The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-12
Civic Movement Was Begun
There Four Years Ago.
DIR. Crumbine's Advice "SWat
the Fly" Not Needed.
MAYOR HAS OWN IDEAS
Says Imbues Citizens With
Spirit OF Progression.
Advocates Cleanup Day and Not
Much Politics.

Seneca, Kan, July 12.-As a result
of the Model Seneca movement. the
town not only is free of tin cans. but
all other debris as we'll Every block
in town is organized for improvement
work and every block has a captain
to direct the work. The captain wears
button as his emblem of office.
Prizes are given for the greatest
improvements by blocks, and this sys-
tenn brings on many good natured
contests. Houses and barns are kept
in excellent condition, trees and lawns
are trimmed regularly, fences and
sidewalks are never allowed to become
dilapidated, and a King drag is used
on the streets. Attractive store fronts
and neat, clean shops make up the
business district. Stairs leading to Of
fees are swept every day. Loose paper
is deposited in cans and burned every
day.
The city council. headed by ]. H.
Cohen, the mayor, and the CONNER
cial club headed by c.. c. K. Scoville,
work hand in hand for model Sem
eca. These two men are rival bank
ers, but when it comes to working for
the good of Seneca they are like broth
ers. There is a civic improvement
committee made up of city officials
and Commercial club members whose
duty it is to keep up interest in the
movement. When anything in town
needs attention. bad street, a rick
ETY. gate, mussed up show window,
or anything of that sort-notice is sent
to the civic improvement committee
and an investigation is made. If the
facts warrant action, the block cap
tain is notified and the evil is correct
ed promptly
Seneca to swat the fly. That is a part
of the civic improvement scheme.
Flies are nearly as scarce in Seneca
as snakes in Ireland. Even the liv-
erymen have screens on their barns
A visitor to twenty bacl. yards was
unable to find anything to attract flies
Seneca, therefore, is good town Tor
doctors desiring the rest cure.
Mayor j. H. Cohen, who is serving
his fourth year in Office, has been ac-
tive in carrying out the wishes of the
people for civic Improvement. Com
mercial clubs in many cities have writ
ten for the Seneca plan. Here is
Mayor Cohen's recipe in brief:
"Civic Improvement embraces every
thing known to the uplift of man. 1t
is not a money making job; it is a
work of love- The secret of making
civic work a real pleasure is to take
the drudgery out of it. Here is a
short outline of the things that have
helped Seneca: Undue every citizen
with the spirit of progression, the live
wire kind Gain the respect and CO.
operation of all. Work in conjunction
with the municipal authorities, the
wide awake clubs and the newspapers.
Make a careful selection of a captain
for every block-no blockheads. Out
line the seasons work, but do not d.
vulge the plan for more than a week
ahead. Use double column advertis-
ing space literally. Advertise gen.
eral clean up day, but do not waste
sapolio on politics. Then have week
for tree trimming The under clear
ance should be nine feet. This gives
the large hats perfect freedom. Have
tin can day for the children-that's
a real picnic. Call meeting of the
block captains-an old fashioned ex-
perience meeting. Suggestions for
sidewalk and curbing are seasonable
all summer. Place waste cans on
street corners and keep the streets
clear of rubbish and paper. Encour-
age thrift and loyalty to your home
merchants