Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, September 27, 1903, Page 38

[ ————p—— = —— NLY two or three yvears ago St Louls was a big, dirty, overgrown town. Today, after the fair agita- tion and the work of the Civie Improvement league, we are be- ginning to have a real civie consclousness and to aspire to be clean morally and physically.” In these words Mr. Plerre Chouteau, one of St. Louls’ most prominent eitizens, a son of one of the most notable figures in the history of the city and the entire Louisiana purchase, sums up the fmpetus given to the municipal life of the Missouri metropolis by the developments of the past two years. 8t. Louis is rapidly finding herself. A big, leisurely southern town, with all the char- acteristics of such a town-bulldings of an obsolescent architecture; streets a sea of mud or a cloud of dust, according to the season, and always littered with rubbish; no parks worth the name, hostelries of the ante-bellum type and a rallroad stition which was an architectural monstrosity—a few years have witnessed the birth of a civic consclousness and pride which are now evident to even the casual visitor, and which are giving to the eity fine, new, mod- ern buildings, clean streets, good hotels and one of the most commodious and hand- some railroad stations in the country, Bt. Louis now realizes that she is the center of the great southwe:t; that she stands leader, with all the privileges and responsibilities of leadership, of the entire Louisiana purchase, and that there is no center of population, from San Franciseo to Pittsburg, and from New Orleans to Chicago, to dispute this leadership The world i, moreover, coming to call $t. Louis understands that she must clean house If the Louisiana Purchase exposi- tion should prove a complete financial fail- ure it would still have justified its exist- ence by the impulse given to municipal pride and to the public beauty idea in St, Louls. President Francis believes that the exposition will be characterized, in far greater degree than has any other, by its attention to educational and uplift ideas, This uplift sentiment, crystalized in the Model City, will be one of the distinguish- ing features of the fair, he declared to the writer. It is hoped that this model city, as suggested and worked out by Mr. Albert Kelsey of Philadelphia, will fitly represent the ‘“improvement’ sentiment so wide- spread throughout the country and so strong in St. Louis itself The exhibit will be located near one of the main entrances to the grounds, and a number of the permanent features of the exposition, as the fire department and the hospital, will be located and operated in close connection with the Model City. The whole exhibit will be operated under the direction of the department of pocial economy, of which Mr. Howard J. Rogers {8 chief. The entire exposition manage- ment are most cordial in their interest in the exhibit During the past month the final arrange- ments were made by the World's fair authorities for this municipal improvement exhibit, or Model City, at it is popularly known. Mr. Kelsey, who is now at work upon the working drawings, reports that the site is one of the best on the grounds, being within 100 yards of the main entrance and the main axis of the exhibition, which ts 600 feet wide, and directly opposite one end of the Intramural rallroad, s principal exhibit. A town hall, municipal hospital, public bath house, railroad station, restaurant, model drug store, etc, are among the principal, The outdoor features will in- clude collections of street fixtures and units in park equipment, while negotiations are at present under way for the im- portation of a large portion of the Dresden municipal exhibit, which opened on May 24, and is the first purely municipal ex- hibit ever held. As a stimulus to municipal activity the Model City will no doubt have a wide in- fluence. Delays and other discouragements have shaped and strengthened the design, 80 that the atart already made promises better results than could have been ob- ta'ned had one of the former schemes been carried out It is to be an object lesson in municipal administration and city equip ment Many mechanical devices will be shown, and the commercial side will be exemplified The conception of development rather than finished result is the prime idea of the exposition In the phrase of the director of exhibits, the fair is to be an encyclopedia of soclety.” It will show processes rather than products, and color and motion rather than still life and finished states. It will not pay so much attention to the big machines and great array of figures as to advance in living conditions. St. Louis wants to show her- self an example of such advance The necessity for “brushing up” is, in the opinton of many prominent St. Louisans, the great benefit which the city will derive frem the fair. “I would much prefer to give outright the sum I would spend at the fair and more,’”” said F. M. Crunden, su- perintendent -of the Public library, to the writer, “but the activity and setting in order necessitated by the coming exposition has been of much greater benefit. We had to spend either money or effort. I am glad we were forced te spend the effert.” The fair agitation furnished splendid =oil for the formation, a little over a year ago, of the Civie Improvement league of St. Louis Citizens realized that something must be done, and that at once, to make the city presentable. Besides, the improve- ment ldea was in the air. A number of choice spirits, already awakened to the im- provement agitation, several of them con- nected with the American League or Civie Improvement, brought about the formation of the helpful local organization. The work of the Civie Improvement leagne has already been described more than once in the pages of The Chutauquan. It is a business organization, doing its work purely on a business basis, with a paid secretary and solicitor, and appealing successfully for support to the wealth and influence of the city. By the accompligh- ments of its comparatively short life it has taught the St. Louis business men that cleanliness and public beauty pay dividends. Tt has taken the work of improvement in all its details completely in hand. Sec thor- oughly has it made good its claim to be working for the benefit of the whole city that it is now a matter of pride with all citizens to wear its neat button of mem- bership. The personnel of its officiary and general membership shows most of the well known and influential people of the city. The World's fair officials are in full accord with its work Among (he distinet accomplishments of the Civic Improvement league during the first year of its history, which closed on March 4, 1903, arc 1. Assistance to the citzens' movement which secured for the exposition site the Carnegie library 2. Almost complete enforcement of the ordinance for wide tires of vehicles, and against billboards and overhanging signs. 2. Persuading street railroads to adopt the “U-shaped” or grooved rails on all paved streets, 4. The providing of neat, serviceable rub- bish boxes on the streets. 5. The establishment of six public play- grounds and a number of children’s gar- dens in the crowded sections. 6. A series of popular educational lec- tures on public beauty and sanitary sub- jects by such authorities as Prof. Charles Zueb'in of the University of Chicago, Mr. Albert Kelsey, superintendent of the pub- Promoting Municipal Beauty lic improvement exhibits at the fair; Mr J. Horace McFarland of Harrisburg, Pa., president of the American l.eague for Civie Improvement; these supplemented by illustrated lectures on local conditions by Mr. D. M. Haslett of 8t. Louis. 7. The appointment and maintenance of women sanitary inspectors; two appointed by the league and three appointed by the city on the recommendation of the league, to see to the proper removal of garbage, particularly in the congested districts. The chairman of the sanitary committee has taken up the matter of appointing a tene- ment house comission, a project in which the mayor is very much interested. 8. The junior civic work among the chil- dren in co-operation with the Board of Education. .| | 9. The appointment of the King's High- way commission After a year’s activity had convinced St. Louis that the improvement league was in the field to stay, and that it was doing a thorough and much needed work, the city authorities were persuaded at the sugges- tion of the league officials that the sys- tematic improvement of the King's high- way as the backbone of the city park sys- tem was a much needed reform. This re- sulted in the apointment by the mayor and municipal sembly of a commission known as the King's Highway commission, which has recently issued a full report. The pur- pose is to develop the old colonial road known as the King's Highway (whieh, in the old days, divided the domain of the ¥French king from that of the municipal- ity), to tie together all the parks of the city in one system. The road crosses all the boulevards and fine avenues of com- munication, and will unite Carondelet, Forest and O'Fallon parks and Bellefon- taine and Calvary cemeteries, making a very extensive park system. After organ- izing, the commission employed a landscape architect. The report of this architect shows a fine plan for the widening of the thoroughfare, the erection of bridges, via- ducts, statutes and rest rooms, and sys- tematic “‘side planting.”’ This report is now before the municipal assembly. A unique and significant development of the work of the league has been its en- listing the children of St. Louis in an en- thusiastic campaign to keep the city clean. The general outline of this plan was given in The Chautauquan for June. A booklet Take a Look at Your Teeth HE girl whose teeth are not pretty must take herself to the dentist, for character is to be read in the teeth, and not only character, but personal traits. The reading of character by the teeth was a task undertaken by a palmist of London, who had turned his attention toothward. “If the character can be told by the palm, it can also be read in the teeth,”” he declared. And at once by a reading of the teeth of those in the draw- ing room at the time he demonstrated the fact that it was possible to tell not only character, but tendencies and traits, cul- tivated and inherited. “Peeth that point inward,” said he, "are tecth that remind you of a fish's teeth. They are usually short, rather sharp and the inward curve is very pronounced. “Such teeth belong to the selfish woman. They denote some personal vanity, but specially great selfishness. If you know a woman whose teeth point inwardly be- ware, for she is a woman who looks out for herself first and for you afterward. Such people are usually inordinately fond of good things to eat, and they will go to great lengths to get that which they want, “The best teeth are those that are even and not too small, but rather regular and of a creamy whiteness Blue-white teeth denote weak mental powers, and teeth that are very dark usually tell of a poor state of physical health. But the cream-white teeth, of medium size, set regularly in the mouth in a nice, even row, are the best teeth of all to have. “Teeth that are separated by large, open spaces generally belong to a vicious dis position The man whose teeth are arated is cruel in his pature and the woman whose teeth are not pushed to- gether, but that grow apart so as to leave big spaces between, is the woman whose fits of temper have gotten her into trouble many a time and oft Very large teeth that show prominently and seem to come out to a point in front denote much animal spirit Women who have such teeth as these are inclined to laugh a great deal and to enjoy life When you find such a set of teeth you will find a good disposition, and the teeth, if well cared for, are a positive beauty in thé good-natured face “Teeth set in a narrow jaw indicate re- finement No matter how large they be or how irregular, they show that the owner has refined tastes and quick, natural sympathies “Very short, very stubby teeth denote obstinacy, and, where the teeth are very blunt, as though they had been sawed off, , the woman who Is blessed with such ¢ teeth can be relied upon to hold her own in an argument, whether she be right or wrong. She will neither give up nor in to anybody. ““Teeth that project are hideous, but they denote generosity. Women with projecting teeth are usually pious, generous, goocd souled and free from the affectations of womankind. Such teeth belong (o the best people in the world, those who can be re- lied upon in time of trouble as they say. ‘“There is another style of teeth, the teeth that are very uneven and crowded in the jaw. Where such teeth are of different sizes and of different colors, as is often the case, they denote an erratic disposition. ‘“Very talented people have uneven teeth, all sizes, all shapes and gathered together, apparently at haphazard by Mother Nature. The precocious girl and the pre- cocious boy will show such teeth as this, and you will not infrequently find such a row of teeth in the mouth of a man or of a woman who has done something in the world."” In these days of cosmetic dentistry the shape of the teeth may be altered, but not sufficiently to entirely obliterate the nat- ural traces. Teeth can be bleached by perfectly harm- less antiseptic chemicals and kept bleached by a good tooth powder, paste or soap. There are so many good dentifrices on the market that there is no need of having the vellowed tooth unless the cause comes from within The best dentists advise the use of pow- dered pumice in very small quantities about once a month. The tiniest sprinkle of it on the brush will act as a polisher upon the teeth, but it must not be used in any quan- tity nor frequently, or it will certainly re- move the enamel. The teeth should be ex- amined after the pumice has been used to see If it has a tendency to scratch the enamel The teeth require a certain amount of hard focd. The back teeth are powerful and they need a certain amount of exercise, Soft foods will not supply this, and the teeth will suffer unless given something hard to chew Dyspeptics should endeavor not te allow food to remain in the mouth, for it sours from the acidity of the stomuch and decays the teeth. Those who take medicines should rinse the mouth well after cating. This Is always a nice habit, but it Is one that should certainly never, by any chance, be neglected by the woman whose digestion is not at all as it ought to be “Never neglect anything that can add te your atiractions,” is the motto of the pro- fessional beauty. And it is one that the modest home woman of average good looks should take unto herself. —Brookiyn Eagle. Louis E. Van Norman of St. Louis in The Chautaugquan giving all the city ordinances relating to improvement and c'eaming of streets has been issued as “A Manual of the Junior Clvic League.”” The little people have taken a strong hold, and are even finding it an interesting part of their school course. Mr. N. J. S8tevens, one of the principals, has succeeded in having the idea worked out into a junior civies program for the public schools. The Engelman Botanical club, with the Shaw Garden to reinforce it, has joined in offering prizes and issuing help- ful and suggestive literature. This Engelman Botanical club and the Shaw Botanical Garden, founded by the late Henry Shaw, are a feature of St Louis life which makes for betterment in a peculiarly effective way, The KEungelman club was founded to demonstrate that ‘‘one of the first duties of every citizen of a large city ought to consist in counteracting the city influence, and to aid in bringing as much as can be brought of the fields and woods into the city.” The gardens themselves are among the finest in the country, and Dr. Trelease, the dircctor, has made many contributions to landscape and formal gardening. But it is the public spirit of the association which is most notable. Iectures are given weekly on nature study and public art, and prizes offered to adults and children to stimulate interest in public beauty. The active workers of the league are now devoting their attention to the public play- ground enterprise, originally undeitaken in co-operation with the Vacation Playgrounds sociation, and the children’s gardens. The owners of vacant lots have generally been quite willing to let the league workers clean up their idle property and make it into breathing and play spots for the chil- dren of the slum districts. Three playgrounds have already been opened, with swings, benches and other ap- paratus, and three more are planned for the coming year. Last season about $1,:00 were spent on these grounds and an equal amount was donated to the playground committee, under the chairmanship of Dwight F. Davis, in material and labor. The average attendance was £00 a day. Shower baths, which proved very popu'ar, were established in connection, and, for next season, circulating libraries are planned. Miniature library buildings will be erected, and the Engelman Botanical club has agreed to plant vines and trees about these structures. The labor unions of the city also have promised co-operation. The gardens have been opened principally under the direction of the sanitary com- mittee of the league, with the purpose of demonstrating to the people of the locality the possibilities of making their own homes more attractive, and also as recreation spots for the children. Much interest is manifested by the pedple themselves. The writer saw three women and a number of children busily engaged in raking and sweeping a much littered lot, the women having left their families for a whole day out of pure goodwill to help the neigh- borhood. Besides the projects already mentioned, the league is actively interested at present in the agitation to secure the depression of the tracks of the Wabash and Rock Island railroads, as they enter the city from the west, g0 that the ‘‘concession tract” of the fair, which is a beautiful section naturally, will not be spoiled for the visitors, The signs of better things are evident everywhere in St. Louis. For nearly a cen=- tury it was a straggling town, with neo principal street. Now it is developing a real thoroughfare in Olive street. Many beauti- ful residences are rising in the park rec- tions, and, with their natural settings, Van- deventer Place, Westmoreland Place, Hor- ton Terrace and Porttand Place are con- spicuous for their appropriate and elegant appearance. All over the city streets are being improved Right by the side of the venerable court house, from the steps of which the slave girl of “The Crisis” was sold, new street paving and modern office buildings are showing how the city has awakened. In anticipation of the coming of the visitors next year the shop fronts of the business streets are being remodeled and taking on a permanent modern character. There is noticeable a more metropolitan air, with the well-dressed people on the business streets, and the Oklahoma farmer, the “plantation nigger”’ and the “government mule” no longer form the predominating features of the municipal landscape Already the town seems to be interested in making things better. The policemen are really zealous in aiding the campaign of the improvement league; the erman press is swinging the great Teutonic contingent in favor of betterment; even the brewers are spending lavishdy to better living condi- tions The courageous circuit attorney keeps us his fusillade against the “boodler.” 8t. Louis now only needs a municipal art soclety like those which have rendered such splendid service in New York, Chicago and Baltimore. Before many years, under the influence of the impetus given by the present awaken- ing, St. Louis may find itseif a very creditable copy of the medel city which it will show to the worid next year, and other Cities can do the same.