The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-03-28

i should be universal Every man takes
the same pride in the cleanliness OF
the city that he has in the appearance
of his house snd. yard. This yearly
assembling OF the people OF the city
for a day of house cleaning and united
effort Tor the Identification of the city
is bound to be far.reaching in its eff
feet. 1t will keep alive the interest of
every resident in the great work
throughout the entire year.
One of the big results of the work
is the reduction of the death rate,
which. l am told. already is very low
in this part OF the Northwest, and it
will so toward depopulating hospitals.
1t is certain to spread abroad the fame
of Spokane. and it means increases
in the valuation of properties and add
ed wealth, to say nothing of attracting
population and capital.
This is only one of the many re-
forms for which the cities and towns
in the central. eastern and southern
states are indebted to the great North
/ vest, where people do things. 1t is a
great work and should be encouraged
| everywhere
or epoch-forming significance. as an
outgrowth of the city cleaning CAM
/ paign. was the organization of a city
Plan committee, consisting of 80 liber-
al and esthetically educated business
and professional men, to work out a
program, sane and practical, for
water, sewer, transportation. parks,
bouleyards and municipal art for Spo-
kane for the next so years Experts
regard this as one of the most import
ant. sensible and far-seeing pieces of
practical business wisdom yet under
taken by any American city, declar-
ing that the idea of conserving the
city's best interests in such forecast
is worthy of the highest commenda-
ton.
Spokane Is determined upon having
civic center, and such enthusiasm
Was aroused upon the subiec. by the
intelligent agitation of the city park
commission that the Chamber of Com
merce discussed the subject at length
and appointed a special committee,
which already has presented plan
Tor the eity's consideration. The pro-
posed site is idea for location, as it is
; in the heart of the city. affords full
view of the Spokane river and the
magnificent falls. and possesses the
additional advantage of not requiring
The demolition OF any existing large
building Several fine public and
senlipublie structures already occupy
fully three-hfths of the site.
Spokane city has 1I2 acres of parks
IN various parts of the city. Recently
ire people voted in favor OF issuing
bonds 10 the amount OF 81 100000 to
develop the present sites and others
10 be acquired The newly installed
government-five commissioners, who
are working under what is declared to
he the most advanced charter in oper-
alton anywhere also has elaborate
plans for municipal improvements and
Identification, and altogether Spokane
wears an air of success. of activity, of
prosperity and of progress.
George Wharton James. one OF the
foremost municipal art critics in
America, says in closing an extensive
article in The Twentieth Century Mag
azine.
81 regard Spokane as one of the
most. IL not the most enlightened and
hopeful of the younger cities in re-
gard to general civic art improve
ments that the United States has to-
day, and most heartily commend its
spirit TO those who are seeking the
way to educate and arouse public
sentiment in their own cities as to
| what should and can be DONE