The Washington herald., 1910-10-20
The Beautiful City.

An important convention that is coming
10 the Capital during the third week of
December is that OF the American Civic
Association. It should be a great gath
ering. for Il will number among its dele
gates representatives, from local civic
associations in every section Of the coun-
try. This IS the association that has
given encouragement and assistance 10
many Of the local movements for civic
Improvement throughout the United
States. II has always placed its expert
ence and its knowledge in civic planning
AT the service Of any community. and by
the personal direction OF its experts, no
less than by its carefully prepared liter
allure, it has done more, perhaps, than
any other agency toward making the
American people realize that beauty IN
city is a very positive asset, not only
for the present. but one that shall in
crease in value in the years to come.
Il is said that the work OF this asso-
citation has grown more this year than
ever before. showing a general awaken
ing on the part Of the people 10 the i'm
portance OF the work. This year II has
advised and supervised many civic i'm
prOvements in communities, both on the
Pacific and Atlantic coasts. and from
the Northern To the Southern boundaries
Of the United States. special EFFORT
Is 10 be made at the coming convention
70 have all civic leagues and associa-
tions represented. not only that the whole
body may benefit by the experience of
the few, but TO the end that there may
be harmonious and united EFFORT IN the
Identification OF American communities.
And It is greatly 70 the credit OF the
American Civic Association that it does
not TX its standard of civic beauty on
the glories Of architecture. on bouIe-
wards, parks street lighting. monuments,
or what not These help. Of course. But
primarily IL has been recognized that in
civic improvement and betterment there
can be no true asthetcism without utill-
tarianism. No community is 10 be judged
beautiful because il presents in It's prin-
oipal streets or its public buildings scenes
Of art and beauty. The main thing is that
the city shall be clean and heaIthfuI-that
is the beautiful city. that is the most
livable city. And so it is that this asso-
citation has set itself particularly TO such
questions as the water supply. the poll
luton Of streams. the disposal Of sewage.
the cleanliness Of alleys and the purlieus
of cities; the destruction and the proven
lion OF disease through proper care, in
Guiding the doing away with disease
carrying insects.
Already the American Civic Associa-
ton has accomplished so much IN the
way Of reform and Improvement that its
work has been favorably noticed abroad,
and it is probable that at the coming
convention there viii be delegates from
European countries. But the important
point about this coming convention is 10
be found in the contention Of this asso-
citation Of experts that the beautiful city
is the clean city. In securing a clean
city. and association or a municipal gov
eminent can DO something. but far more
can be accomplished by the individual
Indeed, it must be done by the individual.
if It IS TO succeed. It is the duty of every
citizen, every householder, 10 see 10 It that
he does his share in making his city
beautiful by making it clean.
Col Roosevelt assures a waiting coun-
try that his voice will not fail before the
end Of the campaign. Even II it should,
h. IL