Evening star., 1911-08-30

upon them already, often by vote OF
enormous ma ajorities of the taxpayers
which shows their popularity. Public
schools and public libraries. which we ad
mired for their buildings, their equipment,
their training. in the nineteenth century
would not content US in the twentieth
century. Changes in the curriculum or
our schools have been rapid and radical,
present. But the teachings OF the lead
ers in this field Of thought have been
adopted by cities with auickness and
fervor that would have astonished our
fathers. The age of the wireless teie-
graph and telephone snatches new idea
as a swift bird snatches it's prey and de-
YOURS it without waiting. There may be
regrets but they will come later. On the
whole, however, tested by such fruits as
have already appeared. the changes are
for the better. especially those Tor Voca-
tional training.
A New City Spirit.
.As in the man, SO in the city, the spirit
is the most important. AS a city think
eth in its heart so is it. It's spirit deter
mines its life. We are all ready to con-
fess now that in the nineteenth century
the spirit OF most cities was not right.
As rule it was undeveloDed. uninteih-
gent, lacking In conscience and IN VIII
power The civic awakening. OF which
we naturally speak in terms OF religion.
reused, revived the spirit OF the city ana,
indeed, often brought about regenera-
tion. so that practically there was new
spirit. The city more and more is re-
penting and beginning new life The
old standards common to city and coun-
try and to all men alike have been dis-
placed by higher standards, and more I'M
portant still is the religious enthusiasm
of civic endeavor. Civic patriotism has
come to many cities. The men and wom-
en- have learned that they are responsible
for their city and can make 1T what they
will. They know that only the purely
official work can be delegated. They
fessional politicians what they were by
their neglect, and also that putting busi-
ness men in Office is not the cure-all that
it was thought to be, since the revelations
of the past decade have shown that there
are as many rascals in business as IN
politics, or rather. that human nature is
the same everywhere. They have learned
that in the duties Of citizens, as in the
duties of officials, inefficiency is dishon.
esty and that selfishness is the root OF al
civic evil They have learned that JUS
tice is better than charity. They have
learned that they must know their city
to learn the causes of municipal Ills. and
knowing the causes they have found tina,
most Of the ills are not only durable, but
preventabie.
The Ideal City.
1.-The ideal twentieth-century city. witf
a pure water supply, pure milk supply
pure food supply, without slums o'
dangerous congestion without insanitarS
or infiammable buildings, with genera
knowledge and general practice OF heaitf
rules. with righteous and enforced laws
as to labor especially that OF womer
and children. above all with the socia
Justice of true democracy, will have
smaller and smaller delinquent, defective
and dependent classes and higher ordei
| of citizenship - 49,, :.
cities where the majority now live W.
must accept the conditions and make thu
hest of them. This can only be done
through the spirit of the city. Its In
| teIligence must be developed and cuu
Gated it's conscience must be qulckeneu
its will mower must be strengthened by
excrcise. Experience has already showi
that there is nothing impracticable II
such vision.
Government by Commission.
"While it is misleading to say that the
municipal business is just like othel
business since the element of profit max
ing ordinarily should be lacking and eff
cient service should be the one thins
considered, it is true that the problem:
are chiefly business problems in larg,
sense Therefore, the desire for small
executive so as to secure the advantage:
of private corporate mana cement to oul
cities has prompted the movement for .
| change from mayor -and-council form o.
government 10 the commission form o.
government which also makes IL easiel
| to place responsibility. Over hundred