Municipal and Civic Publications See also Department of News and Ideas for Commercial and Civic Organizations 1919 City Problems. Conference of Mayors, William P. Capes, The Health Officer. FRANK OVERTON, M. D., Sanitary Supervisor, New York State Department of Health, and WILLARD J. DENNO, M. D., formerly Secretary, New York State Department of Health. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia. 1919. 512 pp., illustrated with original diagrams and charts. Secretary, Albany, N. Y. 1919. 138 pp. Discussion of the traction problem was the outstanding feature at the 10th anniversary Conference of Mayors and Other City Officials of New York State, held at Schenectady, June 10-12, 1919. Lectures on this subject included: "Solving the Traction Problem by Increasing the Revenues of the Street Railway Companies," by Dr. Thomas Conway, Jr.; "Solving the Traction Problem by a Service-at-Cost Plan," by Harlow C. Clark; Co-operative Effort in Solving the Traction Problem modern - Management and Men," by John J. Kerr Caskie; and "The Problem From the Public Point of View," by Delos F. Wilcox, Ph. D. Other special topics treated at the convention were municipal health, the milk problem and municipal finance. The Zone Plan. This little volume presents in compact form the interesting story of the St. Louis zoning ordinance, how it was developed, how the public support was obtained, the nature and application of the restrictions, and supporting data in the form of colored maps, charts, photographs, and expert testimony on the benefits and the constitutionality of zoning. For the city planner or city official who must meet the problem of regulating the height, use and area of buildings, this summary of St. Louis's procedure will be most valuable. Enclosed as a supplement are the St. Louis zone ordinance, No. 30199, and amendments to August 13, 1919. Organized Efforts for the Improvement of Methods of Administration in the United States. With an introduc GUSTAVUS A. WEBER. This volume aims primarily to describe those agencies that have been established in recent years for making scientific studies of problems of organization and administration, in other words, for the improvement of the technique of government. It has been limited to these special organizations, altho limited reference is made to other similiar agencies which operate in a broad field. Altho intended primarily for reference, it contains a great deal of information that should be of service to public officials and agencies like Bureaus of Municipal Research in their relations with each other and with those bodies that are aiming to improve the character of state and federal administration. The first part deals with agencies for research-federal, state, municipal and county. In this section four chapters are devoted to the work of official and unofficial bodies for the investigation of particular cities and countics. The second part deals with state organs of administrative control; and the third and last, with legislative reference and bill drafting agencies. An exhaustive index of nearly 20 pages adds greatly to the value of this book as a reference work. A comprehensive treatise of the work of the health officer, containing information which is necessary in his various activities. It describes his relation to boards of health, physicians, social agencies and the public, gives an idea of the necessary qualifications and methods of work, and the various diseases and conditions which he must combat. This will undoubtedly prove а very valuable publication for health officers, students, public health nurses, members of boards of health, special workers and all others interested in the science of public health. New Schools for Old: The Regeneration of the Porter School. EVELYN DEwey. E. P. Dutton & Company, New York. 1919. Second Edition. xiv + 337 pp. This story of the transformation of a small, poorly equipped rural school in Missouri into the active center of an awakened community should be a constant source of inspiration and help to community organizers. How the live teacher of the school, Mrs. Marie Harvey, first interested the community in improving the school building, then closely related all the work of the school to the life of the community, how she applied scientific methods to the farm and household work of her own home, thus demonstrating the value of such methods to her neighbors, and how she gradually enlisted the cooperation of the entire community in the betterment of their economic and social life, have been ably told by the author. Pauper Burials and the Interment of the Dead in Large Cities. FREDERICK L. HOFFMAN, LL. D. Published by the Prudential Insurance Company, Newark, N. J. 1919. 123 pp. This book emphasizes the need for a more careful consideration of the problem of pauper burials on the part of every municipality. The mass of material which the author has collected on this important subject is noteworthy for the interesting manner and kindly, humane spirit in which it is presented. Besides many descriptive accounts and statistics of burials and funerals in this country, a few admirable funeral and burial practices of foreign cities are described, and a number of practical suggestions for the reform of our present customs are made. The Billboard Nuisance. A group of arguments against billboards and an appeal to the Massachusetts State Legislature to take action. 4 pp. (Issued, 1919, by Edward T. Hartman of the Massachusetts Civic League, 3 Joy Street, Boston, Mass.) The PURO LIBERTY FOUNTAIN E say "Pure" advisedly-because the Puro Liberty drinking fountain The trouble with most of the so called "sanitary fountains" today lies in the THE PURO LIBERTY FOUNTAIN is doubly safe-because it has a sloping stream and a mouth guard. It is Equip your public buildings and parks with Puro Liberty Fountains. Puro Sanitary Drinking Fountain Company HAYDENVILLE, MASS., U. S. A. Proposed Building Zones for Newark. It This pamphlet, issued September 16, 1919, is a tentative report of the Commission on Building Districts and Restrictions, in Newark, N. J. discusses the purpose of zoning, New York's experience, the functions of use, height and area districts, analyzing the relative merits of flat height limits as compared to limits based street widths, the sunshine factor, the relation of area districts to congestion, the non-conforming buildings and their regulation, the proposed Board of Appeals and the legality of zoning as an exercise of the police power. An interesting feature on of the ordinanc eis the inclusion for the first time in the United States of a provision limiting the number of families per acre. 44 Write to Herbert F. Swan, Consultant, pages. or Russell B. Rankin, Secretary of the Commission on Building Districts and Restrictions, Newark, N. J. The Assessment of Real Estate. An article of the above title by Hon. Lawson Purdy, published as a supplement to the National Municipal Review for September, 1919, describes briefly the form of administration, methods of work and equipment found by the author's long experience as a tax administrator to be best adapted to the task of assessing real estate. The value of tax maps and land value maps, field books and card indexes is demonstrated, and the problems of evaluating real cstate and appraising buildings and other improvements in a fair and satisfactory manner receive careful consideration. 17 pp. (Apply to National Municipal League, North American Building, Philadelphia, Pa.) Eighth New York State Tax Conference. Addresses and proceedings of the conference, held at Albany, N. Y., on January 22-24, 1919. Among the addresses delivered at the conference were several having special significance for municipal officials, namely: "Our Fiscal Difficulties and the Way Out," by Edwin R. A. Seligman; "The Local Governments," by Mark Graves; and "Costs and Needs of the Government of New York City," by Charles L. Craig, Comptroller. 1919. 381 pp. (Apply to Charles J. Tobin, Secretary-Treasurer, New York State Tax Association, 95 State Street, Albany, N. Y.) Census of Telegraphs and Municipal Electric Fire-Alarm and Police-Patrol Signaling System for 1917. This census contains statistics and explanatory text on land telegraph, ocean cable telegraph and wireless telegraph systems, and on the number, location and types of municipal electric firealarm and police-patrol signaling systems in use in the United States in the year 1917. Issued 1919. 61 pp. (Apply to Sam L. Rogers, Director. Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce.) How to Fight Venereal Diseases in Your City. A program of medical, educational and law enforcement measures; a broad view, and a definite, practical plan of work. Quarto, 24 pp. September, 1919. (Issued by the United States Public Health Service, Washington, D. C.) Progress of the Memorial Building Move ment. Considerably over 200 cities in the United States have definite memorial building projects under way, and in addition 14 states are planning memorial buildings, and two national projects are being financed. A descriptive list of these projects is published in Bulletin No. 7, issued by the Bureau of Memorial Buildings, War Camp Community Service, 124 East 28th Street, New York. 1919. 30 pp. Illustrated. Community Halls. The text of an act of the Ontario Legislature providing for government aid to rural communities for the purpose of erecting community halls and establishing certain regulations concerning their construction, also a number of interesting architect's designs of both exteriors and interiors, are included in a 16-page pamphlet issued August, 1919, by the Department of Agriculture, Toronto, Ont. (Apply to H. Boylen, Secretary to the Department.) Town and City Beautification Depicted on Lantern Slides. A list of the lending collection of lantern slides on town and city beautification which has been prepared by Indiana University, with descriptive notes, suggestions for campaigns for city beautification, and a short bibliography, are included in a bulletin of the Extension Division of the University under the title, "Town and City Beautification." 1919. 16 pp. (Apply to Exten sion Division, Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.) Social Engineering in Cincinnati. The pleasing make-up and well-chosen illustrations of this little pamphlet containing the annual report of the Council of Social Agencies of Cincinnati cause the reader to approach its pages with more than usual relish. Standards of living, "the new nomenclature for dependency and charity,' are discussed in the opening chapter, followed by chapters on health, citizenship (the new term for "delinquency "), and Cincinnati's special problem of negro civic welfare. The coordinating machinery which unites all the social agencies of the city is dealt with in the final chapter, and a financial statement for the year 1918 is appended. 1919. 67 pp. (Apply to the Council of Social Agencies, Cincinnati, Ohio.) Commission Government. This six-page folder, the first of a series of bulletins on the various types of city government to be presented by the Bureau of Municipal Research of Toronto, sets forth briefly and simply the history and growth of commission government, what commission government is, and its advantages and limitations. (Issued September, 1919, by the Bureau of Municipal Research, 813-820 Bank of Hamilton Building, Toronto, Ont.) A Suggested Program for Americanization. This pamphlet, prepared by the General Federation of Women's Clubs, contains an opening statement by Mary S. Gibson, Chairman of Americanization Committee, suggested outlines of study for women's clubs and other organizations on problems of immigration and Americanization in industry, suggested outlines for speakers on Americanization, and a short bibliography of source material. 1919. 36 pp. (Reprinted by permission of the G. F. W. C. and presented by the California Commission of Immigration and Housing, 525 Market Street, San Francisco, Calif.) CLOW "Gasteam" Radiators gives heat when and where desired at a fraction of the cost. No coal, ashes, dirt or labor. Each "Gasteam" Radiator is a separate heating unit or may be used as a part of steam or water plant or installed throughout as a complete system without a boiler. Radiators can be attached quickly, without alterations. Only a gas connection necessary. Neat in appearance and absolutely odorless. Gas flow automatically controlled. Insist upon genuine CLOW "Gasteam" Radiators-they are fully guaranteed to give complete satisfaction. Get a catalogue, prices and estimate from our nearest dealer. "Gasteam" Radiators can be installed by gas companies and plumbers everywhere-if not, write us. Marchant "WOULDN'T RUN AN OFFICE WITHOUT ONE" So says one of our leading county officials in Illinois. A machine such as the MARCHANT CALCULATOR that accomplishes the work of two or three good deputies and proves the work for you as you go along, is surely worth investigating. City and County officials are equipping ENGINEERING PROBLEMS Methods, Materials and Appliances News for Boards of Public Works, Engineers, Contractors, Purrchasing Agents, and Others Interested in the Economical Construction and Efficient Operation of Public Improvement Undertakings Testing the Safety of a Gasoline Tank Four tests were arranged recently in Ardmore, Okla., to prove the safety of Bowser gasoline tanks in buildings and populous districts. An electric spark plug was installed in the vent pipe of the tank, and while the tank was being filled with gasoline a steady spark was kept going in the vent pipe. All fumes from the pipe had to pass over this spark, but there was no explosion. In the second test the suction pipe on the tank was filled with gasoline and the exposed gasoline on the open end of the pipe was set on fire. However, the fire did not reach the storage tank. In the third test, burning gasoline was poured into the filling pipe, but the fire did not lead down the pipe into the tank. In the fourth and last test 50 gallons of gasoline were put into the tank, then wood, saturated with kerosene, was piled high about the tank, and the fuel was ignited, with the result that the gasoline was soon brought to the boiling point. The vapor escaped both from the vent and from the suction pipes, but in spite of this there was no ignition or explosion of the gasoline in the tank. It is claimed that Bowser tanks are the only ones that will stand such severe tests as those described above. This tank is manufactured by S. F. Bowser & Company, Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind. Released from Service The Baltimore Enamel & Novelty Company, Baltimore, Md., states that on October 1 its factory properties were released from government service. During practically the entire period of the war the Government used the whole of the factory of this company for vital war work because of its complete and modern equipment. Now that the factory has been released by the Government this company will return to the manufacture of porcelain enameled iron products, particularly street signs of high grade enamel, which have been long famous for their wearing qualities. Strothman Becomes Manager of the Mr. L. E. Strothman, formerly Manager of the Steam Turbine and Pumping Engine Departments of the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, has recently become Vice-President and General Manager of the Richardson-Phenix Company. These wellknown lubrication engineers have established an enviable reputation in the waterworks and power field. Their services are available anywhere in solving problems relating to scientific lubrication. BOILING GASOLINE TO PROVE THE SAFETY OF A BOWSER STORAGE TANK |