The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-17

not referring 10 the architecture and main
thoroughfares. but TO the transformations
of administration and municipal service
which have been necessary in order to an
swer the requirements OF a multiplied popu-
lation. London is now one of the best
drained cities in Europe. but forty years
ago there were few underground sewers,
and drainage bitches emptied pollution di-
rectly into the Thames all along its banks.
The payements to-day excite the admiration
of every American visitor; and they are not
cleaned every day with thoroughness and
painstaking care. But forty years ago there
was not a well-paved thoroughfare. Then
there was tangle of narrow streets in the
busiest quarters without outlets or inletS
for traffic; but in single generation
800 900. 600 has been expended In the opening
of new thoroughfares many OF which have
been cut through business sections. The
sanitary and police arrangements and the
educational system have been revolutionized
during the same period. Within the last
ten years disused cemeteries have been con-
verted into public breathing places, and the
park area has been more than doubled. All
the rapid transit facilities incomplete as
they are are of recent introduction In
deed. the strangest anomaly about the city
that impresses an American visitor Is It's
essentially modern and progressive char
acter. He comes up 10 London expecting TO
revel in glimpses of antiquity, and he finds
himself at once preoccupled with practlca,
government and enlightened progress in
solving the complex problem of ministering
to the comfort ana ntCesSitieS Oh al hi
mense urban population.
/ was talking with an advanced Liberal
the other night about the transformation
of administrative functions in large Eng
lish cities, and the, growing evidence of
collectivism or state socialism shown In
successful experiments in municipal owner
ship of street railways, water plants and
gas works. Yes he said, you Americans
have much to learn from Us in that field,
just as We have many good Ideas 10 adopt
from some of our progressive colonies like
nd
Gals look upon. Americans as the most
old-fashioned conservatives in the world.
great oa social 0a proSems of the age When
Lord Salisbury MIR Chamberlain and Sir
William Harcourt, speaking on the same
day. devote large part of their thought
TO the urgent requirements of the working
people Of England, these caustic comments
of my Radical friend do not seem unrea-
large place already in the practical adj
ministration of English municipal govern
ment. The conditions OF urban lie In Lon,
a0d Srmingha Marshes verp %o
only increased efficiency in all departments
of new municipal, service. but also the in
frodgetlon OF new PRINCIPLES ideas ana
observation some Of the greatest social
questions of the future for swarming
population that refuses to remain satisfied
English conservatism however. is regu-
lating all these changes in administrative
method. Strongly as the people are infiu-
enced by the homelike and gentle environ
ment of their beautiful country, with its
broad prospects. verdant meadows and no.
BILE trees, they are also profoundly affected
by attachment to their religion and it's
stately ceremonials. The spires of Greater
London number nearly thousand. Seldom
is a visitor far removed from at least one
of them, and he cannot remain here long
without acknowledging the potency of the
influence exerted by the churches. One of
my many surprises in London was casual
visit to Old Bow Church at noon a
week day. when expected to find it
ton listening TO a practical sermon from
an eloquent preacher and joining in a hearty
hymn. Outside was the whirl and rumble
of London at it's busiest hour. and in one
of the noisiest centers. but within was an
old-fashioned evangelistic service conducted
with fervor. j have yet to enter an En-
glish church Sunday that not
thronged with worshipers; nor have i ever
and quiet on Sundays than this great,
progressive, Conservative London.