The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-13

The name of Mr.. Charles w. Leavitt,
,Jr.. is one to reckon with in the world
where men are accomplishing big things.
Throughout this country and abroad,
Mr.. Leavitt bears the distinguished repu-
tation of being one of the most eompe-
tent landscape engineers of the day, and
his handiworl1 is seen in every section of
the United States where skill and In
genuity have been employed in the bean-
tification of city and town, country
place and villa.
Recently Mr.. Leavtt has been in Bir-
ningham quite bit, engaged in the
development of the beautiful property
known as eMilner Heights" and during
his visit here the past week l had the
pleasure of talking with him about the
"City Beautiful plan, in which every
good citizen of Birmingham is interested.
Mr.. Leavitt is man of charming per-
sonality; his unusual height and splen-
did physique making him a conspicuous
figure in any gathering.
His hair, slightly tinged with gray
surmounts a splendid brow, and his
quick discerning eye, his quiet thought
full manner and his broad knowledge cf
human nature form a rare personality
which is distinctive and engaging. Mr..
Leavitt is very optimistic concerning the
possibilities Birmingham possesses in the
line of Improvement from a civic point of
view.
Not only it is possible. in his opinion,
for Birmingham to be vastly improved,
but from sanitary and healthful stand
point he thinks it capable of great re-
suits. ..s
The beautiful "Statuary Garden for
Richard Garfield at Saratoga is monu-
ment to Mr. Leavitts skill, and the hand
some landscaping for the country estate
of the great tobacco king, ]. B. Duke,
at Somerville, N. j., is another, while
the Pittsburg baseball grandstand and
park, which are considered the most per-
feet in the world, and the plans for the
Girls Industrial school at Montevallo.
are only few specimens of Mr.
Leavitt,s magnificent works.
In connection with the work of beau
tifying a city Mr.. Leavitt told me
among other things that the greatest
sanitation, and generally healthful con-
ditions was not only what 1t means to
the present generation, but the effect
1t will have upon those who are to
come after--the men and women into
whose hands the future of our coun-
try is entrusted.
He recalled very interesting story
which Governor Sulzer told few days
ago when Mr.. Leavitt was with a COM
mittee which was comforting with the
governor on some important matter.
The governor. it seems, recalled in
reference to the subject which was un-
der discussion that on one occasion he
was sitting at a table next to fa-
nous French ambassador. when Gov
ernor Sulzer happened to ask him what
he considered the greatest thing in the
world. 49,
without a moments hesitation the
ambassador said:
ssThe Tai Mahal," and in turn asked
the governor what he thought was the
greatest thing In the world.
The governor promptly replied:
/ "A baby"
Greater than Tai Mshal?" asked the
ambassador.
Certainly" said the governor quiet
ny. Didn't baby build the Tai Ma
halY'
That is the situation In a nutshell
concerning civic improyement--the fu-
ture generation--and how 1t will be
benefited. The back -to-the-fa
T.
Wits slogan and he is not a theorist