THE VILLAGE 461 



park interests, was the first national association representing 

 the interests under review. In 1900, the American League for 

 Civic Improvement was formed at Springfield to give special 

 attention to improvement associations, in the promotion of which 

 it has been most efficient. The League for Social Service, of 

 New York, is another .most efficient association working along 

 similar lines, but giving more attention to sociological subjects. 

 This year the first state association of village improvement so- 

 cieties was organized in Massachusetts. The association, first re- 

 ferred to, invited representatives of all national associations hav- 

 ing similar objects in view to attend its Boston Meeting in 1902, 

 where the action taken resulted in the formation of the Civic 

 Alliance, to be general clearing-house for all activities and ideas 

 represented by these various associations. The leaders of the 

 first two associations, feeling that greater efficiency could be se- 

 cured by working together, have taken action toward a merger, 

 the following sections being suggested for the new association : 



Arts and Crafts. 



City Making and Town Improvement. 



Civic Art. 



Factory Betterment. 



Libraries. 



Parks and Public Reservations. 



Propaganda. 



Public Nuisances. 



Public Recreation. 



Railroad Improvement. 



Rural Improvement. 



School Extension. 



Social Settlements. 



Women's Club Work. 



The National Federation of Women's Clubs, with its mem- 

 bership of over 230,000, has done much to improve towns and 

 cities through its local clubs. How important this woman's 

 work is can be known only to those who can appreciate with 

 what moral courage, enthusiasm, and self-denial women will 

 take up new interests, and how often one woman's persistency 



