THE VILLAGE 473 



economizing money. At the same time, it is expected to ac- 

 complish substantially better results for the community. 



Civic improvement usually succeeds best under the direction 

 of some live, local organization. This may be a village improve- 

 ment society, or it may be some association which exists pri- 

 marily for another purpose but which undertakes also to assist 

 in the physical upbuilding of the community in which it lives. 

 The work in some towns has been definitely undertaken by the 

 Grange, though seldom with a sufficiently comprehensive plan. 

 In some communities, it has been successfully prosecuted by 

 women's clubs. Where no organization already exists, or where 

 no existing organization is ready to take up the work, the best 

 plan is often to form a central committee or federation com- 

 posed of delegates from existing organizations, such as lodges, 

 churches, women's clubs, men's clubs, etc. Under recent Massa- 

 chusetts legislation the formation of a town planning board has 

 come to be one of the best methods of securing permanent re- 

 sults. Whatever local organization may be in charge of the work, 

 outside advice and expert assistance should be frequently called 

 in. This is highly important. 



As the bulk of civic improvement is applied to public works, 

 and as the whole of it is designed for the public good, the bills 

 should be paid chiefly from the public treasury. An indispen- 

 sable part of a civic betterment campaign is to see that public 

 money is wisely and honestly used. The immediate contingent 

 expenses of the village improvement society may be met by 

 private contributions, by fairs or entertainments, or by any 

 means most acceptable to the community. 



Commonly the leading problems presented in a community 

 improvement program are as follows: (a) approaches, (b) 

 streets, including trees, (c) civic centers, (d) commons, (e) 

 public buildings, (f) playgrounds, (g) private grounds, (h) 

 maintenance. A full discussion of all these problems would re- 

 quire an entire volume, but the main issues may be pointed out 

 briefly herewith. 



Every town and every rural district should have suitable means 

 of access. We hear a great deal nowadays of isolated communi- 

 ties, meaning those which are hard to reach. Easy access comes 

 by well-kept roads, by well-managed trolley lines, or by rail- 



