The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-01
MODEL CITY OF CHINA
THE WORK OF ONE MAN
Nan-tung Chow Practical Example of Modern
Achievement Worked Out by Chang Chen,
Scholar-Statesman

in awakening and developing Nan-tung
Chow?' was a question asked Chang
Chen.
"If you wish to develop community
you must first of all avoid all self-inter-
est, which is q stumbling block to true
success. If you would have the COM
mon people desire cleanliness and ap-
preciate the beautiful in art and nature
they must first be given the opportunity
to earn their rice. Create condition
such that the people do not think OF
poverty"
His Power Not OficiaI.
had my first glimpse of the moving
spring of Chang Chien's civic impulse
when asked his Excellency why there
were not more men like himself in China
doing In other districts what he was
doing for Nan-tung Chow. He modestly
replied that there were many other men
of equal ability and ideals. But they
held back because of the constant politi-
cal disturbances md the upset condi-
tions of currency and finance.
/ was curious about his own quite
unusual relation to the local govern
ment, for he was not an official, yet
was very practically in control of tho
entire community. And l asked about
enterprises. Chang Chen told me that
there were, of course, duly appointed
Government officials. conducting many
of the usual functions of the mandarin.
But to him had been given charge OF
all public institutions-the poorhouse,
jails, the police, roads, as well as direc-
ton of all educational work. A trained
expert is in charge of each activity
His own time he gives unsparingly, for
LII, NkgraE NJ n On
but for national betterment.
He outlined the scheme of industrial
development of Nan-tung Chow, which
is centred in six land development COM
panies. It is in this Industrial pioneer
ing that Mr.. Chang takes the keenest
interest The first of the companies he
started about nineteen years ago. Capt.
tai was subscribed literally by his ac-
quaintances and other investors who had
implicit confidence in his integrity
ExperimentnI Fields Varied.
A visitor sees in the vicinity of the
Agricultural College experimental helds
bearing heavy crops Of Sea Island cot
ton, sugar cane from America. selected
wheat for specific kinds of soil, attrac-
tive orchards of apples, pears and figs
and groves of bamboo and mulberry.
There is a school OF embroidery with
100 young women who are studying
under the instruction of a Chinese lady
Of renown, the most skilled artist IN
embroidery in China. In another school
an antique art is being preserved by the
teaching of tapestry weaving. public
library has been built and equipped
with 10000 volumes.
There are five public parks in Nan
tung Chow connected by winding drive
ways and artistic bridges and separated
by lakes and grottoes. These are among
Mr. Changes more recent projects. Dur
ing a luncheon at one of them. Chang
Chen confided another of his secrets
of success. He had pledged himself
twenty years ago to initiate each year
two new constructive projects. He has
kept his promise and has done even
more during certain years. Last years
projects included the establishment Of
these five public parks. This years
projects include an automobile road to
the famous Lang Shan hills, and next
year he plans more roads, more dikes
for food prevention and a school for
silk culture.