PARK AND CEMETERY 
and Landscape Gardening. 
Vol. XV CHICAGO, SEPTEMBER, 1905. No. 7 
Annual Con'vention of American Civic Association. 
The annual meeting of the American Civic Asso- 
ciation, which will be held in Cleveland, O., October 
4-6, promises to be of more than usual interest, which 
is saying a great deal. The Cleveland Chamber of 
Commerce has entered into the matter very liberally, 
and from the fact that the improvement spirit in its 
broader ramifications, has very practically manifested 
itself in Cleveland, local interest will materially con- 
tribute to a successful event. The advance program 
provides an educational entertainment covering a wide 
range of subjects, which will be discussed by author- 
ities well known for their work in the great cause of 
civic betterment, and the allied societies, tributary to 
the main body, viill have opportunities for expressing 
themselves and for drawing inspiration from the ex- 
perience of others. Under such organized effort as 
has been displayed by the association, it is astonish- 
ing what an amount of good work has been accom- 
plished in all sections of the country, and while the 
movement is still- only in its infancy, considering what 
is yet to be done, success is stimulating all interested 
into stronger and more far-reaching effort. 
^ ^ 
The City Tree Question. 
That there is a continued and growing interest in 
trees, both from the standpoints of utility and beauty, 
frequent references in the public press demonstrate. 
Such references, however, often prove how compara- 
tively little knowledge generally exists on the subject, 
and also that there are many people yet to be educated 
to a point of realizing the value of trees beyond their 
own limited interests. The movement for the better 
care of town and city trees is rapidly spreading, and 
many places are appointing tree commissions or of- 
ficials whose duties are confined to the care and pro- 
vision of trees, where appropriate or beneficial, within 
the corporate limits. The diverse views with regard to 
trees in our city streets, the abuses to which they are 
subjected, both from individual and corporate mis- 
deeds, and the lack of absolute knowledge concerning 
their care and development, have forcibly suggested 
to many towns of importance, that to secure uniform 
and the best results an office must be created for the 
benefit of the city trees. The more general recognition 
of the fact of their beauty as well as healthfulness in 
our streets and thoroughfares will render more im- 
perative the necessity of their proper care, and will 
very materially help in the cause of civic improvement. 
But common sense and good judgment must be exer- 
cised. It is possible to force the tree question until it 
gets beyond reasonable limits and becomes a craze. 
But the tree warden or commissioner should be a man 
of keen tree knowledge, in all its bearings, and then 
muddy streets on the one hand or sunburned thorough- 
fares on the other, will be unknown, and the beauty 
of a tree-lined roadway will become a public pride. 
^ ^ ^ 
A Defect in Park Legislation. 
In these days of reform as to graft and other feat- 
ures of political dishonesty, would it not be both ap- 
propriate and desirable to make such amendments in 
our state laws as would, so far as possible, not only 
define the duties of the men required to carry out such 
laws but also prescribe the class of men that should 
be appointed to fill the offices ? Take, for instance, the 
usual state laws regarding city parks and grounds. 
These laws attenrpt to regulate in the veriest detail the 
duties and limitations of the officials to be appointed 
to carr}' them out, but dismiss the subject of the quali- 
fications of such men, by, as a rule, empowering the 
mayor or some other governing officeholder, to appoint 
commissioners equally from the two political parties. 
Not a word as to ability, character, condition or any- 
thing else which might direct the appointing power in 
his selection of public officers. Under such lax law- 
making the mayor of a city may appoint whomsoever 
he chooses, regardless of fitness and the resulting evils 
have grown to immense proportions. 
^ ^ ^ 
An Evil in Cemetery Management. 
While the idea of conducting a cemetery for rev- 
enue only is repugnant to many people, it is certain 
that the example set by the great corporations in the 
care and development of their grounds, is one that in- 
many respects should be followed by the smaller asso- 
ciations similarly organized. There are numbers of 
prominent cemeteries of the country where it is so evi- 
dent that they are conducted purely for revenue, that 
it is a wonder that so much patronage is extended to 
them. With every opportunity for up-to-date develop- 
ment, beautiful sites and intelligent communities to 
contribute to their welfare, the lack of special care, 
and the evident parsimony of the ownership, works 
untold harm to the grounds and alienates that public 
sympathy and encouragement which is more than half 
the battle in successful cemetery management. It is 
bad business, too, for it may be taken for granted that 
the larger corporations do not make heavy expendi- 
tures in the improvement of their properties for other 
reasons than to secure business profits, and if such 
expenditures bring good results in their cases, similar 
results might be expected by the smaller corporations. 
