The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-07-04
PART IN
CIVIC PROGRESS
Work Accomplished In So. Oak.
Cities Outlined In
Magazine :

Inc great forward strides IN the
enlargement of woman's influence
in every sphere of life is a common
topic of knowledge in this decade,
but in no place is this progress more
noticeable than in the part taken by
women in the campaign for civic
improvements of all kinds. In a re-
cent issue devoted to this subject,
The American City publishes an art
icle by Mrs S. r. Wallis. of Miller.
OH Civic Betterment in South Dako-
ia Cities. Mrs Wallis writes as fol-
lows:
"Our towns are neither large nor
old but we are building for the fu-
ture by enlisting our young people
in this work. Many women's clubs
have civic committees, but in some
towns the women work through the
Commercial Clubs civic department.
Among the municipal improve
ments brought about by South Da-
kota women should be noted the
public drinking fountain erected at
Fort Pierre at a cost of several hun
dred dollars; also the five hundred
dollar band stand which the Mitchell
Art Club put up in the city's beauti-
full court yard. Flandreau has built
two bath houses on the banks of the
Sioux River, has vastly improved
the comfort and cleanliness of the
railroad station and is negotiating
for a central plot of land for a city
park.
The women of Sioux Falls have
been active in civic work since about
1879, when they founded a public Ii.
brary. Vacant lot gardening, beau.
tifying of school grounds and door.
Yards. supervised play at school re.
cesses, bubble drinking fountains
in public places, the eradications of
weeds on parkings and vacant lots
these are some of the activities OF
the Union Child Study Club, COM
posed principally of mothers of pub.
lie school pupils. The Woman's ALI.
ance of Sioux Falls was founded in
February. 1912. and is doing a wide.
Unknown social center work.
The Mothers Union of Huron. 2
band of women of all classes and
faiths, is working for child welfare
and to elevate the standard of home
life. 1t has maintained a lecture
course; has carried on a campaign
against the cigarette, and has sup.
piled good literature for the waiting
rooms OF the principal railroad sta
ton. AT the request of the Mayor,
the Union is now organizing a sani-
tation department which will estab-
lish White List" of public places
where food is on sale, and will wage
war against flies.
In Aberdeen, through the city fed
Grafton of women's organizations.
the following results have been
reached: Matrons have been put in
charge at the railroad station. in the
police department. and at a rest
room in one of the amusement parks;
a Y. w. c. A. cafeteria" has been
established on a paying basis with
fully equipped reading and rest
rooms in connection; there is inspec-
ton OF diaries, meat markets. gro
oeries. bakeries. etc. The Aber-
deem women r now planning
a mile-long avenue of trees from the
city limits to Riverside cemetery.
The Helen Hunt jackson Club of
Miller has beautiied the grounds of
the railroad station, has laid an ex.
.ellent walk from the town to the
a half mile distant. and
put the cemetery in order. 1t also
started the city library. It's special
work is a remarkable lecture course
Of state-wid reputation"