The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1909-01-28
Birmingham, and its Betterment.

LID, OCOI6O D. w o1U, 10 6SAA0 CIV SAS
task of beautifying that city in a
systematic manner that is bound to
produce results. If he does not sue
ceed in his purpose of making Bir-
mingham a more beautiful and
cleaner city, and so city more fit to
live in, then it will be because the
citizens fail to respond to. his sug-
gestions or to join him in his endeav-
OrS. ar-s
Mayor Ward has sent to: each in
dustrial plant or manufactory Of one
sort or another in Birmingham a re-
quest that it plant ivy or some other
clinging vines around the walls of its
establishment; he asks each Of them
to clean up the premises, as faf as
possible and that any unused land be
set to grass or made into flower
plots.
TO the women of the city Mayor
Ward has sent a letter asking them
to lend their efforts in the campaign
for cleanliness and beauty, and urg-
ing them to plant flowers either In
their gardens or, if they have not the
space, then in window boxes and the
like. Further, the mayor requests
the women to organize themselves
into "Block Improvement Societies. .
Along with each Of these letters is
sent a tastefully printed pamphlet OF
suggestions and directions, including
a model constitution for the improve
ment societies and declaring that the
object of these societies is. Ito stimu-
81 In 0i1yin I'm nTnvdTn 0nf
and public affairs; to encourage and
assist the authorities in securing
cleaner streets, alleys and public
places, more parks, echildren's play
grounds and boulevards; to encour-
age the more general planting OF
trees, flowers and lawns, the I'M
provement of vacant property, and in
general to do all things that would
aid in the creation of a city beauti-
full, healthy and pleasant to live In"
This mayor seems to be imbued
with a genuine zeal for civic I'M
provement,- and to these ends the city
of. Birmingham will offer forty-four
prizes, to be awarded next spring,
four in each of the eleven wards OF
the city, and for the following &C
complishments:
1st. ): To the most attractive win
dow garden and boxes.
End. Premises, large or small,
kept by renters.
= 3rd. Premises fronting less than
100 feet kept by owners. ..
.4th.. Premises fronting 100 feet
or more kept by owners.
The pamphlet bent out by the may
or gives various hints as to the tech
nical details. Of grass and flower
planting, the most suitable varieties,
and standard prices of ordinary
seeds, and bulbs. ~. o
Among the general suggestions in
corporated in the pamphlet these are
of special force and excellence: ..
Pull down your fence. The city will
haul it away and keep OF the. COWS.
II you can't be induced to part with
it, fix it up and paint It,. CT :.
Exercise the same supervision over
your sidewalk as over. your front
yard. Sidewalks are the index OF the
kind of people inside.
Plant strip of green in bare
places along sidewalks. The city will
furnish street sweepings, if the haul
is not too long. --.,.-.-,-
Sweet peas, climbing nasturtiums,
castor beans, hollyhocks, or even
sunfowers, make an effective screen
to hide old fences, sheds, or other un-
slightly views. For permanent screens
use hardy shrubs or the quick-groW'
ing vines.
Encourage your children to help
the good work along by training them
to pick up papers, sticks and other
rubbish, wherever found.
When street or sidewalk is torn up
and is not properly repaired, call up
the mayors Office and give the name
Of party responsible. ~ !.
This is a mayor that means busl.
ness. This is the spirit of energy and
enterprise that will mean a better
and cleaner and more beautiful city
We congratulate Birmingham.-Co-
lumbia State.
Bill Passes Senate.