For Enhancement Of City's Beauty

An Enthusiastic Meeting was Held Yesterday Afternoon

A CIVIC ORGANIZATION

Was Perfected and Work will Shortly Begin on the Improvements That Have Been Mapped Out

For the first time in the history of Ann Arbor, a society has been organized the purpose of which is to beautify and improve the city. Ann Arbor has long been widely famous for its natural beauty and now when the new organization executes some of the improvements, at present under consideration, the city will be an attractive summer resort and a home of which its citizens may well feel proud. 

Wednesday being the last meeting of the Ladies' Union, the last paper in the series of philanthropy had been assigned to Mrs. Reighard. Instead of presenting this paper, however, Mrs. Reighard arranged for a symposium on the subject "Civic Improvements," the aim of the meeting being to organize the Civic Improvement association.

The speakers procured by Mrs. Reighard, representing the city and University, were all masters of their subjects and their talks tended to show what has been done in cities less favored by nature than Ann Arbor, what can be done, and also ideas of what may be accomplished. 

The first speaker was Mrs. Joseph Markley, who gave an interesting account of what has been done by the improvement association in the little German town of Gottingen, which has not the beautiful natural resources that Ann Arbor possesses. 

Mrs. Lloyd presented a very practical paper on "The Possibilities of Ann Arbor." She suggested that the city should have parks, playgrounds for children, bathing places, etc. She took occasion to remark that the saloon should be fought by providing something to take its place. A park, provided with comfortable seats, music, cafe, etc., will keep many from the saloon who go there because there is nowhere else to go. She also recommended hygienic improvements - care of back yards, sidewalks, roads and gutters, giving suggestions regarding the disposal of different kinds of refuse, etc.

Prof. Slauson spoke of the assistance that can be given both by adults and children for beautifying the city. A child should be taught, he said, to refrain from marking walls, walks or buildings of the town and much of this can be learned in the child through imitating older people.

Mr. Allmendinger, a former member of the council, cited all the improvements made by the city council during the past fifteen years, after which Mayor Copeland, who is deeply interested in the new movement, expressed his willingness to cooperate in every way possible to carry out the plans already suggested. He spoke at length regarding the question of caring for the sidewalks in the winter. He referred to the plan of the authorities to replace all dead and dying trees with new ones, offering suggestions as to how this can be accomplished, by the cooperation of the people concerned with the city council.

In regard to the planting of public places with shrubs and trees he suggested the assistance children could lend in this matter. Being especially interested in the park system he spoke of the "cat hole" and triangle north of the Michigan Central Station. He suggested that without much trouble a park could be made to extend from the triangle to the boulevard, thus bringing in the large island, situated near Lawrence's wood, which he said is one of the prettiest spots to be found anywhere. Together with the aesthetic side of this question there is a practical and business side. By improving this part of the city, the fifth ward can be brought into closer connection with the high school and University.

Prof. Davis, who occupies the chair of forestry in the University, gave a valuable talk, offering suggestions concerning the layout of trees and shrubs in the public and residence places of the city. He was followed by Prof. Spaulding, who favored the investment of money in order to procure a landscape architect. He, too, favored the park system and suggested that there was no time better than the present to accomplish it. The work, he said, should be begun in a small way with and appropriation of $50 or $60 from the council or secured by taxing the members of the association. 

Prof. Spaulding concluded the list of speakers, after which Mrs. Pettee, president of the Ladies' Union, announced the meetings adjourned until the first Wednesday in October.