536 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



While a school may legitimately be held responsible for the formal 

 education of an individual, it cannot be held responsible for his total 

 education. The individual is the product of his total environment 

 and many a lesson taught in school has been forgotten in the light of 

 actual practice in the home and community. 



ROBERT H. EYRE. How can you inculcate aesthetic attitude in the 

 citizenry? Three measures need emphasis : (1) Education; (2) in- 

 creasing use of the police power; and (3) financial incentives. 



An enlightened public is a prerequisite for beautification. Far 

 greater attention needs to be given to the problem in secondary 

 schools. Our mass media of communication needs an organized 

 effort. Our public servants need refresher courses. Foundations and 

 civic groups should be stimulated. The public generally must be in- 

 spired to act in unison in every neighborhood, business district, and 

 industrial complex. 



New regulatory processes must be developed and tested for con- 

 stitutionality in the courts. Broadening the police power concept to 

 include aesthetic considerations within the health, safety, and welfare 

 framework of judicial precedence will come slowly, unless public 

 indignation motivates a liberalization of the attitudes in the courts 

 of the land. Research, testing, and contributions to the technical 

 literature must pave the way for beautification progress in these fields. 



Economic incentives may be appropriate in the form of subsidies 

 or credit in providing the benefit of an underwriting advantage to 

 FHA loans, small business loans, or industrial stimulation programs. 

 It is suggested that the interest rate be modified by the Federal assist- 

 ance programs to favor beautified property because of the better risk. 

 If it makes sense to give tax depreciation allowances as investment 

 property becomes obsolesent, it can be argued that there is an off- 

 setting community interest sufficient to justify a credit in mortgaging 

 and taxing policies to encourage a beautiful environment. But there 

 can be no justification for giving credit or tax advantage that favors 

 continuance of slums. 



Depreciation allowance on Federal income taxes could be allowed 

 the homeowner for beautification improvements. State and local 

 taxing bodies, should be encouraged not to penalize the owner who 

 beautifies his property. 



THOMAS JEAN. The potential contribution of adult education 

 in the campaign to restore, preserve, and create beauty in America 

 should not be overlooked. During the open discussion on educa- 



