Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-06-26
WESTERN CITY HAS
"CLEAT TOWN" CLUB
In stitution That Is of lnestima
BILE Value to Any Com
mUnity-

A thriving western city has organ
lied "clean town" club, its object
being to rid the back streets OF rub
bish, to cultivate civic pride and to
make the community proud of the sur
roundngs of home and highway. says
the Independent. or course it had its
beginning in a woman's club. where so
many good things have their origin,
and 1t is particularly commendable as
a sensible outlet for the energy and en-
terprise OF women associated for help
! fulness.
In this instance, it is explained, the
members, being far from public libra
ries and reference material, could not
easily study archaeology or ancient his
tory; hence they took up the matters
nearer at hand and endeavored to i'm
prove their home town. Far be II from
us to deprecate the study of archaeol
ogy or of ancient history, but there is
something In the clean town" idea
, that seems u great deal more personal
and helpful than either. Where Is q
| community that does not need such an
organization?
I Large or small busy or lethargic, the
| American town has too many loose
ends. II has streets that end aimlessly
In COW lots or In back yards Uttered
with weeds and tin cans. 1t has alleys
that are hldeous with tipsy fences aud
unpleasant heaps Of refuse. 1t endures
signs that offend eye and taste because
there Is none who has courage to lead
In a movement for their abolition. The
field for the exercise Of mutual interest
| In the correction of abuses Is limltless.
The reason why our towns are not
clean from physical point Of view Is
not that the dwellers therein lack per-
ception, not that they are satisfied
with conditions. but that they have not
awakened to such an enthusiasm for
changing the situation as will induce
them TO act. 'rhe 'clean town" club
furnishes this needed stimulus and
brings concerted action In the direction
In which II is most needed.
So many persons are content to let
things 20 a. they will and so few are
willing to lead toward better things!
In a little city Of the Interior a mer-
chant offered last spring 500 for the
best kept lawns In the town. The
amount was divided into several prizes.
and the specifications limited the con-
test to certain classes of homes. For
instance, properties costing more than
$4,000 could not compete; those worth
1900 and less were in one class; those
from 1920 to 5000 In another, and
30 on, with certain extra prizes for the
owner who did all the work on his
lawn. hiring no assistance. The editor
Of the daily paper, a preacher and a
iaborer were made committee on
awards. All summer the townspeople
ns they drove around the city In the
evenings looked at the lawns and Won
dered which would win. All over the city
were smooth shayen swards, cannas,
salvlas. ferns and ornamental plants
In profusion never before seen. II
awakened the artistic side OF the home
makers, and the result was worth any
amount OF lecturlng on the duty Of real
estate Improvement. The prizes were
forgotten in the Interest taken in the
flowers and the grass and the vines. II
reused the better side OF the contest
ants and did the town good.
Financial interes. is responsible for
most Of the loose ends. 1t means a sac
rifice for somebody to make the change
ueeded. A prominent lot Is heaped
with old machinery because 1t is con-
genieptly near an implement store. OBJ
noxious slgnboards distigure the lot
opposite the church because small
rental is paid by the sign poster. The
back street is not graded and improved
because II would mean increased taxes.
Until the spirit of town pride rises
high enough to overcome these things
and the community is willing to give
up some Of its possessions and selfish
desire for the good OF the whole the
towns will be ragged and lacking In
beauty
The "clean town" Idea goes further
than expensive improvements, 1t does
not cost much TO keep the highway
free from refuse or to rid the alleys Of
rubbish. II these things be done, the
club has accomplished much. II It will
go step further and help clean the
! community OF business houses that are
unworthy, OF saloons and cigarettes
and loafers, II will add much to its
helpfllness. The task is a large one.
IL " mistaken notion that only In
the city is there opportunity for refor-
nation: that only 10 centers OF popula.
ton may the spirit Of helpfulness be
invoked In the small town. In the
hamlet. Is as much demand for the
good ottces OF sturdy men and women
who have the good OF the community
Ut heart Indeed, ii often takes more
courage TO act thus In the face OF ac-
quaintances than In the city among
strangers. The clean town" idea. the
town without loose ends and ragged
edges. is one that well may be studied
/ ana fnllO~ad hnfh aaSt and x,as,