The Mankato free press., 1912-05-03
Aim of American Civic Ass0cia-
ton; Results Obtained.
WHAT CITIES ARE DOING NOW
kirksviIIe, Mo-, Has Been Very Sue
cessful in Arousing Public Spir.
it; Its Program.


While politicians and campaign man.
ayers are doing their utmost to con-
vince the people as to the merits of
their respective candidates for the
presidency, the American Civic as
sOciatiOn, with headquarters in Wash
ington is devOting itself to the prob
lem near at hand. Just now it is
directing the crusade for town and
| city clean-ups. Presidential candi.
dates may come and go, but street,
an alley, q park, river bank-these
are always with US. With the avow-
ed object of making city and town
more attractive and liyable, the
American Civic association is doing
a great work. 1t /. co-operates with
| local associations the country over
in the effort to beautify surroundings.
How well it is succeeding in this
task is evident from the encouraging
reports received at the headquarters
office as to the remarkable civic
progress in thousands of cities and
1 towns. ..s r.. :. :. j.. :
!
While the association approves and
recommends the cleanup occasions,
it does SO with the expectation that it
may serve as beginning in the
habit of civic cleanliness. r. p.
Watrous, secretary of the American
Civic association. Washington, d. c.,
has given mo the. following inter.
view on the cleanup crusade and the
general work of this organization:
This is cleanup season and the
! American Civic association, from it's
| offices in Washington, is encouraging
a very general movement for cleanup
days and weeks in various parts of
| the country to be conducted by
! civic associations However, it
| should be borne in mind that the
association approves and recommends
these cleanup occasions only as an
enthusiastic beginning of habit of
cleanliness for cities. 1t cautions
those engaged in cleanup activities
against allowing the. enthusiasm to
VI
or week"
Are there any communities pre-
pairing for cleanup activities this
spring." was. asked Mr.. Watrous.
"Yes, more cities and towns have
this year inaugurated stated periods
| for thorough cleanup activities than
ever before. To begin with the cap
| ital of the nation, known as the
cleanest and most beautiful city in
America, nevertheless feels the ne.
cessity for a spring celan-up, and,
with this end in view, an entire
week from April Is to the 20 was
designated, to be devoted to the
cleaning out of the litter OF back
yards, old buildings and the rears
of business and office structures. !"
4 "Has your association any liter.
ature or helps for cleanup days?"
1--WE are now preparing a brief
bulletin, which will soon be ready
| for distribution, containing advice as
to the best methods of procedure in
the cleanup movement. For one
thing the association recommends
that a cleanup week be directed by
local civic association OF the COM
munity, or commercial organization,
and that all the interests of the COM
munity be joined in cooperation.
| 1t suggests that form OF procla-
nation be issued by the mayor de-
/ claring day or week for q cleanup,
and coupled with the proclamation a
HEARTY endorsement by the local
health officer. In cities where the
municipal facilities for carting away
debris are insufficient or lacking, 1t
/ is urged that wagons be secured from
businessmen. The association is con-
! tinually distributing literature. which
is helpful in the various civic i'm
prOvement activities. One OF our
most recent publications tells how
Denver solved the street waste prob.
/ lem.
I "Do you recall. any one city or
town where a plan. has been laid out
lined for spring. cleanup and can
you tell me something of that plan?'
"Yes. Here Is letter ! have