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

IL ueeuS no real ulSCuSSlOH.
Public Health
The new city makes a special point
of providing for public health. 1t
recognizes that, as Lord Beacons-
field said forty. years ago, "The pub
lie health is the foundation on which
rests the happiness of the people and
the power of country"
Every year more than a million
and a half people die in the United
States; more than 4,200,000 are con-
stantly sick. The cost in money and
misery to the families of this vast
number of people is an economical
waste insofar as it is preventable
which is much larger part of the
total than most people realize. So
the city should carefully take ac-
count of such problems as, source of
water supply. removal of waste, pro-
lection of milk and other foods, con-
troll of contagious and infectious dis
eases, street sprinkling and cleaning,
etc.
Schools
The up-to-date city provides good
school system. for the intellectual
and moral condition of a community
is reflected in its schools. The I'm
portance of good schools cannot be
over estimated. They are the means
whereby our institutions and the ac-
complishments from human exper-
fences and strivings are passed on
from generation to generation. Thev
are the houses of science, literature,
and the arts. The interests of the
state demand that the new genera
tions shall be endowed with power
TO serve, power for original work
The schools are our means to that
end.
The schools also offer means for
a moral direction which many of the
children would not otherwise re-
ceive.
The school problem includes: prop
er buildings properly located; ample
equipment; well considered and up
to-date courses of study; healthful
and pleasant environment for the stu
dents; competent we'll trained teach
ers.
Schools should have assembly
rooms. 1t is beginning to be recog-
nized that communities have a large
investment in its school buildings
and their use as community centers
where public meetings, discussions,
lectures, ETC., may be held is becom-
ing more and more the accepted thing
with great benefit.
School libraries for loan purposes
are being started and the idea is so
valuable 1t will certainly spread.
Music
AS a nation we have neglected
music and its Importance in the lives
of the people. The widespread use
of the phonograph brings to every
community the means of a general
accessibility 10 the best of music. The
school-community center offers the
place.
Community Morals
The student of his city must not
overlook those institutions and in
fluences which bear on the moral
welfare of the community. Good
churches and a disposition in them
to reach out to all the people instead
of serving themselves alone, are the
first consideration. But there is
more. II has become a recognized
tenet of civics that the city which
permits saloons, gambling houses,
low theatres and congregating places
that are vicious in tone, is bound to
pay the price. The old idea that the
wide open town brought trade which
was so prevalent Is or 20 years ago,
has had its day and has been shelved
by the simple fact that experience has
proven it an economic error, not to
mention the toll in human wreckage
its eXacts.
Along with this consideration goes
that of community gatherings. The
bringing the people together fire.
quently and under pleasant associa-
tions is of vast Importance. 1t de-
velops that large community idea,
the true conception of the individ-
ual's relation to the state that is the
real sense of democracy and that will
be the salvation of American insti-
tutions. This is one reason why city
life reached such high development
in Europe-the bringing the people
into the plaza or even the concert
halls, made their community spirit.
John Bigelow in his Goth year,