Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-11-20
BETTERING A TOWN.


In all improvement work there must
be one OF more entering the field who
will persist to the end-years IL need
be-until something worth while is ae-
complished. The darkest hour is just
before the dawn, and opposition to n
movement Is usually fiercest as a final
struggle. When a good stiff fight Is
made without breaking up society
the fight for the latter Is won. for ON
its side is organization. The opposi-
ton, as rule, has none. There are
in every community few sometimes
very few indomitable spirits who new
err give up a task until completion, no
matter what obstacles or opposition
is to be overcome. In fact, opposition
only seems to increase their energy |
and enthusiasm.
The name Improvement society,""
like charity, often covers a multitude |
of sins; but, as some wit has remark
ed, that amt its regular business"
When a society is formed it should not |
attempt too much. 1t is first neceS- |
sary to show the public that you have |
the general good at heart and that |
1
| needed Is not awry. AS a rule gen
| eral interest is easy to keep going If
you hold weekly or semimonthly
| meetings and provide literary and
| musical programmes or refreshments,
but such meetings butter no parsnips.
| The greatest good is accomplished by
those who persistently peg away at
| every opportunity and really at all
| times, keeping in view the particular
task set. not allowing the public to
lose sight of. much less forget, it, says
the Los Angeles Times. If the sub
| ject has to be resurrected every little
while the cause grows weaker with
! each revival. Such course as here
| In outlined takes rare courage and
executive ability if success is to be at
tanned. If it be a billboard fight 1t Of
ten involves antagoniZing nearly all
the merchants in town-often q ma
jority of the moneyed interests. New
ertheless the right shall ultimately
prevail. Stand firm in the right.
Every city and village is interested
in attracting home seekers, business
men, investors-in fact capital in any
form. How may they expect it unless
the place is made inviting? Ungraded,
weed grown, treeless streets will never
appeal to any one. All will shun such
slovenly communities for those that
present neat and thrifty appearance.
First impressions are lasting, n fact
which every one knows. 1t being pat
ent to all who have ventured q few
miles from home that they have them
selves admired both private and public
, places that were clean and orderly,
how can they rest amid surroundings
where no evidence of civic pride is
. manifest? -
Seekers for homes or business In
vestments have no time in which to
become acquainted with the people Of
any center of population. They must
judge by the general appearance OF
the district and on to the next. The
one which most appeals to them will
be the one that is revisited with a
view to investment If on this second
| visit the attractions still impress, res
ident is gained. the place has won over
its numerous competitors. Every read
err of this article should ask himself II
his property. community, village, town
or city is bidding for public favor and
investments. If so, are you ready for
inspection? If not, what are you doing
to help yourself and neighbors? Are
you n ''live un' or are you a dead
uny' Do you really live in your COM
munity or are you just staying there,
"the world forgetting. by the world
forgot?' If you are in the latter class,
you should get out of civilization as
far as possible, back on the foothills
where you may lead happy-go-lucky
existence, which is altogether natural
most commendable life, one to be
envied by all. Yet so long as you re
main amid the artificialities of village
or city life keep up your end Of the
burden, make all really artificial by
Sticking up"
Every town should have an improve
ment society, with committees to work
on few of the plainly manifest tasks
that may be found in every community
In the land. Have the organization
simple and unpretentious, with few
rules, but make your work ''stick ou
like wart on your nose" Get people
who will devote some of their time t.
solving a few of the more Difficult
problems which appeal to all thinker
as those to be first overcome. FRS
clean your premises. that you may SCI
(without blushing) the dirt and weeds
In your neighbours. Next clean tn
streets and parkways, sidewalks ant
public grounds After this Is dom
tackle the street planting, and do no
rest until every street in town is full.