PARK AND CEMETERY 
371 
Tlie American Civic Association in Convention 
Clavelandt O.t October 
The first annual convention of the American Civic 
Association since its formation last year by 
the union of the two leading civic improve- 
ment organizations in America was held at 
Cleveland, O., October 4 to 6, and marked distinct 
and far-reaching progress in systematic organized ef- 
fort for civic betterment. Cleveland, tbe leading city 
in varied, intelligent, successful civic improvement 
work was a most appropriate selection for the con- 
vention. The magnificant group plan, which is al- 
ready begun, was studied at first hand under the guid- 
ance of the men who planned it. The Chamber of 
Commerce, a model organization of its kind — under 
whose auspices the meeting was held comprehends in 
its field of work lines of endeavor that touch on every 
phase of the city’s life, and is an object lesson in in- 
telligent, well-directed civic activity. Another inspir- 
ing lesson was seen in the view of Cleveland’s system 
of fine natural parks, the result of the individual 
efforts and philanthropy of some of her public-spirited 
citizens. 
The sessions were held in the handsome building 
of the Chamber of Commerce and in the Assembly 
Hall of the Hollenden Hotel, and were admirably con- 
ducted in every respect. The work of all of the fifteen 
departments of the Association was presented in 
forceful and interesting addresses by men and women 
of national reputation in their respective fields. The 
scope of the work has been vastly broadened and 
thoroughly organized. The papers presented consti- 
tute a compendium of the ripest thought of the times 
on civic improvement, and the meeting is easily to be 
characterized as the most notable gathering of civic 
improvement workers ever held in this country. 
First Day, Wednesday, October 4. 
The Wednesday morning session opened at ten 
o’clock in the Chamber of Commerce with President 
McFarland in the chair. ]Ma}-or Tom L. Johnson 
spoke a few words of heart^■ welcome that were sec- 
i 
onded by President Ambrose Swasey of the Cleveland 
Chamber of Commerce, who addressed the conven- 
tion on “The Chamber of Commerce as a Factor in 
Civic Improvement.” 
He said that many chambers of commerce occupy 
themselves entirely with trade, business and financial 
matters, but that the Cleveland Chamber extends its 
field of usefulness into every phase of civic life. He 
gave a .brief summary of some of the work done by 
its active and efficient committees during the past three 
years. It has been active in furthering the well 
known Cleveland plan for grouping all of the public 
and semi-public buildings along a great central Mall 
extending from the lake to the public square, forming 
a magnificent gateway to the city. The Federal Build- 
ing at the Public Square end of the Mall is now under 
construction, plans have been prepared for the City 
Hall, and assurances have been received that the 
Union Station at tlie lake end will be built. The total 
expenditure for this improvement will be about 
$13,000,000. Its Municipal Committee has secured 
the establishment of a Municipal Forestry Department, 
with the city divided into sections and a warden in 
charge of each, and has presented a plan for the uni- 
form numbering of the streets which is soon to be 
adopted. The Committee on Municipal Sanitation has 
formulated a new sanitary code and has a new law for 
food inspection under consideration. The Committee 
on Benevolent Associations investigates all charitable 
organizations and eliminates those that are fraudulent. 
The Chamber also maintains committees on parks, edu- 
cational matters, public play-grounds, housing, street 
cleaning, etc. 
President McFarland responded briefly, saying that 
the Association was especially fortunate in meeting at 
Cleveland, which was the leader in city betterment 
with the exception of Washington, where the pub- 
lic cash box is more easy of access. He said that the 
work of the Association was broader than it seemed. 
