Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-29
.LAUDS CIVIC PRIDE
OF STATE CAPITAL
American Association, in Con-
Vention, Hears OF Beautifying
Plans in Harrisburg
TAFT TO SPEAK FRIDAY

Pennsylvania state capitol at lIar-
risburg was warmly praised at the
first session of the fifteenth annual con
ventiou of the American Civic Associa
tion, held on the Bellevue Stratford
roof, by Arnold W. Brunncr, of New
York.
Mr.. Drummer spoke of Civic Cen
tcrs and state Cepitols, with especial
reference to the State Capitol Plan for
Harrisburg, Ia"
"Now here has there been c,inced,
said Mr.. Drummer, "a greater harmony
of ideals of city and states than in this
great commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The city of Harrisburg is exceptional.
Inspired and guided by the uutiriug
efforts of our president, J. Horace Nc
Farland, it has shown the most ad
mirabIe public spirit.
Its parks, waterfront aud other
manifestations of civic pride arc well
known, and when tho enlargement of
Capitol Park was determined and
twenty eight acres were added to it,
it forty three in all, it. was
always with the desire to have the city
share in the benefit Of the now i'm
Explains Capitol Plans
Mr. Brunner explained in some de-
tail how the additions TO the CAPITOL
and the grounds would be laid out.
The inspiration of the French palaces
and gardens, those wonderful pleasure
houses for kings, has been sought their
graceful design reverentIy studied their
successful treatment and combination of
formal and informal landscapng, but
always with the endeavor to adapt their
beautiful forms to the wants of the
people"
Mr.: Brunner declared this to be
period of expansion, development and
reconstruction. in spite of universal
unrest and strikes III all industries. in
spite Of every difficulty and every OBJ
j. Horace Mcfarland president of
tho organization, presided at the opcn-
ing session. He told how the old and
discredited city beautiful" idea had
given place. to the idea of city planning
in which the ends of beauty would be
served by utility, healthfulncss and
comfort.
I'VE want to make American cities
better places to live in" he said. IF
they are, they will be better places to
do business in, and will have more
business to do. City planning is es
'ential to the welfare OF any com.
nunity.'
Mr.. Mcfarland pointed out that the
government. during the war, had recog
ni2ed the need of city planning to the
extent of spending n billion dollars on
proper and adequate housing facilities
for its war workers
Fred II. Moore. director of commu-
nifty service here. told how the COM
munity service idea had been an out
growth of the war camp community
service, and had been of great benefit
to those portions of every community
which lay close to its community houses.
Governor Not Present
Governor Sproul was to have been
one of the speakers at today's session.
but was unable TO attend. Frederick
Law Olmstead. of Brookline. who is
planning to coordinate the community
pTODltIl6 Ol tue Nldlu Jlut lbNhS near
Philadelphia, spoke in the Governors
place.
Topics ranging from war memorials to
noise, smoke and billboards in the city.
will be discussed during the three day
session.
Representatives of some thirty Or
ganizations i'll the country interested in
civic betterment and civic planning are
the guests of this city and of its
various clubs and welfare associations.
Among the speakers during the conven-
tion will be former President William
Howard Taft, on Friday night and Mrs,
Mary Roberts Rinehart Friday morn
ing.
Clinton Rogers Woodruff is chairman
of the Gprogram committee. Mrs. Ed
ward Biddle. member Of the board of
American Civic Association. is chair
man of the women's reception commit
tee.
Mrs. Biddle. who is president of the
Civic Club of Philadelphia. presided
at today's luncheon, at which three
minute reports were heard from dele
gates on municipal accomplishments.