PARK AND CEMETERY 
11 
ject, without regard to ability or standing as an artist. 
The rejected statue of Kosciusko was modeled b> a 
comparatively unknown Polish sculptor, whose full 
size model bears no evidence of modern art develop- 
ment, but to a considerable extent exhibits the gro- 
tesqueness of a certain period of art history. The com- 
position of the Chicago Art Commission gives assur- 
ance that none but the highest motives could possibly 
influence a decision, and the rejection of the Kosciusko 
model will redound finally quite as much to the repu- 
tation of its Polish citizens as to the city itself. The 
Polish citizenship of Chicago is rather to be congrat- 
ulated in that it will possibly be the first nationality in 
this city to have a meritorious work of art as homage 
to the great Polish patriot. 
^ ^ ^ 
A Year of Park Improvement. 
From the appearance of things and press reports 
from many sections of the country we are evidently 
enjoying an era of park improvement. The campaign 
of education to implant in the minds of the poeple the 
great advantages of abundant park areas, which has 
been waged the past few years, is bearing fruit, and 
they are realizing its value and importance. It is a 
question that is proven beyond doubt that parks, gar- 
dens and playgrounds in our cities, mean healthier, 
more industrious, and better citizens from all points 
of view. While a large amount of park work is at 
present either in progress or under consideration in 
other places, perhaps Chicago takes the lead in both 
the expanse and expense of the several projects seri- 
ously contemplated. Ever since its citizens began to 
realize what an oversight was committed by the early 
Fathers in releasing so much of the beautiful lake 
shore to the railroads, efforts have been made to rem- 
edy this condition and with success. Before many 
years it is more than probable that parks and park- 
ways will occupy the lake shore for miles along the 
city front. On the north shore the Lincoln Park Com- 
missioners are preparing to expend from two to five 
millions of dollars on extensions and improvements, 
and the South Park Commissioners are securing leg- 
islation to increase their powers and to improve their 
opportunities from Jackson Park almost to the mouth 
of the Chicago river. A boulevard to> connect the 
north and south park systems, to cross the river by a 
commodious subway, is also in the practical prelimi- 
nary stages. The munificent proffer of Mr. Marshall 
Field to present the city with a museum building to 
cost some $10,000,000, and with an endowment fund 
to make it perpetual, on the condition that it be erected 
in the lake shore park opposite the down-town dis- 
trict, is incentive enough to set park commissioners in 
a frenzy of effort. But what one city accomplishes 
or even proposes to accomplish is a contagious propo- 
sition, and seems, happily, to attack communities far 
and wide from its direct influence, so that a great ex- 
ample being set it is not unreasonable to expect that 
this year will continue, in a greatly increased ratio, 
the pronounced activity in park building throughout 
the country. 
^ ^ ^ 
Arbor Day. 
The interest in Arbor Day throughout the country, 
east, west, north and south, while not so demonstrative 
in its manifestation as in the early years of its observ- 
ance, is now marked by far greater intelligence in its 
exercises, and has really become a permanent calendar 
day for the beginning of the year’s outdoor gardening 
work. There is still room for improvement in many 
localities, the chief cause of failure to realize substan- 
tial benefit from the day’s exercises being the lack of 
intelligent and practical direction. In some states the 
spirit of the day is mainly brought to bear on the school 
grounds, and is therefore likely to become a powerful 
agency in the general improvement of these neglected 
spots and indeed were Arbor Day to result alone in 
this reform, it were enough to secure perpetual homage 
to its founder. In other progressive sections of the 
country public-spirited citizens are offering prizes to 
the school children, both for the best programs of exer- 
cises for the occasion and the best practical planting 
efforts. Teachers of the public schools in the country 
places are beginning to appreciate the import of Arbor 
Day, and to understand that the planting of trees is not 
the only object of its observance, but that far beyond 
that even, is the fact that it affords opportunity to 
especially endeavor to concentrate the children’s minds 
on out-of-doors beauty, and to direct them into making 
use of nature’s material so lavishly offered them to 
improve the immediate surroundings of their homes 
and schoolhouses. 
^ ^ ^ 
The St. Louts Improvement Exhibit. 
The Board of managers of the Louisiana Purchase 
Exposition of 1904, has appointed Mr. Albert Kelsey 
superintendent of the Municipal Improvement Ex- 
hibit. Mr. Kelsey, who is a prominent Philadel- 
phia architect, has been an ardent advocate of the pro- 
posed exhibits, and introduced the resolution on the* 
subject at the Buffalo convention of the American 
League for Civic Improvement, and which was unani- 
mously passed. Since that time he has given close 
study to the subject, and being an enthusiastic and pro- 
gressive worker, we may rely upon his leaving no stone 
unturned to secure a successful display, and what is of 
more importance still, to impress its value as a neces- 
sary part of modern education. Mr. Kelsey, upon ac- 
cepting the appointment, immediately held conferences 
with the Exposition authorities and interested organ- 
izations, and it is expected that the scope and details 
of the exhibits will soon be announced. 
