The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-07
Mr.. Woodruff Praises Business
Men at Commercial Club.
Secretary Municipal League De-
clares They Surpass Others.
BUILDERS OF CITIES.
Points Out Progress Made in
Civic Affairs Recently.
Modern Workers Have Many
Great Problems.

About sixty members of the Com
mercia1 club listened to an able address
this noon on 1.-The Relation Of Business
Men to Civic Affairs" by Clinton
Rogers woodruff of Philadelphia, sec
rotary of the National Municipal
league which has an enrolled member
ship of nearly 10000.
Il believe that business man are per
haps doing more in this country for the
uplif- of municipal conditions than any
other class of men," said MI wood
ruff. 1.-The college men, for example
have not done one-tenth OF what the
business men have.
81 can remember little more than 10
years ago when the Municipal league
was first formed when the business
men took only a languid interest in
civic affairs.
I'm Grand Rapids there is a body of
business men known as the Grand
Rapids Board of Trade. which has as
its objects the increase of the popula-
ton and the stimulation of the business
interests OF the city among other
things
flowers among the factory people in or
der to stimulate interest in identifying
the homes. 1t conducted a milk ana
cream contest 1t is a significant thing
when a board of trade feels called upon
to see that the food consumed in city
is pure.
but it wouldn't be really city beaut1-
full until you have it a city sanitary.
Tells of Boy Problem.
This board of trade also secured
the old Kent fair grounds for a de-
tention ground for boys This indi-
Gates that the business men are di-
rectly interested in the welfare of the
boys. Every community has its quota
of boys who on account of their in
u, I4
which get them into trouble.
"The new idea represented in the
juvenile court is to see if something
can't be done to eradicate the diff
Guilty and give the boys a new start in
life.
ssThe board has identified itself
with a movement to beautify the city.
Here in Topeka before you grow too
large make sure that you provide for
the future by securing large open
spaces for park purposes, and estab-
fishing boulevardS. A progressive city
thinks of this generation and those to
come. 1t seems to me that it is very
fitting that the business men who are
far seeing in their own line of work
should work for the city's good. 1t is
good advertising if that is what you
are after.
''The city of Cleveland adopted
what is known as the group plan.
The business men have by a great eff
fort got the city hall, chamber OF
commerce, library and other build
ings in a group and these buildings
are already valued at s32,0O0,00O. 1t
gives that city a distinction among
other cities.
I'm Grand Rapids the board of
trade had what they called the Sec
ond revival They carried on an
educational campaign that was far
reaching. In most cities there is too
wide a space between the city officials
and the people. If the business men
do not keep in touch with the city
officials the administration is likely to
suffer. So in Grand Rapids they
have the system of weekly meetings
the business men and discuss civic at
fairs.
Work for Topela's Good.
You should have series of talks in
Topeka on municipal questions in order
to make the officials feel that they are
for its good.
''The slogans in the cities are ipdica-
tive of the new spirit which now exists
peka will not hold her own unless the
business man take a keen interest In
municipal affairs"
invited guests, including Mayor Green snd
others dined with Mr.. woodruff in the
private dining room in orier to discuss
matters OBTAINING to the t city goy ,ttno
present were: c. D. Skinner, chairman;
McEntire, b. T. NichoI, c. B. Burge.
Others at the lunch were p. /. Bone
brake, W. H. Kemper, J. VIII Kelly, T.
A. Borman, Mayor Green, w. j. Ricken-
bacher, DR.. PettyJohn, II Ward Page, e.
H. o. Spielman.