New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-12

Charing Cross there are at least seven millions
OF men, women and children. But when one
travels for hours across the town from one
swarming hive Of population TO another and
sees everywhere the ebb and flow of ceaseless
activity, he is appalled, by the vastness of Lon
don. and thinks Of il as system Of worlds,
crossing orbits and revolving one about another
and forming something like human universe.
The displays of riders and equipages in Hyde
Park morning and afternoon are commonly
described as the most brilliant spectacle in
London. What is even more impressive is the
daily movement OF life and rattle In the streets
That is the marvel Of the modern world
Unlike the English country. London is not fin
ished Old as are the traditions and historical
associations. it is a new and very recent London
that the visitor sees am not referring to 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 multiplied population.
London is now one OF the best drained cities in
Europe, but forty years ago there were few under
ground sewers. and drainage bitches empticd pol
luton directly into the Thames all along its banks
The pavements to-day excite the admiration of
every American visitor, and they are not only
kept in perfect repair. but they are cleaned every
day with thoroughness and painstakng 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
ines for traffic; but in single generation sloo-
600. 900 has been expended in the opening OF new
thoroughfares. many Of which nave been cut
through business sections The sanitary and po-
lice arrangements and the educational system
have been revolutionized during the same period
Within the last ten years disused cemeteries have
been converted into public breathingplaces, and
the park area has been more than doubled All
the rapid transit facilities. incomplete as they
are, are of recent Introduction. Indeed, the
strangest anomaly about the city that impresscs
an American visitor Is It's essentially modern and
progressive character. He comes up To- London
expecting to revel in glimpses of antiquity. and
he finds himself preoccupied with practical
evidences Of the modern art Of municipal govern
ment and enlightened progress in solving the com
pick problem of ministering to the comfort and
necessities Of an immense urban population.
was talking with an advanced Liberal the
other night about the transformation OF admins
trative functions in large English cities. and the
growing evidence Of collectivism state socialism
shown in successful experiments in municipal
ownership Of street railways. water plant and gas
works Yes" he said. you Americans have
much to learn from us in that field just We
have many good ideas to adopt from some OF our
progressive colonies Ike New-Zealand and Aus
tralia English Radicals look upon Americans as
the most old-fashioned conservatives In the
world You have barely begun to take up the
great social problems Of the age" When Lord
Salisbury Mr.. Chamberlainand Sir William iiar-
court speaking on the same day. devote large
part Of their thought t. the urgent requirements
OF the working people In England. these causic
comments Of my Radical friend do not seem ur-
reasonable Collectivism undoubtedly has large
place already in the practical administration OF
English municipal government. The conditions OF
urban life in London. Birmingham Manchestef'
Liverpool and Glasgow have rendered necessary
not only increased efficiency In all departments
Of municipal service. but also the introduction
OF new principles ideas and functions. LONDON IS
working out without observation som" or the
greatest social questions Of the future Tor
swarming population that refuses to remain sat
sfied with old conditions.
English conservatism, however. IS regulating
all these changes in administrative method.
Strongly as the people are Influenced by the home
like and gentle environment Of their beautiful
country, with its broad prospects. verdant mead
OWE and noble trees. they are also profoundly
affected by attachment to their religion and its
don number nearly thousand. Seldom IL a visit
or far removed from at least one OF them. and he
cannot remain here long without acknowledging
the potency OF the influence eterted by the
churches. one Of my many surprises in London
was a casual visit to Old Bow Church at noon on
a weekday, when expected 10 find II empty; but
there was a crowded congrel alton listening 10
practical sermon from an el' uent preacher and
ioininp in a hearty hymn. outside was the whrl
and rumble Of London at It's busies, hour and in
one Of the noisest centres but within was an old
fashioned evangestic service conducted with
feryor | have yet TO enter English church
on Sunday that was not thronged with worship
pers: nor have ever seen great city that was
more orderly and quiet on Sundays than this
great. progressive. conservative London
l. " +.
THE TURKISH MINISTER CHS on TIE MAI