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

natural resources Of contour and seen
| cry, Of bluff, hill, ravine. lake. river,
pond, island, and other features that
have hitherto been neglected, ignored
or abused, should be developed to the
uttermost In consistent manner. A
slough or swamp may be lost space
and source of danger in city, but
with comparatively little expense and
intelligent treatment 1t may be made
| equal to the well-known and admired
/ lakes that people go out Of their way
to see and enjoy. The city which
would redeem itself must begin with
! a realization of its Typographical adj
| vantages. It may have derived its
name from a distinctive feature OF
| interest and beauty in the river 1t Is
situated upon and until this civic I'M
provement idea takes root. its chief
asset is worse than ignored. To have
! a pleasing river with surface broken
! into never firing interest by falls or
rapids, an island set in its midst,
furnishing fit site for imposing edi
! fees, and a breathing spot at hand in
the very heart of business for those
| who cannot go to the suburban parks,
but to do absolutely nothing with this
gift OF nature except to fringe the
sive and unsanitary clubhouse, stable
yard, garbage heap, or even the rear
elevation of business buildings. and to
convert the island into a dumping
ground without even enliven-
i ing the scene with festive goat to
i feed on the tin cans, or to allow 1t to
be covered with common mercantile
But this is not an uncommon condi-
ton. Water fronts should be reserved
/ for the public, not appropriated by
the individual Improve them into
/ drives, promenades and parks, which
4 can be done more easily than into
good commercial sites. and they will
ever be a source OF satisfaction. The
j delightfulness of city is an element
i of first importance to it's prosperity.
i The city that devotes attention ana
money to improving such natural re
sources, or, if without them, provides,
i If possible, upon elevated ground, sit
uated in the axis Of a system of radiat-
ing streets, suitable sites and space
for important buildings, maintains am
pie public comfort stations, bath
houses and play grounds appropriately
equipped, will find it paying invest
ment.
Discussing play grounds and out
door gymnasia, President Roosevelt
says In such republic as ours the
one thing we can not afford to neglect
is the problem of turning out decent
J citizens. The future of the nation de-
ponds upon the citizenship Of the gem
erations to come, the children of to-
day are those who tomorrow will
shape the destiny of our land and we
can not afford to neglect them"
Perhaps the most perplexing fea-
ture in the present day city is the
! generally inadequate terminal facili-
: ties and troublesome passage through
OF the railways. They are vital ele-
ments and demand business-like treat
l ment, but are as a rule compelled to
! fight as best they may for some
I space. First impressions OF town
y are lasting, hence 1t is highly impor.
tant that travellers do not get them
q by snapshot glimpses from coach win.
! dows upon unkempt back yards Of
: squalid dwellings and common bust
2 ness quarters that usually fringe the
Y right of way, or of a station illy
! placed. surrounded and tended. It Is
y possible to give a respectable and
Q tidy aspect to the whole route through
the city, to screen with shrubs ant
n vines, that which cannot always bs
/ eliminated, to furnish refreshing
{ views Of inviting streets. with deco
O rative spots here and there, and q
!, beautiful park at the nominal gate
l. way-the station. Many railroads are
$ maintaining beautiful station grounds
and buildings. and are doing their par
:. in this line
, In the inauguration Of civic improve
r ment, after adopting far-sighted
I comprehensive plan, the execution car
be taken up little at a time, as cir
cumstances permit, but whatever Il
Il done, gradually and by degrees. shoult
! be the systematic working toward ;
s definite and complete entity. PROBES
& sor Zeublin says: Success is achiev
g ed in executing details, but complet,
l. ideal is necessary. The frs
2 thing to be done, Is the next thint
1 which can be done. 80 A knowl
d
!,