Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 294, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1918 — Home Town Helps [ARTICLE]

Home Town Helps

Illinois Towns Are Taking Hold of ths Community Movement With Much.. ■' Enthusiasm. ;f <j-\' ;• —r—- ■ ; * Illinois is Inaugurating the community movement with enthusiasm, and many cities, townships and neighborhoods are adopting the idea. Prof. R. E. Hieronymus, community director of the University of Illinois, hr reviewing the progress of the movement, said> “Community improvement and the development of the community spirit are problems |o many municipal governments of America. The answer can come only from the community - itself and not from outsiders. “How many churches a town of 400 may have; the ending of long-drawn-out school fights, and making communities attractive enough for young people to remain, are samples of the work that confronts all municipalities from the smallest to the largest. “There are many ramifications of the community movement, j For* Instance, one town has launched a community center which gives the people a swimming pool and gymnasium, among other attractions. Another Is planning a $150,000 community building. A new form of community activity will commence shortly In four cities, when ten persons from each city will unite in making Thtercommunity visitations’ to each other city. “A meeting will be called and the visitors will explain how their city handles health, recreation, amusement, and other community subjects, and tell of the success or failure of all projects along such lines. ’ • "Methods of other cities will be Investigated and ideas secured which may be adopted by neighboring places. There is a vast field for the community work and all progressive cities will take up the movement in one or more phases.’’