Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-06-15
CIVIC IMPROVE.
MENT DISCUSSED
The Residence of Mr.. and Mrs.
E. w. Ellis Was the Scene of
a Large Gathering Friday
Niqht.

Of civic interest.
The program was most interesting
and those who made the effort to be
present, feel more than repaid by
/ the information received. The Rev
Fred Staff, who spoke on "Commis-
sion Form of Government had inves-
! tigated his subject so thoroughly
that he gave comprehensive reports
from five leading cities in different
parts of the country, which had, had
! the Commission Form of Government
| in operation long enough to test its
merits, Eau Claire being among the
number. This report was especially
valuable because it was given from
an unbiased viewpoint, no personal
opinion being expressed. Rev. Staff
in fairness had written to newspaper
editors opposed to this form of gov
ernment, who in reply stated, that
thus far they were unable to name
single case where this form of gov
ernment had proved a failure.
| Mrs. Mead in a report of the Civics
| Committee told of work accomplished
and of future plans. The committee
promises that before August LIST
drinking fountain will be put in near
the Library park to take the place
of the present necessary but insight
ly water pipe.
A timely paper which all should
have heard, was given by Mrs. E. B.
Brundage, on THE Typhoid Fly"
| She presented conclusive evidence
| that open bitches, faulty sewerage,
and neglected back yards are most
prolific breeding places for this sum
mer pest. Nearly all contagious dis
eases, especially tuberculosis and ty'
phoid fever become epidemic thru
neglect in exterminating the fly.
Following an intermission Mr.. T.
| W. Brazeau gave a report Of the
City Plan" as suggested by Mr..
Manning The completed plan has
not yet been submitted but we We're
made to see that by developing our
| Natural resources, a city second to
none in the state, in beauty, may be
ours for a comparatively small ex-
penditure of money.
In general discussion of the
City Plan which followed Mr.. Bra
zeaus talk Mr. Meade spoke of the
advantages, both commercial and ar
tfstfc of a River Wall, back of the
store buildings. A wall with a steel
supported side walk, would certain
ly be advantageous, as it would pro-
vide for a rear entrance to buildings
thereby doubling frontage for the
business men along that street.
Mr.. c. E. Boles gave a short talk
on Street Paving" which tho briet
was much to the point. His talk may
be summarized by the following pat
poem which he read:
STREET PAVEMENT.
Washington, D. G. Starr
| They took a little gravel,
| And they took a little tar,
With various ingredients
Imported from afar;
They hammered it and rolled it,
! And when they went away.
They said they had a pavement
That owuld last for many day.
But they came back with picks and
smote it
! To lay a water main;
And then they called the workmen
| To put it back again.
To run railway cable
They took it up once more;
And they put it back again,
Just where it was before.
They took it up for conduit
To run the telephone;
And then they put it back again
AS hard as any stone.
They took it up for wires
To feed the 'lectric light;
And then they put it back again,
Which was no more than right.
Oh, the pavement's full of burrows,
There are patches everywhere:
You'd like to ride upon it,
But it's seldom that you dare.
It's a very handsome pavement,
A credit to the town;
They's always diggin' of it up
Or putin Of it down.
A letter from business man, whose
name was withheld was read by Mrs
B. R. Goggins. Attention was called
to the unevenness of our streets
and particularly our bad crosswalks.
1t was suggested that those who are
now satisfied with our streets, take
an auto ride thru the city. No fur
ther evidence would be necessary
on this subject.
Mr. Guy Nash closed the program
with talk on the East Side River
Drive. Lack of funds has not accom-
plished much toward the attainment
of this road.
The High Street Division served
cooling refreshments, Mrs. Mead
and Mrs. Berkey being in charge.
With the aid of electric fans the
house was made cool and comfortable
and at intervals during the evening
the guests We're entertained by Grand
Opera Selections played upon the Vic
trola.
BOYS CAMP