The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-05-06
Lafayette Makes Record for Civic
Improvement = Campaign Of a
Single Season Produces
Remarkable Results
SUCCESS WON BY
ORGANIZATION
Interest Of Citizens Aroused and
SIS Entries Registered Prof.
Woodbury. Describes
Methods Used

Lafayette, Ind. city somewhat
larger than Chicasha, has made re-
marable record for city Identification.
How the campaign which transformed
the appearance of the city in single
season was organized and conducted,
is told by Prof c. 0. Woodbury., head
of the department of horticulture at
Purdue university, in the course of an
article part Of which follows:
Public Meeting Held.
The yard improvement work for 1914
was definitely started at an open
meeting of the Civic Identification
committee. This meeting was given
publicity by the papers, and gen
eral invitation to attend was extended
through the press to all citizens. Some
generals plans for yard Improvement
work were discussed informally at this
time, and a subcommittee OF the Civic
Beautification committee was appoint
ed with the specific responsibility of
organizing and carrying out yard
improvement movement. The work
was so planned and carried out by this
subcommittee that S25 entries were
registered, or about one yard in six
in city OF 5000 homes.
When the subcommittee was ap-
pointed the chairman was named.
and to him was assigned the work of
organizing the committee and plan
ming the work Only those were ask
ed to serve who we're known to be
thoroughly interested and who were
in a position to give time and thought
TO the work on hand. Meetings we're
held weekly on Monday evenings.
They were brief or protracted, as the
business In hand demanded, but they
were held regularly and attended 10y
ally, which was largely responsible
for the effectiveness Of the prelimin-
airy work
City Is Canvassed.
The yard improvement committee
at this time consisted Of but four per-
sons: the chairman, two ladies promi-
nent in club. social and philanthropic
activities OF the city, and local -lor-
list OF sound Judgment long expert
ence and public spirited point of view.
This committee Of four Immediately
began survey Of similar work done
in other parts OF the country. From
the inception of the movement the
local papers we're Systematically fur
nished with short articles emphasiz-
ing the community advantages to be
derived from civic Identification, and
through the generous cooperation of
the press a general and widespread
interest in the movement was rapidly
developed.
Personal Interest Aroused.
The committee had not proceeded
far in the plans before it was evident
that some method must be devised for
reaching directly and personally all
the citizens OF the city who might be
interested in the yard Improvement
work. To this end the city was di-
vided into five districts of approx
mately equal population, and leader
was selected to have direct supervis-
ion of the work in each district, The
Women's Council and the various
clubs we're interested through these
district leaders, and thus the general
interest continually being heightened
by the press publicity was further
strengthened. Rules for the contest
were carefully formulated, list ol
plants was selected for special adapt
ability in producing prompt results In
yard improvement, descriptions OF Tho
plants we're worked out, directions were
prepared for yard planting and ar
rangement, and all this material, AZ
well as a score card for judging yards
and registration blank for the con
test. was published in bulletin form
by the chamber Of commerce
Meanwhile each district lender wa
acting as chairman Of committee Q
his own selection and completing plan