The Detroit times., 1911-07-31
Plan TO IMPROVE
CIVIC GOVERNMENT.
IS LAUNCHED
Gov. Woodrow Wilson and SEN, la
Toilette Win Be There
TO boost II. -.

~ A
MADISON. wis. July. sl.--Point.
Of agreement between progressive
Democrats and progressive Republi
s cans will be shown at the University
OF wisconsin In October, when Sena
tor Robert M. LaFollette and Cover
nor woodrow Wilson unite In q cal
10 the citizens of America 60 take 9
hand In their own government.
Both Of these leaders will advocate
the use OF existing public property
for the development OF civic intelli-
eence. through the open presentation,
free discussion and debates or pub
lie questions.
The occasion OF this gathering is
the FIRST national meeting OF the So
cial Center association OF America.
This organization aims to make every
school building I'm America, In city
or country, not only place for the
education Of children, but commun-
munity social center as we'll.
After q three years demonstration,
the success Of this plan In Rochester
called forth from Justice Charles -.
Hughes, then governor, the words: Il
am more interested In what you are
doing and what Il stands for than
anything else In the world"
Edward j. Ward, who had charge
Of the work In Rochester, was APP
pointed recently chief of the bureau
Of Civic and Social Center Develop
nenf IN the extension division OF the
University Of Wisconsin.
Where social centers are organised
IA Wisconsin the university supplies
not only lectures and libraries, out
material upon all mooted public cues
dons Recently II began the estab-
IIshmenf OF the hrst state motion pic
ture exchange In America to supply
educational moving picture hlms for
uee - social centers.
No longer Is this movement linn
tied TO Rochester, N. Y, or the state
Of Wisconsin. New York, Chicago,
Piftsburg and fifteen other cities have
appropriated funds for this develop
ment and In more than q hundred
cities the movement II under way.
Schoolhouse auditoriums for neigh
borhood use are being built. In some
cities. notably Minneapolis. anditori-
uns are being added to existing build
U9s.
AZ conference in Dallas, Tex, re-
Gently. delegates from more than so
towns and rural communities gather
ed 10 report upon the progress Of so
cial center development In their com
munities
Here a. some results Of the use Of
public buildings % social centers.
Il removes the prejudice that grows
out Of lack Of flrst hand acquaintance.
Al The first social center opened In
Rochester two people living I'm OBJ
Dosife sides Of the same double house
became acquainted for the first time.
II fosters cooperation In commun-
~ enterprise. The first modern so
cinl center established In q rural
community was the means OF form
InE cooperative shipping associa-
ton, which secured lower freight
rates.
4 makes for clean recreation In
place OF dissipation. In Milwaukee,.
fhis movement has thus tar resulted
is supplantine beer gardens by pub
III recreation centers.
Consciousness Of democracy
A the fundamental result upon which
al else II based. The social center
movement was the means OF shak-
inx 20 IT, foundation and marking for
final destruction the corrupt boss
systcm Of Rochester.
II A this demonstration Of the 90.
cfai centsrs &c q means OF education
ana democratic expression that has
interested Gov. Wilson and has caus-
"a Senator LaRollette to say:
d SHOULD this movement become
renoral Il would unquestionably re-
rnlf III the establishment Of foun-
{IafiofI or intelligent democraoE which
win make civic progress not only
rapid hut conservative and sure