The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-05-07
IMPRESSIONS OF MoRRISTOWN

By j. Horace Mcfarland, President OF
the American civic Association.
An interesting letter from j. Horace
Mcfarland the president OF the Amer
lean Civic Association written to his
host while here, setting forth his inn
pressions of Morristown, follows:--
J. Horace Mcfarland, President,
Harrisburg, Pa.
Clinton Rogers Woodruff, Vice
President and Acting Secretary, Phil
adelphia.
William B. Howland, Treasurer,
New York.
Office of the President,
Harrisburg, Pa, April %, 1907.
1t seems to me well to write a
few words in relation to the visit
to Morristown on Friday evening,
when addressed the Friday Even
ing Club, the Civic League, and some
of the citizens of Morristown upon
"The Crusade Against Ugliness."
/ have rarely had the pleasure of
seeing community with such fav-
orable opportunities for creating civ.
ic beauty at little expense under coz
ditions which would cause that beau
ty to be appreciated promptly by
those who every year spend millions
of dollars for beauty. In fact, | may
say / have never seen equal oppor-
tunities, and | do not believe they ex
ist in America, taking into account
the chance to do the necessary things
quickly, without great expense, and
within easy cognizance and attention
by those who would be interested as
citizens and investors.
Morristown's remarkable situation
on a number of low ridges and it's ex
tremely happy street plan present
two of its unique advantages. The
water courses within its borders, sim
ply awaiting proper handling to give
parkway and playground facilities
are Of great advantage to the idea
The wooded elevations of considera
BILE area which may readily be. obtain
ed as scenic parks add to the remark
able natural facilities possessed by
Morristown for rendering herself
uniquely attractive.
There is a notable focal point o.
historic interest in the Washington
Headquarters building with it's sur
roundings, and the delightful little
central square, some of the buildings
about which are attractive in charac
! ter, adds another point of Importance
in the number Of opportunities await
ing development
The railroad approach to Morris
town is not encouraging, and the sur
roundings about the station are abom
I Unable. Surely the Delaware, Lacka
wanna & Western Railroad would be
willing to do something in connection
with the city itself to give Morris
town conditions at least equivalent tc
other communities not so well-to-dC
and not so favorably situated for an
Eenlarged railroad travel If the rail
road company will not do this, then
the town can at least come up to the
railroad right-of-way with considera
tion of attractiveness that would
very greatly improve present condi
tions and tend to bring the railroad
company into action.
In considering this matter there is
need for intelligent advice. Morris
town has an interested and able Ma
yor, and number of her citizens see
the possibilities of proper treatment
10 m
however, that their opinion will not
have as much weight with the citi.
zens in the matter of authorizing ex-
penditures and bringing about the
desired end as will the opinions OF
men of national reputation devoted to
such work. l therefore suggest the
consideration of what has been aptly
called "the Harrisburg PIan"-that OF
getting concrete advice upon the
city's needs bv private initiative, to
be afterwards submitted to the pub
lie for approval and action if found
wise. There are a number Of men
of national reputation who could
serve Morristown we'll, and it only re-
quires little courage on the part of
her citizens to place themselves in
line for a notable development in the
way of such attractiveness as will
bring people of the most desirable
character to her as residents.
A pamphlet published by the
American Civic Association, "The
Awakening of Harrisburg" gives
some account of the concrete plan OF
which | have spoken, under which the
city referred to has secured vast
and notable advance in five years,
which advance has been immensely
to its benefit In the way of material
prosperity.
Yours truly,
J. HORACE MCFARLAND. !