The Washington herald., 1910-01-06
IMPROVING OUR CITIES.
A Great Movement in which There
Is Work for Every Citizen.

Is Work for Every Citizen.
Charles Milford Robinson in the Craftsman
What Is the secret of that wave Of city
and town Improvement effort which is
so consplcuously sweeping over the coun-
try? Civic Improvement has always been
a need-nOt less great at the beginning
than now. though only in recent years
has Il led 70 energetic action. To-day the
movement IS conunent-wide. and has en-
listed all sorts and conditions Of people
Has one business or Industrial inter-
ests? Civic Improvement facilitates the
transportation OF merchandise by street
ard rail and water; it lessons wear and
tear By the improvement Of pavements;
il bToadens markets by the attraction Of
residents, transient and permanent; it
increases the efficiency of labor by the
provision Of a more wholesome environ
ment and the opportunities for health
iul. but inexpensive recreation.
Has one interest in sanitation? Pure
air pure food. and pure water are among
its objects; and better housing is one OF
its first desires. Public baths, clean pave
ments clean yards are included in its
propaganda. and it is one of the stanch-
est allies in the white plague" fight
Has enc love for little children? The
child Is the special ward of the civic i'm
prOvement effort For him the play
ground is equipped, for him the school
is made healthful, efficient, beautiful
without and within; for him are the
swimming holes in the parks. the skating
ponds and toboggan slides. the ball
grounds. the interpayground meets; and
for the little mother" are storytelling.
sewing. and singing; the swing. the flow
ers, and for her charges the sand box.
Civic improvement paints out the sign Of
Keep off the grass"
Does one look back instead OF for
ward? The worthy landmarks OF the
past are preserved. the historic sites are
marked, and the beauty OF earlier archi-
lecture is reverenced.
Is ones interest IN sociology? The
playground, the park. the better housing
make their appeal The social center. the
recreation house. with its evening enter
/ tainments, the better factory surround
| ings, the folk dance, the many and va
rious activities which are included IN the
growing social service Of the parks. even
the civic club Itself in its essential da-
mocracy. all this IS effort that will not
be denied.
Is ones interest IN art and culture
Suppose II is music There are the free
band concerts IN the parks. Or sculpture
There are the public statues and foUn.
tains- Or painting? There are the gal
leries, for which civic improvement
strives; the mural decorations IN the pub
lie buildings, the pictures in the schools
Or architecture? There are the monu
mental civic centers, the noble bridges
! the encouragement OF good design gener
| ally. the regulations imposed 20 protec
/ IT, Or is the interest in landscape art
! There are the parks, the ornamental
| squares and open spaces. the improve
ment Of grounds surrounding public ans
private buildings, and the preservation
Of viewpoints and natural beauty
Is one rich? To him appeal the drives
/ the increased splendor OF environment
/ the great avenues. Is one poor? Fo
/ him are the public gardens. the vacan
/ lot cultivation, and all that beauty ant
/ comfort and pleasure which is prOnereC
/ 20 the citizens as a common possession
Does one love animals? The drinking
I fountains on the streets. the sheep OF
/ park meadows, the birds and waterfowl
even the zoo and aviary make him p re
| cruit
Is one a craftsman? There are III
| street furnishings TO interest him-nam,
| signs, light standards. trolley poles-al
the fixtures of the common way.
Does one, without pretending 10 art We
/ loving beauty and grace and fitness, fee
affection for the city and town where me-
| congregate. and desire 70 surround wit
! pleasantness the lives Of the people? II
may enter the billboard fight. Join tn
lanti-smolIe leagues. encourage the proven
tive work Of the juvenile street cleaning
organizations, join the tree planting so
cieties, and work 10 secure municips
control Of the street trees and exper
I care for them.