Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-03-31
A LARGE AUDIENCE
HEARS LECTURE ON
CIVIC IMPROVEMENT

Prof. Aubrey Tealdi of the NJ A. c.
who lectured here Tuesday evening,
March % under the auspices of the
Ladies Literary Exchange club on
Civic Improvement" was heard by "A
good audience. His discussion Great
ed new thoughts in the minds OF his
listeners relative 10 civic affairs,
Prof Tealdi outlined his subject ny
saying that civic Improvement en-
bodied primarily three separate
branches OF culture in a community
economical sociological and aes-
thetic He would lay the weight on
the economical phase especially.
First of all thing must be reason
able" said he from the standpoint
of the taxpayer. We a not need a
thirty-foot roadbed or street where a
twelve foot one will do. Besides the
first cost being lessened the upkeep az
narrow road bed Is much less, A
road is useful but il Is not beautiful.
Lawns are much more beautiful than
bare roads.
"One OF the plans adopted in many
cities. laid out according To modern
ideas. il to make the roadbed twelve
or twenty feet wide and then turn
the rest of the street into the lawns of
the abutting. property. The land is not
decided To the owners of the property,
but they will usually keep the lawns in
good shape clear out TO the street.
Another feature OF civic life that
should be considered is the schools.
In my opinion many mistakes are
made in the school rooms by placing
a young girl just out OF high school in
charge OF class OF boys that a strong
man could scarcely manage. There are
many other unreasonable things in our
school system, which We hope To cor
rect in time, simply as matter of
civic improvement. The limited time
that | have Will not afford an oppor-
tunity TO discuss them.
The idea that civic improvement
means city beautiful and nothing else
is entirely wrong. If we improve con-
ditions along economic lines and for
the benefit Of society We will have
city beautiful, but the idea OF beauti-
flying the city even at any expense will
never meet with favor.
The place to begin civic improve
ment IS in the back yards. Inemost
cities the back yards are the worst
looking places imaginable. Ashes. tin
cans and every conceivable kind Of
rubbish may be found there. Spoiled
fruits and vegetables contaminate the
whole atmosphere.
Another thing of importance to any
city is transit facilities Not only theN
railroads but the roads as well. The
people in a town should be the most
enthusiastic boosters for good roads,
because the towns that are belted by
good roads are always well known. No
town ever grew that was set away in
secluded corner OF a township or
county arid reached by poor roads. The
town that people go to is the town
that will be talked about"
Mr.. Tealdi drove through the streets
Of the city Wednesday morning and
expressed his surprise at the fine con
ditions. He said that .Belding was
one of the most beautiful cities he had
seen. The streets were all neat and
clean and with but few exceptions
contained no ashes, cans rubbish. lie
complimented the city on the fine con-
dition Of the vacant lots as well as
the splendid condition OF the water
front
Prof Tealdrs lecture should have
been heard by every citizen Of Beld-
ing