Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-28

idea was accepted with enthusiasm; and
is being carried out.
The story Is interesting of itself, and
is important because 1t contains valuable
suggestions to other cities which ought
to be remade in similar manner.
The man who did it was George e.
Dealey, manager of the Dallas Daily
News, and to that enterprising paper the
success of the movement Is very largely
due. 1t not only started. but has guided
it: it not only aroused the interest of the
citizens, but trained them TO direct their
efforts in a manner that was most eff
fective, and has educated public senti-
ment to understand and appreciate the
advantages of the improvements that are
now being carried out.
To Whom Credit Is Due.
The chamber of commerce. a we'll or
sanized body of 6+7 members. composed
of the business men Of Dallas, has fur
nished the motive power and its secre-
tary and executive officer, ]. r. Babcock,
has acted as chief engineer. To him much
credit is due for the persstency and the
ability, the ardor and enthusiasm with
which he has performed his important
part. Behind the chamber of commerce
has been a progressive city government
always ready to respond to suggestions
Of value and carry them out with prompt
ness and energy. and back OF all has been
public sentiment and progressive civic
pride which has appreciated the efforts
that are being made to improve Dallas
and has shown itS confidence in the peo-
pie who are doing the work.
In February. 1869, Mr.. Dealey read a
paper on city planning before n local
club. calling attention to the modern
ideas that were being adopted by other
cities and the defects that everybody saw
in Dallas. This paper attracted much at
tention and comment. In May following,
a. national city planning congress was
structed the correspondent of the News
at that city to give especial attention to
the proceedings and to write a series OF
letters placing emphasis upon whatever
was of direct interest to Dallas.
These articles were clipped from the
columns of the News and sent to twenty
five Of the most thoughtful and patriotic
citizens of Dallas. with the request that
they write OtIt their personal views upon
the subject and offer suggestions that
applied to Dallas and other Texas cities.
Kept Hammering Away.
The responses were published in the
columns of the News. All of them eX-
pressed strong desire to see the much
needed improvement undertaken as
promptly as possible. The editor Of the
News kept hammering away on the sub
ject each issue Of the paper contained
arguments. and opinions from citizens as
we'll as from the editor. and many valua-
BILE ideas were developed IN that way.
In January, 1910. believing that the
time was ripe. the president OF the
and the secretary. Mr.. J. r. Babcock,
were called into conference by the mana
ger of the News, and 1t was arranged
that a definite plan should be presented
to that body at once. This was done
January %. when a resolution was unani-
mously adopted committing the chamber
Of commerce TO a general remak1ng or
the city for the purpose of correcting its
defects and improving its physical ap-
pearance so far as 1t was possible.
A special committee was appointed 10
provide ways and means for fully organ
izing the movement, and the 1rst step
was to call a mass meeting TO De al,
dressed by Mr.. j., Horace Mcfarland or
Harrisburg, Pa. president OF the Ameri-
can Civic Association, who devotes his
entire time to such patriotic work. Mr.
Mcfarland responded, as usual, with en-.
thusiasm. He came to Dallas, delivered
a lecture on city planning. and met
nearly all the leading citizens of the
place, whom he inspired with much valu
able advice. The immediate result was
the appointment of committee OF forty
ment League. and it's members were d.
vided into subcommittee to take charge
of various branches OF the work.
The executive committee was given
general jurisdiction as a central body to
coordinate the various forces and to Sc
cure active and close cooperation. Under
the rules 1T shall be general supervisor
over the work Of the subcommittee, and
as additional work shall cover all points
not specifically covered by the subcom-
mittees. 1t shall be within the province
of this executive committee to represent
the league and the citizens of Dallas. in
cooperating with the city government:
in securing the proposed expert city plan
ming and in the execution OF the plans
adopted and to assist all civic bodies
having for their purpose industrial prog
ress and civic and social advancement.
Public Hygiene and Sanitation.
"There shall be subcommittee on pub
lie hygiene and sanitation. 1t shall have
to deal with all problems involving a
cleaner city. the proper disposal of all
wastes. such as garbage and sewera ge,
the cleanliness OF streets, public places
and buildings. tie healthfulness of food
and drink supplies. the enforcement of
the health laws. the tabulation and COM
plat of statistics and Information lead
ing to the prevention Of disease, the study
Of causes and defects. and the correlation
and cooperation OF disease preventing
agency.
There shall be a subcommittee on
city and district housing, which shall
have to deal with the study Of meth
DDS applying to the whole housing
situation in Dallas: to furnish practical
and economical designs for sanitary
and attractive houses suited to the
needs Of our growing laboring popula-
ton, and to promote the construction
Of such houses. having in mind the
economic loss which occurs from the
construction Of low cost buildings.
which increase the fire hazard. and
overcrowding. which tends to foster
disease and crime.
There shall. be a subcommittee on
municipal art and design. The spe-
cial duty OF this committee will be to
create public opinion which shall in
fiuence private citizens in the erec-
tons of buildings to conform in char
acter to the high standard Of munich
pal art This committee shall have
the authority to approve or disapprove
OF the artistic character OF all public
works, buildings, bridges, monuments
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