The record. (Greenville, Ky.) 1899-1???, 1917-04-05

Larger centers Have Intricate Prob
lens AM Need Expert Assistance, Es-
pecially Those Near Great Cities.
We now realize IS never before the
intcrdCpendcncc of city and country,
writes Philip ii. ElwOOd. Jr, i'll the
American City. This is essential to
the sound growth of the nation. Yet
the development Of the city has receiv-
cd much more careful study and plan
ming than las that of the country. 1t
is time that organized and intelligent
forcthought be brought to bear on the
many intricate problems of rural plan
hing
The following arc the most impor-
tant agencies for the advancement of
country and town planning at the pres
ent time:
American Civic association.
Town and village planning boards
The landscape profession.
Highway commissioners.
Village improvement societies.
Chambers of commerce and boards Of
trade.
Art societies and commissions.
Lecturers
University and state college extension
service.
The above agencies are twofold-
viz:
Educational,
Constructive.
The majority arc heavily inclined to-
ward the educational. which is no
doubt best. but following the educa-
tional we must provide means of exc
cution and construction.
In cities of course the situation is
different. There large projects involv-
ing considerable outlay are the rule.
and trained men. such as architects,
landscape architects. engineers and
lawyers, are Immediately called into
consultation. and plans are prepared in
busincsSlike way.
But the thousands of small towns,
villages and rural communities which
feed the larger ccnters have intricate
problems and need expert assistance.
especially in the neighbOrhoOd of i'm
portant cities where unsightly and in
sanitary conditions exist just beyond
the city's jurisdiction. The larger
cities are now growing into the coun-
try, and means of access should be i'm
proved ana tie country towns and vii
lagos made to- serve the cities without
losing their individuality.
Who rs o ie}3fft - 5el!ss}s Suppose 81
have village Improvement society or
ganiZcd by well meaning citizens to
eliminate some obvious evil. Whdt
can such an organization do in a large
way with only the funds collected from
sales. annual dues. suppers or Other
questionable means? Who is to helr
them in their worthy efforts to create
something Of which the best citizens
may be proud?
One of the chief thoughts brought
Oh, at the rc"0Ur unr:Onal conference
on clty DlanniH% ""S the one voiced
by Thomas Adams Of Canada when he
said that our great need in the United
States WAS for some centralized con
troll of the planning of our small towns
and rural districts. Shall we attempt
to form another national organization
for tue promotion Of this idea, or shall
we use the tried facilities now avail
able? For the present he latter seems
TO be the wiser course.
We have in nearly every state In the
UnCn working organization, backed
by the federal government. which. ii
the people ask. can be developed tC
serve our needs i'll the planning and
execution Of our village and country
Improvement problems. | refer to the
extension departments of our state uni
versitieS and colleges. Here we have
state help and separate working unit
in eacl, state promoting and assisting
public undertakings in our small towns
and rural communities. The worl
must be judiciously administered OF
unsatisfactory results and much crit
fciSm will follow.
This is no untried method. as it has
been followed for several years il
Massa chuGetts, and some Of the othe
states arc now taking up the work
To avoid criticism from professional
men and to carry out the work in ;
satisfactory manner the folloWin:
points have been quite clearly demon
stratcd by practice thus far:
Only work of public nature should b
undertaken. except for bona 1ide farmers
getting major incomes Crom the SOIL
Towns sufficiently large and prosperou
are referred to independent profeEsiona
men.
All actual expenses are charged to tn
community served. The services of tn
expert are furnished by the state
Where distances VAR greatly, as in
large state, the state may pay travelin
expenses bey0nd certain point.
Careful records of all operations shout
be kept, and q thorough follow up" car
red out.
The execution Of plans should be Yer
closely superintendent to avoid waste c
time and money. In short, the construC
ton and general handling of the work ar
carried on very much as from a regula
professional Office.
The idea of cC-Opcrati0n among til
various states should be t0StcrCd. LIE
those who have had experiences te
others Of their Successes dld failure:
go that the mistakes of one state wi
not be repeated III another