The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-04-26

The following Is but mere incom-
plete outline; table of contents, and
statement OF cardinal principles that
need reiteration Each separate para
graph, as well as many sentences ana
even single words. might easily be ex-
panded into chapters or volumes. In
| fact, this has already been done In
many cases. Little originality Ia claim
ed for 1t, save in the grouping.
Credit is due to many authorities and
sources, too numerous to mention
here, without interfering with neces-
sary brevity or drawing a picture too
broad for easy inspection.
| The bearing of the subject upon and
the connection with architecture Is so
vital and intimate that each architect
should improve every opportunity and
means for its promotion. There has
been but little accomplished in any
of its phases in the past without the
Initiative or sympathetic assistance Of
architects.
Mr.. Charles Milford Robinson, in
Improvements in Town and Cities,
says. Plainly architects have an ex-
cellent opportunity. And this involves
exceptional obligations. They have the
advantage of being able to devote pro-
| fessional knowledge to the interests
of municipal art, for without departing
from their natural field, they can offer
to man engaged in another vocation,
new and tangible civic ideal. :
1t is, therefore, eminently fitting
that architects should continue to be
leaders with the motto, For a Better
and More Beautiful Home City, Iowa,
America
Man is depicted In the Bible as
beginning in the beautiful Garden of
Eden and progressing to the glorified
| Celestial City Then why not with
beautiful environments all the way
between?
| The Creator has planted in man a
love for the beautiful, the qualification
of which refines and ennobles. and has
provided in the natural world, every
element either ready at hand or
capable of development to satisfy that
love. The Joy of living should be cul-
tivated by making beauty part of
| the every day life of all citizens. NO
one thing contributes to this more
than beautiful buildings, beautifully
placed and surrounded. A thing is
beautiful when rightly done and ugly
when wrongly done, just as dirt is
matter in the wrong place and crime
energy misdirected The organization
and development of a city on an essen
| TALLY aesthetical plan, while primarily
Il unitarian, is at the same time a
practical asset; for beauty is OF great
and absolute commercial value, and
attracts a desirable class OF visitors
and residents. Civic art and improve
ment enhances real estate values, as
has been proven over and over again
far beyond the cost of production and
maintainence The proper regard fol-
the utilitarian is the best guarantee OIL
the beautiful. It is missionary, cul
tivating appreciation and habits o
observation that incita craving te
enjoy the resultant aim. 1t is munic
ipal education, declaration o
democracy, In the equal division O
life's beautiful things.
A city is living organism, made
up of skeleton, members, organs ant
systems, each complete in itself, We
necessarily joined TO the others ant
subordinate to the while, like an artic
ulate animal in which adaptabilit.
to perform its functions reveals
reasoning, creative mind. It IS rarel.
the case that cities have their incer
ton upon any definite, far-reachinj
idea as to what they will finally be
come; for no one can really forecas
. the process or extent of evolution tina
time and circumstances will bring t
pass. One city starts with CLOWN
prospects, under conditions that seer
to warrant great anticipations. only t
. end In desertion, dilapidation an
: oblivion; while another in an unpron
Using location, with no hint of eve
, becoming other than cross-road
. village, grows into a mighty metropolis
f i tNSh II tbc IOi lhpi ih
a good plan, it went for naught, Will
! in the latter it probably was a matte
r of "go as you please" following c
/, the doctrine OF, every one for himsel
and the devil take the findmost.
Il AS John Burroughs says, 'Natur
a. salves our worst wounds; she heal
and restores. . It may be assumed tina
Topsy, who "just growed," was vigol
Z. Gus, symmetrical and splendid |
g physical development, while elite
" have a perverse tendency to gro
wrong; to defeat and destroy tn
.e handiwork of nature. Even when
ic fairly good start has been made, sooi
e err or later the aggressive selfishnes
lie of men causes this homegrown
y tendency to crop out. Those intereste
= in the plating of additions, too ofte
give no thought to the ultimate rel
lions and effects upon future extel
is sions. The most square feet to sci
Id for the greatest number OF houses