The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1907-07-11
Yital Forces OF CivicB ettermen,


~ rho Editor Of American, Homes
Rsa4 and Gardens, s
Civic betterment. municipal enbsl.
Iishment, public ~art--call It what
you willis the newest and latest
form of artistic endeavor. Ana II
might truthfully be called the most
popular, for such 1t seems to be IN
many senses. Certainly 1t Is the
form OF art most now talked about,
and II the results achieved to date
have not been in direct proportion
to the discussion 1t has caused, that
has been more due to the brief period
under which it has been discussed
and the many practical difficulties
that attend realization than for any
other reasons.
The agencies which are now IN
terested in civic betterment are very
numerous. Many of them have no
art interest whatever, but are con-
[ cerned with practical matters OF
health and sanitation which are OBJ
viously of greater Importance than
any questions of beauty or pure en-
bellishment. Transportation inter-
ests are also vitality interested in
civic betterment, interested not only
for the improvement of existing fac1l-
tiles, but interested also in the future
growth OF the localities they are
serving, whose own future will de-
pend so largely upon them.
The artistic aspect of civic better
ment is, as a matter of course, It's
least important side, the side least
needed. which ministers least to the
citizens necessities, and which, v
having been very prominent In con
temporary life, seems the n aspect
that can be most easily spared. Yet
this is the aspect that has been most
prominently brought forward n has
been most insisted upon. On the
whole this has been a very fortunate
circumstance. 1t is the artistic, the
visible aspect Of civic betterment that
has won its greater number OF sup
porters. People who could not see
the value of a certain kind of sewage
disposal-which they would never
see-could Immediately recognize the
merits of a public work OF art
which they could see-stood up for
the edihcation of all beholders.
There has been no loss in the insist
ence of the art point Of view in the
betterment campaigns. 1t has added
a host of interested supporters to the
movement, and given it a distinction
it might otherwise never have had.
Historically the artistic elements
stand easily first, for the Who'll agi-
tation began in urging the claims OF
a better outward appearance and In
setting forth the merits of certain
works of art which were desired for
certain localities. 1t was very early
seen that the setting up of a single
monument, the purchase of a paint
ing, the plea for more beautiful
flower gardens, and other like sug'
gestions were not sufficient. Public
betterment, it. was found, must be
general betterment. Those interest
ed in public health urged the greater
Importance Of their own specially
which they justly thought should be
developed before any funds, public
or private, were expended on orna'
mental and artistic matters.
The movement for civic bettermen1
has, therefore, taken on a very mucf
broader view than at first seemed
possible. 1t is now concerned, prac
ticalIy. with every public aspect o.
civic life. And what is very mucf
more valuable, most of the vita
forces which are related to this worl
are now more or less closely joined
in it. The beginnings of a grea'
work have been well started in al
effective way.