The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-01-25

have become patterns and watchwords for other cite
IN the matter of civic improvements, and in each o.
these the initiative has come from the impetus O.
some individual citizen sometimes male and more
often female) given to organization, and, by cooper
alton of its executive secured the results so noted
in those cities.
There is one thing which we should never lose
sight of, and it cannot be too strongly impressed on
the minds of this department. viz A foresight of
the future needs of growing city, and preparing for
it. Many cities, like individuals dep1ore the fail
ure to secure benefits in advance of its needs, when
they could have secured them at an almost insig-
nficant cost Boise needs activity in these lines
than any city which 1 know. She has already al
lowed too many opportunities to escape her, and
must hasten action now if she would be wise 1t is
actually criminal to the future taxpayer to neglect it.
Bonded Indebtedness fixed on the coming genera
tons for worthless institutions cause great cry
against the perpetrators of it. yet the failure
cure future benefits for growing city by the entail
ment of reasonable indebtedness is Just as repre-
hensible
Nearly all of the public utilities are in the hands
OF private concerns may we'll be, but they
should not be- In this respect are as wise as most
Cities yet the question deserves consideration
But where parks, breathing spots, drive
ways riverside promenades, street-ang1e properties
awaiting future statues, drinking fountains and
the many other things which city ought to secure
while it may and at little cost. 1t is not neces-
sary that they be improved and beautfed at present.
their requirement would cost little, and there would
be no tax other cost of maintenance to be met
being city property.
To be capable organization, there are many
problems for to solve many plans to discuss and
choose many unforeseen difficulties which only the
experienced and wise can foresee, to be met No one
person, and no set of persons, should presume to
attempt to say much less do, the things necessary
for city.
Therefore we should organize, not for single
Improvement, but for the entire set of Improvements
necessary, so that the entire plan will be harmo-
NOUS whole composed of distinct parts so that when
any one part is completed it will stand out as sug-
gestion to the people what the whole may become
further, it will be cheaper, there will be no work
o be done over to make all harmonious, and from
business standpoint, the more Jobs in view for a
will cheaper contracts and better
work. on the first undertakings.
We should invite into our organization the archi-
ect landscape gardener business man. financer stu
ent OF progress, traveller, urist, physician and phil
nthropist
On topics OF government, public works, public ut-
es, morals, society, ETC., this paper will not deal
hey are subjects for special papers, some of which
ill follow, and on whose rights we have trespassed
'me already; but constrained to touch on one
vision because it is in harmony with what have
ready said
The model city presumes model people A city
populated by selfish people, where expenditures,
and public functions are made by and
the pretentious in society only causing the classes
be out of sympathy with each other or worse
actual antagonism to each other makes condi-
m untavorable to civic Improvement, bar to