Letter from J. Horace McFarland to Members of the American Civic Association, 1908 Jul 8.

Creator

J. Horace McFarland

Creator

J. Horace McFarland

Recipient

Members of the American Civic Association

Transcription

J. HORACE MCFARLAND, President, Harrisburg, Pa.
CLINTON ROGERS WOODRUFF. First Vice-President and Secretary, Philadelphia
WILLIAM B. HOWLAND. Treasurer, New York
ROBERT C. OGDEN, Chairman Advisory-Committee, New York

Vice-Presidents: GEORGE B. LEIGHTON. Monadnock, N. H.
ROBERT WATCHORN, New York
L. E. HOLDEN, Cleveland.
FIELDING J. STILSON, Los Angeles

American Cibic Association
FOR A BETTER AND MORE BEAUTIFUL AMERICA

Department Vice-Presidents
Arts and Crafts MRS. M. F. Johnston. Richmond, Ind.
Children's Gardens. MISS MARY MARSHALL BUTLER, Yonkers N.Y
City Making FREDERICK L. FORD. Hartford, Conn.
Factory Betterment GEORGE OTIS DRAPER. Hopedale. Mass
Libraries MISS MARY E. AHERN, Chicago
Outdoor Art WARREN H. MANNING. Boston
Parks and Reservations HENRY A. BARKER. Providence
Press R. B. Watrous. Milwaukee

Department Vice-Presidents
Public Nuisances HARLAN F. KELSEY, Salem. Mass
Public Recreation Mrs. GEORGE F. FRENCH. Portland, Me.
Railroad Improvements MRS.A. E.MCCREA, Chicago
Rural Improvements D.WARD KING, Maltland, Mo
School Extension O.J.KERNSocial Settlement GRAHAM ROMEYN TAYLOR, Chicago
Women's League MRS. AGNES MCGIFFERT POUND. Ashtabula, O

GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
NORTH AMERICAN BUILDING
PHILADELPHIA

July 8, 1908.

To the Members of the American Civic Association :

It is only right that you should be advised of the high estimation in which the associates of President Roosevelt in the planning and management of the recent memorable White House Conference hold our cooperation, endorsement and support. "There can be no doubt of the effectiveness of the American Civic Association," writes Thomas R. Shipp, for Mr. Pinchot.
The letters and resolutions received by the President and the Governors, giving spontaneous and hearty support to the great undertaking, were most significant and important, and showed in a high degree, the intelligent interest of those who are cooperating to make the Association stand for what is highest and best in American civic life.
As a memento of the Conference, so epoch-making in its work, so high in its plane, we are sending you a pamphlet containing the great Declaration there unanimously adopted. The influence of the American Civic Association is seen in the sentence printed in boldface type on page 6. It is significant of that influence to mention that the address on the Conservation of Natural Scenery (also included in the pamphlet) prepared at the special request of the program committee was the only address from any of the invited societies actually delivered to the Conference.
We are now asked by Mr. Pinchot, Chairman of the newly-created "National Conservation Commission," to assist it by giving detailed and specific information in our great field. Nearly half the Governors present at the Conference have accepted membership in the American Civic Association. "I feel greatly interested in the work your Association is doing," writes Governor Ansel, of South Carolina. "I shall assist in every possible way," says Governor Cutler, of Utah.
It is obvious that the Association must move forward into the important position opened up by the work of the White House Conference,09918 which work no other organization is so well fitted to undertake and maintain. We must enlarge and increase our support now as never before. Sustained entirely upon the democratic support of the many, and not by the large contribution of the few, we of necessity must depend upon our membership to extend the basis of our support.
To "make good" in the line of the White House Conference, we must continue our efforts for Niagara until a treaty with Canada is negotiated and ratified. We must make so strong the desire of the country for the White Mountain and Appalachian forest preservation legislation that Speaker Cannon's resistance will no longer avail. We must extend our crusade against billboard ugliness and against the waste of soft-coal smoke. We must promote proper general control of street trees in cities, and work for more playgrounds and parks. We must insist upon the removal of overhead wires, the change to sightliness in city lighting, the erection of public comfort stations. We are committed to intelligent city planning, and the grouping of public buildings-to the city beautiful in its widest significance. We need to urge rural improvement in all its phases, and especially in the matter of good roads.
As never before, we are called upon daily for help to make conditions better in all parts of America. Canada and Mexico and Cuba are asking our assistance-there are no boundary lines for improvement work.
I appeal, therefore, to every loyal American Civic Association member to help still further in this great movement. For yourself, increase the grade of your membership, if possible-become a Councilor at $5, or a Sustaining Member at $10, or a Life Member at $50. Send us one new member, and names of those we can invite. If our members so will, we can have a thousand new members before August I.
In preparation for our 1908 Annual Meeting-to take place at Pittsburgh, November 17 to 19-we are arranging a notable program. We want a wider circle to feel its influence.
While you are away upon vacation this summer, keep eyes open toward things to be done and the means to do. We want to be useful to you; we want you to be useful to All America.

Yours truly,
[ILLEGIBLE]

President