ed In any large way while details of
Ineatness are neglected An eastern
artist maintains that color blindness
( Is the result of arrested moral devel-
! lopment. Not 10 realize some of the
disorderly conditions Is little short
OF crime. To allow ones own yard
10 be so untidy that II is an eyesore
10 nelghbors is selfishness of an al
most hopeless type. II avails but lit
| tie to keep down thistles and other
weeds in a lot when a neighbor al
! lows the winds of heaven 10 distrib-
ute seeds from his own neglected
garden or adjacent lawns. II
takes time to keep these III weeds in
sub lection. and for this service we
should train the children who are
often more active than their parents.
Organized bands of boys have made
clean streets in many cities. Until
the conscience of all the citizens is
alert there can be no complete re-
form. In municipal betterment even
one transgressor destroys much civic
beauty. Affiliation with the National
Civic association keeps civic improve
ment workers in touch with all plans
that pertain to the betterment OF
the people. Frequent clipping sheets
are sent out as a clearing house OF
methods.
The impetus 20 manifold improve
ment has influenced industrial cor
porations not only in factory better
ment on welfare methods. but also
the factory beautiful" Every de-
tail that adds to the comfort is ar
ranged on the theory that all such In
fiuences improve the quality OF the
work of artistic development OF
city. Railway companies also lend
lthair aid Some COMPANIES offer