The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1913-06-05
CIVIC IMPROVEMENT
Is Urged by the Civic Department of
WOmens Clubs

Following letter written by Mrs.
W. E. Brewster, published at the re-
quest of a member of the Town I'M
provement Society.
Your committee, in issuing its an
nual letter, desires to urge the women
of Maine to assume greater activity
on all civic questions. The COM
mttee asks you to discuss this letter
at an early meeting of your club, to
arrange at least for one civic after
noon on your club calendar. We
recommend that you first plan in each
community for a civic revival and in
connection with this suggest that you
plan a civic Sunday.
We want to eradicate the housefy
and mosquito. We want a municipal
house cleaning day, thorough one,
not only our back yards but our
streets. We want Arbor day to be
observed in every place in the State
urban and rural-not only by sing
ing of school children but by actual
work-the planting of trees. Urge
the enforcement of city and town
ordinances pertaining to clean streets
and alleys and eXpectoration. Let
us see what can be done to prevent
the refuse from stores being swept
infA hn cfr Of frFF 70 Il
away with the unsightly bill boards.
The safe and sane celebration of
ouR National independence day is
also matter of great import to wo-
men. Wherever conditions demand
it, endeavor to have school buildings
for social centers.
There is nothing that would create
such an interest in Maine, not only
by her own people, but those of other
states as good roads. Aside FROM
their commercial value they would
open up thousands of Natures beauty
spots that today are inaccessible. Let
us take hold of this question as club
women and do our best to interest the
citizens who have pride in our State
and do not wish to see her left be-
hind her sister states in this march of
civic improvement. The General fed
Grafton suggests the introduction into
the public schools of training in citi
zenship and morals. This may be
done either in connection with the
other studies, or in a separate option
al fifteen minute daily course, taught
by the right teacher. Also the offer
ing of prizes to school children for
essays on subjects relating to citizen
ship.
Through the Children's Help de-
partment public interest should be
aroused which would lead to every ba-
bys birthday being publicly recorded.
The Village improvement department
fayors the idea of giving prizes to
children if they will keep the paper
and clutter picked up. We wish it
were possible for you to create
civic committee for this present year.
This committee could be given five
minutes upon every program. In that
time let the committee point out one
lack of town or neighborhood, Z
haps some unsightly~ spot, some I'M
sanitary condition, some unclean
market or grocery, some neglect OF
town ordinance. Just one sugges-
iton at each club meeting and a re-
quest for volunteers to work until
that particular evil is remedied. An
easy way to approach to success in
this work is to find out what has
been successfully done in various
places along certain lines, and as
semble them as fast as practical,
choosing the ones needed the most for
first effort Let your enthusiasm for
civic betterment know no bounds.
Civic work is in its infancy. 1t is
suggested to civic workers that your
successful efforts be chronicled by the
press. Civic workers are accomplish
ing great and good things, but the
general public does not know about 1T
for the half has not been told. Will
the women of this Maine Federation
unite their forces that we may make
"a long pull strong pull and pull
altogether for all those things that
make for civic Righteousness.
Mrs. William f. Brewster,
Chairman.