COMMERCIAL BODIES AND CIVIC IMPROVMENT. 



327 



simply of individual preference but of pub- 

 lic concern. The investment in attractive- 

 ness is no longer municipal extravagance, 

 but prudent expenditure, hence the organi- 

 zation of improvement associations, usually 

 composed of people of a neighborhood, or 

 in smaller cities of an entire community, has 

 come to be a recognized method of encour- 

 aging an esprit de corps which is essential 

 to the best growth. Such societies have as 

 their purpose not only the beautifying of ex- 

 ternal conditions but also general improve- 

 ment and instruction. The Neighborhood 

 Improvement Association is not, it is true, 

 a recent form of organization, but its exten- 



FiG, 263;. A Corner in Grounls ok Wfstinc- 

 House Air Brake Co., Pittsburo, Pa. 



sion and importance are more fully recog- 

 nized at this time. 



The improvement association seeks the 

 general good and asks assistance from every 

 class of kindred social, educational and civic 

 organizations. In the list of the possible 

 helpers are the commercial and municipal 

 bodies of many cities. While these are 

 formed voluntarily or by law for the promo- 

 tion of business enterprises or for legisla- 

 tion for the city's government and the moral, 

 physical and financial safety of the corpora- 

 tion, yet the application of these functions 

 is wide and varied. Local and municipal 



bodies — city, town and village councils, 

 etc. — have it within their power very mater- 

 ially to assist these organizations by encour- 

 aging and passing well planned ordinances 

 for securing the general purpose for which 

 they are formed so far as they pertain to 

 common interests. 



It is within the power of these civic bodies 

 (i) To see that the streets and alleys are 

 kept neat and attractive ; 



(2) To provide for the collection of gar- 

 bage, refuse, etc. 



Both of these are important, not only for 

 the sake of appearance, but more especially 

 for the sake of the general health of the 

 community. With good laws, well en- 

 forced, backed by the interest of active im- 

 provement associations, a town may be re- 

 volutionised in a short time. Without the 

 active assistance of well organized, inter- 

 ested citizens, it is difficult to enforce 

 even the good laws. An improvement asso- 

 ciation is an excellent director of public 

 opinion and educator of personal interests. 



(3) To make reasonable but exact rules 

 for good sidewalks, roadways, planting of 

 trees, etc. 



(4) To provide for parks. 



(5) In short, to put into the form of or- 

 dinances and to provide for their enforce- 

 ment, proper laws for municipal care of 

 public health and improvement, and to enlist 

 members of improvement associations or 

 similar organizations in their best develoo- 

 ment. 



It is important that the work be in har- 

 mony, remembering that members of other, 

 societies often are willing to g^ve freely of 

 their time and effort to encourage this fea- 

 ture. 



In almost every city, the boards of trade, 

 the commercial clubs and similar organiza- 

 tions are the representative bodies for busi- 

 ness purposes. Their object is the proper 

 advertising of the city's interests. No bet- 

 ter means can be used to accomplish this 



