Evening star., 1914-10-06
American Civic Association
Votes to Convene in Ma
tionaI Capital.
THIS SESSION TO MARK
ITS TENTH ANNIVERSARY
Will Be Held at New Willard Hotel
December 9 to Elaborate Pro-
gram Of Papers and Discussions.

Washington has been selected for the
annual convention Of the American Civ
fc Association following a referendum
vote by its members and action based
on that referendum by the executive
board of the association. The invita-
tion to meet here was extended by the
Chamber of Commerce. The convention
will be held at the New Willard Hotel
Wednesday. Thursday and Friday, De-
cember 2, and 4. This will be the
third convention Of the American Civic
Association held in Washington since
the location of it's general headquar-
ters in this city, January 1. 1910. the
previous conventions having been held
in December of 1910 and 1911. The
canvass of the members as to their
choice for the convention developed the
many cordial expressions in favor of
Washington as the quite regular place
of meeting, due to it's convenient ac-
cess, to the attractions here of a ma
tional character and the facilities for
holding successful business and social
conventions.
The convention this year will be the
tenth anniversary of the American
Civic Association, which was formed in
June. 1904, at st. Louis, by the con-
solidation of two then existing organ
izations known as the American Park
and Outdoor Art Association and the
American League for Civic Improve
ment- During those ten years the
American Civic Association welded .
wide influence in arousing and assist
Ing cities and towns in all parts of the
United States to very important work
for their physical improvement.
Many Cities Quickened.
Hundreds of cities have been nuicl<-
ened to inaugurate movements for the
improvement of homes and neighbor-
hoods, for the establishment and main
tenance of parks and boulevards, for
wise planting and care of trees and
for the adoption of comprehensive city
plans.
While its activities have been direct
ed very largely toward the improve
ment OF outdoor art and living condi-
t1ons In and about the towns and cities.
1t has also conducted most important
work for the preservation of great
natural scenery. Its notable effort
along these lines has been for the pres
ervation of the beauties of Niagara
Falls, which was undertaken following
1905. Al
Another undertaking of the associa-
t1on distinctly national in character
has been movement for the creation
OF q federal bureau Of national parks
or In terms of the bill which proposes
this bureau. "a national parks serv-
Ice" making possible a larger admin
fstration of the great national areas
set aside for the recreation of all the
people.
Particular importance will be given
to the session devoted to national
parks at the forthcoming convention,
because Of the greatly increased travel
to all American points of interest that
is sure to follow the unsettled state of
affairs in European countries.
Session Devoted to Federal City.
Another session that will be of par
ticular interest to the people of WASH
ington will be that devoted to 1.-The
sion will be given over entirely to the
capital city. It has always been the
policy Of the American Civic Associa-
tion at all of its conventions to have
at least one principal address relating
to Washington and setting forth its
needs as a capital city, and the ambi-
tions of those most intimately associa-
ed with it for it's development along
lines that will eventually make it
what it should be. the most beautiful
capital city in the world.
other subjects that will be discussed
during the three-day convention will
relate to city and county parks, to
comprehensive city and town planning.
to the planting and care of trees, to
the abatement of such nuisances as the
billboard, unnecessary smoke and un-
necessary noises and to neighborhood
Improvement and kindred subjects.
MONDAY luncheons will be feature
of each day, when certain subjects will
be presented for informal considera-
ton.
Officers Of Association.
The American Civic Association has a
membership of several thousand indi-
viduals, and some seven hundred
afdliated societies, each Of them num-
bering from several hundred to sew
eral thousand members, and 1t Is
therefore brought into direct communi-
cation with many thousands of men and
women more or less directly engaged
in civic work.
In addition to individuals who will
attend the convention, there will be dele
gates from scores of civic leagues,
womens clubs, commercial organiza-
tions and delegates especially appoint