Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-06-23
GROWING TREES AND
GROWING BOYS

Mr.. Ammi W. Wright who did so
much to give our fair city place on
the map in an early day, showed ex-
cellent judgment and his deep inter
est in his osn and coming generations
when he prs..erved for them some of
the primeval forest which we know
and enjoy today as Wright Park.
Without the beautiful homes and
the blossoming gardens Of Messrs.
King, Rhodes, Ruggles, Lamb and
others, our city would lose much of
hte uplifting effect that comes from
the study Of form and color, for cold
and cheerless store and factory walls
can teach but little of the aesthetic.
The crimson ramblers at the depot
and the little plots Of roses and flow
ers that are scattered here and there
about the city will leave a much more
lasting and happy memory with the
transient who is passing through our
city than viii water towers and fac
tory chimneys. | doubt if the average
citizen fully appreciates the excellent
work that is being done by the Civic
Improvement League, and the Gar
den Club.
1t requires foresight, patience,
work, and some money to make a
city that is worthy Of the name. To
secure a fine grove, the trees must
be properly cared for. Flower gar
dens require much study and atten-
ton, if neglected, the dandelion will
crowd out the violet and the gladiolus
will be displaced by ragweed.
There is one crop that the city Of
Alma is neglecting and that is our
crop of boys and girls. 1t takes mon
ey, time, and attention to produce a
pure and rosy-cheeked girl or an hon
est, robust boy. Environment is prob
ably more important factor than
heredity in the growing Of first class
boys and girls. Mushrooms will grow
in a dark, damp basement but the
beautiful, red poppies must have the
bright sunlight. Dance halls on the
second floor or on the first floor be-
hind closed walls is not the best en-
vironment in which to grow boys and
girls | think that the Commission
should see to it that all dance halls
are open to the sunlight and public
observation.
Last week | met n number of boys
with their bathing suits who were on
their way to ST. Louis for a swim. We
provide place in the park where the
ducks can swim; why not do as much
for our boys and girls? The water
at st. Louis contains the sewage Of
two cities and our boys are in great
danger Of getting typhoid bacilli
when they battle in this water. We
have much better water for bathing
in Alma than they have at st. Louis
for there are no large cities above us
and the water comes for some miles
and il * fairly pure Summer is not
summer to a boy unless he can go
swimming at least once day. do
not wonder that some of them wish
they were ducks for then the city
would make some provision for them.
Why not extend Maple, Cedar, and
Philadelphia Avenues to the river, but
the land between these avenues along
the river front, dredge it out and have
an excellent bathing place for our
boys and girls and not force them to
walk three miles to st. Louis and then
have them battle in water full of sew
age. Let us act at once while the
land is available and Show as much
interest and foresight in the welfare
Of those who are to follow us as those
who have gone before us have shown
in US. Give the boys and girls
square deal by providing an outdoor
swimming pool.
Francis Z. West.