The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-10

It g big job to introduce a city to it. self, and it's a certain fact that most American city dwellers are not very wei informed about their own resources and opportunities. The expression, This is an age of specialization" is pretty well worn out, but it's truth is more apparent today than ever The average business man knows his chamber of commerce and board of trade, the laboring mans S viewpoint is often limited to his trade union, the social worker often finds a panacea in his particular brand of re- form, and the minister sometimes finds difficulty in reaching out beyond his church walls. The trouble is that none of them Is well enough informed about his city as a working whole. Each one needs an introduction to his own city's esources-industrial, commercial, social and civic.
 That was the idea of a group of prom inent Boston business men when, about a year ago, they started a "Boston-l90o" movement-a cooperative plan to get the entire community working together for better all round city. The way that plan is working out ought to be of interest to every American city and town looking to future growth and development.
 From the beginning it was the plan to put the movement on a broad, repre- sentative basis There were more than 1900 agencies which had to be divided into groups representing their own special interests. Conferences of these various agencies were called and each section elected a stipulated number of directors. In addition to the special groups, the shareholders of Boston--1915 (shares at a dollar a piece) chose five directors to rep resent Boston and five to represent the suburbs. So at the time of first meet ing the complete directorate numbered S5 men and women who will from now on manage the movement.
 The classified groups represented are: Business organizations, charities and cor rection, education, health. labor organi- cations. neighborhood welfare religious organizations, art, music and drama, civic organizations, city planning and housing, cooperative associations, women's clubs, and organizations working with youths. The Boston-1e15 exposition Ca graphic means of introducing a city to itseID was held during November, and was twice extended, finally to the middle of De- cember. In six weeks there was an att tendance of nearly 100000 people. The school committee and the vocational bu- reau were brought together. with the re- suit that vocational direction is estab- lished in the schools Cooperation was secured between business houses, labor unions and public service bodies in as- sisting the Y M. c. A. to establish part time engineering school. A series of schoolboy games were held during the summer Over 170o boys were enrolled. and there were 45O entries for the final meet.
 Boston-19l5 has found another hold on the youth of the city through medals for "city progress" to be awarded for extraordinary service to the municipality. Organizations and societies as well as individuals are competing. The medal is being designed by Bella S. Pratt. To in- terest still more the boys and girls in city problems. under approval of Bos- ton-1915. the Boston Home and School association is arranging for essay con tests on good citizenship between diff ferent schools. A "city guard will also be organized to report offenses against city housekeeping to the department of
 Just at present, one of the most active 1915 committees is on the 'saner Fourth" A pamphlet is being distributed showing the los of life from the annual masa- ere" and staff of young surgeons is CO., operating by addressing parents, teach and children on the dangers of high explosives
 housing committee has been carry ing on a thorough investigation for sev- eral months.
 The plans for the exhibition in 1915 are developing. To show the city ''as a going concern"--that will be the object of Ie exposition. The idea is unique. It will be a display of Boston itself-schools. parks. playgrounds, government, finances, industries, housing and institutions. Through means of automobiles and street cars groups interested in certain phases of social. civic or industrial development will be taken to special institutions. or ganizations, shops and factories. In order to keep Boston informed about the plans of 1915, monthly magazine-the Chroni- cle of Boston-1915 will be published. The first issue appears this month.
 All in all, years retrospect shows an admirable spirit of cooperation aroused,