PARK AND CEMETERY. 
131 
Qvic Improvement 
TWO IMPORTANT PHASES OF MODERN CIVIC IMPROVEMENT EFFORT. 
Work of the New York Art Commission. 
The annual report of the Art Commission of New 
York Cit}^, recently submitted to the mayor, is con- 
vincing proof of its importance in municipal affairs 
and the necessity of such a commission in large cities. 
And these considerations are becoming more appar- 
ent every year. Under the charter the Art Commis- 
sion has power to act in all questions relating to the 
works of art which the city by any means may ac- 
quire; in all matters relating to the art objects it pos- 
sesses at present ; in the selection of designs for all 
municipal buildings, bridges, and any structures to be 
erected ; in fact, it has a general care of the city’s in- 
terests wherein art is a factor. In 1905 there were 
105 cases submitted to the commission, involving an 
approximate amount of $18,600,000; twenty-three of 
these concern works of art solely, and ten in the re- 
moval, relocation, or alteration of works of art, and 
fifty-six were designs for public buildings and other 
works. In twenty-two cases the submissions were 
disapproved in whole or in part, and amended plans 
were prepared. The Commission is of the opinion 
that its work has been successful “in securing a 
higher aesthetic standard for public structures.’’ It 
is not alone that the actual work of the commission 
secures results, but the fact that it exists to protect 
and advise on the art interests of the municipality, 
leads to better work on the part of artists and design- 
ers and thus the commission exercises a double func- 
tion. No architect or artist is likely to submit any- 
thing but well considered designs with the prospect 
ahead of being turned down, with the loss of time and 
expense. It is evident that the working plans of the 
commission provide for sincere and unprejudiced de- 
cisions, and the results of its labors in New York 
city should invite similar control of art matters 
throughout the country. The work of such a body 
simply in vetoing the erection of public structures of 
an inferior character makes it a valuable aid to civic 
progress. 
Publicity as an Aid in Improvement Work. 
Nothing is more indicative of the firm hold our 
improvement associations are taking in the devel- 
opment of their respective fields of active work, than 
the publicity which in a constantly increasing ratio 
proclaims both efforts and results. Not only is 
greater and more regular use made of the local 
press, but numbers of the more advanced associa- 
tions use considerable printer's ink to promote the 
projects under discussion and in hand, and to estab- 
lish a knowledge of their usefulness and necessity 
in the community. In a few instances the publica- 
tion of a small periodical, regularly issued, and in 
which advertising matter helps to pay the bill, main- 
tains the work of the association in the minds of 
their fellow citizens and tends to create a sense of 
confidence in its stability and resourcefulness. More 
pretentious associations, such as may be found in 
towns of greater population, are prodding the public 
spirit of the people by engaging competent authori- 
ties to prepare reports upon larger plans of compre- 
hensive civic betterment, and by issuing such reports 
in pamphlet form awaken public spirit and enthu- 
siasm in the proposed enterprises. Whether it be 
by the use of the local press, printed matter on their 
own behalf, or the pubication of reliable reports, the 
importance of the improvement association is every 
day becoming better appreciated. It is a layman’s 
movement, untrammeled by political barriers, red- 
tape or precedent, and founded upon the. keen desire 
on the part of all worthy citizens to attain as nearly 
as possible ideal conditions of both urban and rural 
life, and the education of the masses to a realiza- 
tion of what it means, cannot be better or more 
rapidly secured than by using every possible means 
of publicity. And the more positive this becomes, 
the better for the cause. A number of improvement 
associations who have energetic press committees have 
been noted in these pages, and there should be many 
more of them. 
