Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1916-07-13

said, "No people, in town, village
or city, can be really prosperous or
happy without being brought to-
gether frequently to share common
amusements and exchanges of opin-
ion" This is the testimony of keen
observer, ripe in years and expert
ence.
Parks
When we speak of parks, many
think we are passing from the econ
omic into the aesthetic field. But
they lose sight of the matter-of f-fact,
dollar and cent value of parks. Note
well the fact that railroads and large
industrial concerns find that it pays
to keep their properties attractive.
The money spent by railroads in
identifying their right-of-way at sta
tions is not due to public spirit-it
is good business from their stand
point.
Such companies as the United
States Steel company, at Gary; the
/ National Cash Register company, at
Dayton, and the Krupp gun works,
at Essen, Germany, in spending large
sums make attractive their grounds
and those of their workmen, are actu-
ated by good business judgment. They
make money on this specific invest
ment. The Krupp company spaks of
their policy as enlightened selfish
ness, serving to attract good work
men and to foster loyalty"
So cities should realize that money
spent in parks is fine community
investment. The enhancing of the
value of surroundings lands is only
a small item. Parks have potent
Influence in The develonrIe1t Vt go7d
taste, reflected in tidy, attractive
homes ald in the br0scauel life OF
the people. Boston has lust entered
upon comprahe nsive su u1urban Plan
the initial expenditure being s10,-
100000. Surely ci.y WITH over
two centuries experience knows
wherein a conn unity Can economi-
cally eXpend puolic fun.s.
Trees
Again when we speaG oi tree plant
ing, the average citizen thinks of the
Getty beautiful movement and moth
ing else. But could one accurately
estimate the monetary value of trees
to cities, he would be astounded. A
North Dakota man whom was show
ing about the valley a short time
ago, remarked of a fine walnut tree
at Eagle Point, 81 could sell that tree
of $1,000 a hundred times over in
my country back home" And he did
not overstate the fact. Some of
the most attractive cities of the world
owe that fact to their trees. Wash
ington, our most beautiful city, has
about $4,000 trees which are under
the care of a special commission.
The Laurel Hill association, which
was the first town improment So
ciety in this country. set out as their
first years work, 400 shade trees.
This was in 1853.
The value of trees from health
standpoint is not popularly recog-
nized. The foliage inhales carbolic
acid and exhales oxygen. Diseases
incidental to heat are far less pre-
valent on streets we'll shaded. The
trees furnish shade against the di-
rect heat, and there is vastly less
reflected heat. Trees absorb gases
from decaying animal and vegetable
matter.
The State Medical Society of New
York adopted resolutions urging the
planting of trees as the means of pre-
serving public health. The bill in
troduced into the New York state leg
islature protecting trees was drawn
by a member of the State Board of
Health solely as sanitary meas
ure.
Cities should look well to their
trees And what an asset Ashland
has in this regard.
Fairgrounds
The subject of Fairgrounds has
recently come to the fore with a
rush-the result, largely, of the ac-
tivity of woman organizations, which
can be depended upon to aspire for
anything promoting the welfare of
children.
Work is not, and was not meant
to be the whole of life. The leisure
problem is equal in Importance to
the labor problem and more diff
cult to solve. Let the city planners
realize the true monetary value of
ample playground room for children
and it will come. The movement is
spreading rapidly. New York has
authorized the expenditure of ST.
900, 900 yearly for this purpose. AS
much as 100000 has been spent
in adorning and equipping single
ground. If 6ese cities find this a