The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-11-27
W0MAN'S WORK IN
Town. PLANNING
What a village Improvement
Has Accom- |ishod.
A REAL PUBLIC Benefit.

of Canton, Pa, 10 Worry Active In
Civic Affairs, and the Town 10
Much More Attractive and Sanitary
Place Because Of These Efforts.
A foremost organization in the Brad
ford County (Pa.) Civic league, one
whose founding antedates that Of the
league, is the Village Improvement as
ISOLATION Of Canton, Pa. The Brad
ford County Civic league is an asso-
citation Of women's clubs devoted to
town Improvement in it's various de-
velopments.
The Village Improvement assOci
ton Of Canton was established in 1
and entered the league in 1913.
The V. l. A. meets each month in
the year, considering as basis for &C.
ton topics in their timeliness. The
first meeting Of this year was devoted
to a review Of the borough ordinances.
In February the anti-fly campaign be-
gan, and garbage disposal was studied.
In March protection Of the towns birds
was the subject. The water supply
and ACCESSIBILITY of establishing a play
ground followed in turn. With the sea-
son Of natural growth at its height, the
August meeting was given to discuss
ing "What Is the Next Step In Beau
tifying Our Town. Another question,
| "What Can the V. I. A. Do to Aid the
Cause Of Temperance at Home?' is to
be taken up in October.
The membership of the association
now exceeds 100. From the first it has
been active in civic affairs, and it's
home town is a much more attractive
and sanitary place because Of the thor
ough and systematic efforts of the club
to make and keep it so. Its activities
have included the annual cleanup
week in May-keeping weeds cut and
papers and rubbish picked up Anti
splitting signs are kept posted, defec-
tive sidewalks are reported to coun-
| ellis, and public nuisances are referred
to the health boards attention. Prizes
have been given for identifying front
yards and for the greatest sanitary i'm
provements in back yards.
TO the public library $500 was do
mated, and in the interest of good roads
$500 was given into the borough treas
ury. Contributions have been made to
the volunteer fire department, and the
Canton band has received donations to
it's fund for uniforms. An attractive
| band stand has been built near the
public square, and in the basement OF
this pavilion is room in which food
sales and other local enterprises for
fund raising are arranged.
Metal street signs have been placed
at all intersections of streets, and a
modern street sprinkler has been
bought and successfully operated for
two seasons. ALI money for this en-
terprise was collected and paid out by
the association.
achievements Of their club the thor
ough, daily flushing during the sum-
mer season Of the water plugs in the
town and the keeping constantly be-
fore the board of health the necessity
for an adequate filtration plant for the
water system. Success has met this
effort in an order from Harrisburg
calling for such a filtration plant as
soon as it can be constructed.
The association was one of the first
organizations in the town to contribute
to the Belgians, and much charitable
and humane work is continually min
gled in its civic duties.
The most ambitious work yet at
tempted is the purchase of land to be
used as an athletic park and play
ground. Two acres of land near. the
center of town have been secured.
The price, $2,95O, is reduction Of
5000 from the real value, concession
made possible by the interest of an &C.
tive members husband in encourage
ment of the associations valiant I'M
dertaking. The improvement and
equipment will add to the cost, and the
association members prophesy that the
town will be busy place until these
funds are in hand. Immediately after
the purchase of the play park site its
use was donated during Chautauqua
week for the site of the entertainment
tent. This act was natural sequence
and in line with the asociation's rec
ords for good work, for it was largely
through this Endorsement that Chau-
tauqua week was made possible to the
vicinity.
The local board of health and Dor
ough council have learned to respect
and depend upon the women of the
club for active work and constant Wig
lance in making their town a better
place in which to live.