PARK AND CEMETERY 
AND LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
Vol. XXI Chicago, June, 1911 No. 4 
Garden Cities 
On May 29 the City Club of Chicago gave another oppor- 
tunity to its membership and friends to listen to the second 
of the guests of the Philadelphia Conference on City Plan- 
ning to visit Chicago, at a luncheon at the Great Northern 
Hotel. The visitor was Mr. Raymond Unwin of London, 
and he was accompanied by his wife. In 1905-6 Mr. Unwin 
laid out Letchworth, called the “First Garden City,” and 
more recently has planned the "Hampstead Garden Suburb,” 
which has attracted much atention. He is also the author 
of “Town Planning in Practice,” and in the introduction to 
his audience by the chairman, Mr. I. K. Pond, President 
A. I. A., the latter said “Mr. Lhiwin might, by simply read- 
ing the headings of his book, make you a pretty good 
speech.” In beginning on his subject matter Mr. Unwin 
remarked : “It seems to me that one method of city plan- 
ning has emphasized what I think is a very important fact 
for city planners all over the world to remember, namely, 
that the art of city planning, like all other art, is primarily 
a form of expression and that it is only healthy and sound 
when it is a natural, straightforward and honest expression 
of the needs of the community. Art is not the trimming 
to be put on like lace and furbelows.” In this there is 
much food for thought as indeed there was throughout his 
illustrated talk. Such city-planning conferences must re- 
sult in inestimable good, not the least good being that they 
broaden the field • from which to gather both precept and 
practice. 
Fairmount Park Art Association 
When we think over the long and useful life of the Fair- 
mount Park Art Association, and its success in improving 
the city art of Philadelphia and even in providing many 
attractive monuments, it is surprising that its methods have 
not been imitated in many other cities. The 39th Annual 
Report, recently issued, from this point of view alone makes 
an interesting pamphlet. For Fairmount Park the asso- 
ciation has been the means of securing thirty-eight im- 
portant works of art, while to the city list of monuments 
four have been added. The association, not without just 
cause, claims that the movement for civic betterment, for 
the “systematic promotion of worthy memorials aixl for the 
recognition of beauty in public places as something worth 
working for,” had its origin in Philadelphia when the asso- 
ciation was organized thirty-nine years ago. Its methods 
of work, its organization, and the aims it cultivates, might 
well be studied and adapted to the circumstances of any 
city of importance. Such an association even in an ordi- 
nary way would do incalculable good in any community, 
and its work would be permanent and redound to the bene- 
fit of both the present and future. 
State Conventions of Cemetery Associations 
The Ohio Association of Cemetery Superintendents and 
Officials holds its Tenth annual convention on June 21 at 
Marion, O., and for which, as will have been seen in the 
May issue, an excellent program has been prepared. The 
New England Association holds frequent meetings which 
have proven to be very profitable to its membership. It is 
regrettable that the associations in other states have not 
kept pace with these flourishing organizations that are doing 
so much for the cemeteries in their respective localities. 
Public spirited Boards of Cemetery Commissioners and other 
cemetery officials ought to realize the advantages to be 
gained by promoting the welfare of such associations in 
their states as well as of co-operating with the National 
Association which includes in its membership the leading 
experts of the country in cemetery development and man- 
agement. While the successful work of the National Asso- 
ciation of American Cemetery Superintendents is a well 
known fact to those interested in cemeteries, were it still 
more appreciated by a larger yearly increase in its mem- 
bership, its influence would be still greater, and the work 
of improving our cemeteries more rapidly advanced. The 
most successful national associations today are those whose 
membership is, in its measure, increased through the state 
associations. Not only is the membership increased but the 
broader organization enables them to take up and push to 
a successful issue problems that have a wider significance, 
and which could not, probably, be taken up otherwise. 
ve Ng Ng 
City Planning 
City planning and the necessary organizations to carry to 
a successful issue the redevelopment, as it were, of our 
progressive towns is making good headway. One of the 
more recent instances of the movement is that of the good 
old town of Salem, Mass., where by ordinance there' has 
lately been established a City Plans Commission. Sec- 
tion 3 of the ordinance gives the main proposition; “It 
shall be the duty of said Board, with such expert assistance 
as they may be empowered to employ, to make a careful 
study of the entire city, and cause to be made a city plan 
or plans, which in their judgment will be best adapt- 
ed to the present conditions and future needs of Salem, and 
as soon as may be, report in writing to the City Council, 
the result of their study and investigation, together with all 
necessary plans, maps, diagrams or models which shall be 
considered a part of their report, * * * Said commission 
shall give special consideration to the elimination of grade 
crossings, the physical extension of the city, the changing 
of the grade and lines of existing streets, the lay-out of new 
streets, ways and squares : the development of parks and 
connecting driveways, civic and social centers and public 
buildings ; the preservation of historical landmarks : the 
locating of statuary or other works of art ; the improve- 
ment of harbor and water front ; the industrial and com- 
mercial developments of the city, and the general further 
improvement and development of Salem, along such lines 
as may, after investigation, seem for the best interests of 
the city and its citizens.” This covers a good deal of ground 
which a painstaking and capable commission will take ad- 
vantage of in formulating its plans for a future Salem. 
Ng Ng Ng 
State Conservation of Resources 
There is always a growing need for prompt and united 
action in conserving natural resources, whether state or 
national, and every state not having already done so, should 
follow the example of Illinois and form a state conserva- 
tion association. Certain objectionable activity in the legis- 
lature has hurried this matter, and the object of the asso- 
ciation as set forth, is briefly: “To preserve the public 
interest in the streams of Illinois, the submerged lands • of 
the state and all places of natural scenic beauty. All inter- 
ested citizens are invited to become associate members. The. 
headquarters address is 1 South Dearborn Street, Chicago.” 
