Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-09-10
PROMINENT MEN ON
THE CITY'S PROGRESS
CONTINUED From First Page !
munity will be further shown by 9TH
er communications from day to day

City Planning Commission. writes as
foliows: ITO my mind the one great
thing about our celebration is that
1t emphasizes the awakening of civic
pride-something called public spirit.
our lovely parks, excellent paved
streets. pure water. and improved
sanitary conditions are but the ma
terial evidences of that awakened
spirit and furthermore is, believe,
put the first epoch in Harrishurgs s
forward movement Much has been
accomplished, yet much remains to
De done. In the short time / have
oeen connected with the City Planning
commission, l have come to realize
TO some small degree the magnitude,
.ne possibilities. as well as the abso-
iute necessity of city planning.
But planning commissions may
come and planning commissions may
go-the fact remains that any body
Oh men may direct or suggest a pub
lie sentiment, but 1t is a mighty task
to create it.
If this celebration should encour-
age or create increased civic pride,
which it certainly should do, then are
we fortunate indeed, for II will have
served the double purpose of con-
graduation for things done and in
spirauon for better things to come"
Ex-senator John f. Fox: - THE
improvements made by the city in
the past fifteen years have been wise
and substantial, at fair and reason
able cost and without hardship to
the taxpayers. The citizens who were
not active in this development owe
a debt to those who were instru-
mental In bringing it about and also
to those who in their official posi-
tions actually accomplished it.
"One of the reasons for rejoicing
at this time Is that we have not been
besmirched by the hand of graft ap-
pearing in these undertakings, but
every one connected so far as is gen.
orally known. has performed his duty
honestly and well. We must not be
satisfied with what we have already
done. We must go on and when inn
provement may be necessary or i'm
portant it should be made. We should
all desire and be willing to make our
city a more beautiful and delightful
place in which to live, always, how
ever, guarding it against useless and
extravagant Improvements.
I'VE are honored by the State as
being it's capital and the former has
done much for us, will do much for
us in the future and reciprocally we
should do our share, so as to reflect
honor upon our great Common
wealth."
William Jennings, one of the leaders
OF the movement, paid the follow
ing tribute to the citizens of Harris
burg by whom the greater part of
the work was forwarded: Harrisburg
has reason to be proud of her accom-
plishments of the past fourteen years
the results which steady boosting
many times over repaid the labor
expended. No other city can rival
the beauty Of Harrisburg in its new
clothes and with its unsurpassed en-
virons. The period covered blythe
several Improvement loans is one OF
pride to every loyal citizen. whose
'progressiveness has made such results
possible.
Charles A. Kunkcl, president of the
Mechanics Trust Company: I'VE are
all looking forward to the big cele-
bration with a great deal OF interest
It will signalize the first great step
in the progress of the city and will be
a foundation upon which future steps
will be built. All Harrisburg should
rejoice and make glad at this time.
George A. Gorgas, former president
of the Board of Trade: The effect
of these improvements on the city can
scarcely be estimated. No community
can accomplish much without the CO.
operation, heart and soul, of the in
dividual citizens. AS a rule the boost
ers are in the majority in Harrisburg
and it is for that reason that we
have been able to make such great
progress, because the booster class
have overwhelmed the pullback ele-
ment." -..
Vim. H. Bennethum, manager OF
Dives Pomeroy & Stewart:-"It is
my belief that If Harrisburg did not
enjoy to-day the work that was sc
admirably begun back in 1901, We
would not be able to attract the hun.
dreds of visitors that we see from
week to week. Moreover, l do not
believe it would have been possible
for the retail field to expand as Il
has done If we had not been given the
impetus to expand that came with
the awakening of the city itself.
However, we ought not to be salts
fed with the system of Identification
that has meant so much toward plac-
ing Harrisburg in the list of cities
worth visiting. for why should Har-
risburg not be numbered among the
beautiful cities of America. 1t has
Capitol that has no equal in gran
deur and it's River Front cannot be
surpassed anywhere.
"Today we owe it to an awakened
city to keep on our toes in the work
of municipal Improvements. We neeo
accommodations for a greater num-
ber of transient visitors, and besides
we need a Municipal building for oui
future growth.
BENJAMIN NJ. Mead, former presiden
of the Board of Trade: When we to-
day review the marvellous result;
effected by the progressive forces put
into active operation less than a dec
ade and a half ago in Harris
burg, the conclusion Is inevitable tha'
there has been an actual revolution; 6
revolution that has changed rura
town into a modern city.
"It was not an easy accomplishment
to overcome the methods of conserv'
atism and to change the controlling
habits of more than half century sc
as to awaken the civic conscience and
sense of responsibility to the common