New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-24
"Start Something" the Motto OF
Fresh Air Community.
POWER OF MAYOR ABSOLUTE
But Department Run by Con-
fectioner-in Chief Makes Big
gest Hit with Youngsters.

where, III consequence TIC llAlldDiAdlAS Y
a great deal Of time left in which 10 Tive"
Ashford Hill is a Tribune Fresh Air set
tlement, with a population Of about four
hundred. OF this number nearly seven
eighths are Juvenile, the remainder includ-
ing a numerous staff Of attendants and a
corps OF servants. The Juvenile portion Of
the population. moreover. changes every
two weeks.
Everything Is run on the community plan.
There they sleep in dornitories accommo-
dating twenty-five or more. eat in COM
mon dining room. battle in common lava
tories. and, in short. plan and do all things
in common. Moreover, community duties
are highly systematized and specialized.
How Mayor Austin Runs Things.
At the head Of affairs at the Hill settle
ment is Burton c. Austin, who has beer
Mayor Of Ashford Hill now going on IF
teen summers winters don't count there.
The policy of the Mayor toward his con-
stituents might be expressed in the self
sacrificing words Of the worthy Captain
Reece, commanding of the Mantelpiece."
who II will be remembered, once addressed
to his crew the memorable words:
by any reasonable plan
III make you happy Il I can;
My own convenience count az III;
II is my duty and / VIII
1t must he admitted, however, that the
powers Of the Mayor are absolute. He
appoints all community officers, assigns
each member 70 his or her community task,
makes all laws. sits as Judge IN all cases
criminal and civil, and inficts al sentences
and penalties. But a mayor, even with
absolute power IN his hands, Is likely 10 be
pretty easy 70 get along with when he has
adopted the policy aforementioned. At any
rate. you will find the youthful citizens and
citizenesses at Ashford Hill ready 10 raise
a rousing cheer for their ruler ar any time
an opportunity offers.
The management of other community sf-
fairs is intrusted 10 various departments.
At the head Of these is an attendant. who
Is assisted IN the work Of his department
by a corps OF Juvenile helpers.
In the first place. there is the street clean
ing department There are properly speak
ing, no streets I'm this model community,
but there are seventy wide acres OF billy
woodland for the cleanup staff 70 look
after. Every morning IT'S members NAV
be seen diligently picking up papers. rak-
ing over the baseball diamond. setting the
playground benches IN place or sweeping
the play paviions and the verandas ~ the
various buildings. And when they have
finished their work not even "Spotless
Town" IN all its glory was more spick and
span.
Then there Is the department Of water
supply This Fresh Air settlement Is "a
city set on a hill" and all its water has 10
be pumped 70 Il. OF course, the pumping
IS done by an engine run by an experienced
engineer. But there are the pipes. which
are laid above ground and have 70 be in
spected daily 20 see II any have sprung
leaks The bows can do this. and can also
stand guard 10 see that nobody wilfully
wastes water.
Then there is the postoflce department
quite an important one when Il IS borne IN
mind that the dwellers on the hill are, ex-
cept for the attendants between the ages
81 five and twelve years. and have been
separated from fond mothers and fathers
only a few days at the most. Hundreds Of
postcards and letters have 70 be written
and dispatched 10 tell OF good times or
inconsistencies or childish needs. Then, too,
the mail has n be carried two miles 70
Ardsley. the nearest postofice. All this
makes work for the postmaster general
and his staff Of Juvenile helpers.
To show the extremely cornmunistic
spirit of Ashford Hill ~ is only necessary
10 mention a few departments not usually
found in most communities. rural or urban.
hut which are looked upon as quite in or
der here
First in the hearts of the populace IS the
Department OF Confecuoner IN Chief He
is a worshipful fellow. who appears IN
corner Of the Postoffice Building twice
daily with boxes Of assorted lollypops, pep
nerr1int sticks and all-day suckers, which
one can buy at a penny apiece. II one has
the rennv. or n one has no penny this
worshipful individual will tell Of some
slight task which when done will be re-
varded with ones choice from the cOnfec-
toners store.
Another peculiar but most necessary de-
nartrnent Of public service is the Depart
ment OF Rips and Rents. one which is nat
ursllv turned over 70 the feminine portion
~ the settlement. This is most active dur
ing the two or three Gays preceding the
return ~ the Juvenile members Of the com
rnunity 10 the city. Then. as the wardrobe
If the greater number consists chiefly or
one suit Of clothes or one dress. and as a
two weeks vacation amid the liberty Of
Ashford Hi IS likely 10 bring about rents
ana rips. 10 say nothing OF a heavy loss
in buttons. the girls fail 70 and ply needle
and thread with such good effect that most
90 away with clothes that are az least
whole. even II a patch here or seam
there does pucker a bit
Recreation the Chief Aim.