The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-06-05

The movement begun yesterday by
Mayor Ward, if taken up by the citizens
of Birmingham, promises to do wonders
for the city.
1t is seldom that the city officials take
any interest in the troubles of the house.
wives, but from this date the person who
is suffering with careless neighbor will
have nothing to do but call together her
friends, organize an improvement society,
and proceed to make the whole block re-
fleet and magnify the beauty of her own
lot.
Railroad men who have recently visited
Birmingham declared their great astonish-
ment in finding the city as beautiful as
it is. In two more years every block and
every lot should meet the highest require
ments. These societies might have such
constitution as would make it imperative
that a~careless member obey it's provis-
ions All the difficulty of calling his at
tention to his carelessness would be done
away with. He could be carried to a
meeting and imbued with the spirit before
he knew it.
One lady in each block would be re-
quested to take up this organization and
present it to her neighbors. 1t will be
pushed with all energy. The city will give
every aid. Every organization, and every
action taken, when given mention in
the news columns will encourage further
effort.
The idea is to make Birmingham beauti-
full and great.
Mayor Ward in further discussing the
movement said:
The Mayors Advice.
''These block improvement societies will
not only maintain but add to the beauty
which has recently commenced to demand
admiration from visitors and is making
Birmingham talked of throughout the
United States.
Everybody does not realize it, but
beauty is one of the chief assets of any city
even when measured in dollars and cents.
Beauty is simply one form that wealth
takes.
Every piece of property will increase
in value in direct ratio with its own at
Effectiveness or that of its surroundings.
1T will also deteriorate in the same ratio
by neglect or by proximity of unsightly
premises.
Neglect or lack of taste on the part
of few people in one neighborhood will
minimize the good work of all the others.
1T is evident that the inertia of those
who do not care how their lots look or do
not know what to do in matters of this
kind must be overcome.
1T can be done If each of these organ
zations drives steadily toward the follow
ing simple and inexpensive hints. The
city Will cooperate in every way possible
when called upon.
The Mayors Plans.
Pull down your old fence. The city
will haul 1t off. If you can't be induced
to part with it fix it up and paint it.
'Whitewash everything you can't paint
PLANT lawns, flowers and trees. Where
ever the ground shows bare plant some
thing green in it.
Exercise same supervision over your
sidewalk as over your front yard. Side
walks are the index of the kind of people
inside.
Trim up trees which are too low and
which overhang sidewalks.
IF there are any dead trees around null
them up and start new ones.
Report anybody who mutilates or ties
horse to tree. You get half the fine
on conviction.
PLANT strip of green in bare places
along sidewalk. The city will furnish
street sweepings if haul is not too LONG.
cut weeds always while young and
tender. 1t will save you money and please
everybody.
very Special-Keep sewer inlets free
from trash 1t saves your street from
washing and keeps the sewer clean
when street or sidewalk is torn up
and not properly repaired call up the
Mayors office and give name of party re-
sponsible.
Report any unsightly object in your
neighborhood. If possible it will be
ramedIed.
Don't let your dog bark all night. Think
of YOUR neighbOrS'