New-York tribune., 1903-04-16
TO BUILD IDEAL CITY.
Budgett Meakin Describes an Inter-
esting English Scheme.

The idea of the American Institute of Social
Service in sending a social economist to Europe
on a mission for America has already borne frult
DR. w H. Toman who with his associates. will
start abroad early in May, will study social and
industrial conditions of European cities. with the
broad idea of introducing in America whatever
he finds TO be practical solution of any industrial
problem.
This same idea has been taken up by the Shaftes-
bury Industrial Betterment Society of London
This is an association that has been doing good
by deepening popular interest in the condltlons
under which the working classes live ana laDor
The advisory council of this society, when IN
cIudes Sir George Williams. Canon ScouHoiland
Sir j Dickson Poynder and George Cadbury. has
sent Budget Meakin to America. IL IS MS lued
collect the necessary material looking toward
the organization in England of an institute similar
to the American Institute of Social Service Mr.
Meakn will travel through this country. studying
those conditions in America that Dr. Tolman
will study in Europe While here Mr.. Meakin will
tell to Industrial workers something of social con-
ditions in England Last night. in the Assembly
Hall of the United Charities Building, he talked
of the housing question in Great Britain.
Contrasting the methods of tenement regulation
in London and New-YorI Mr.. Meakin paid tribute
to the tenement house system of inspection in this
city. He sad
I'm London the sanitary inspector and medical
officer take the place of the tenement house in
spector in New-Yorl These two officials have only
the power to report to the bench to certain pun
lie bodies. Then their power ceases. When IL Is
remembered how many men returned TO our pub
lie bodies or occupying seats on the bench are IN
terested in the maintenance of slums, it is won
der how the sanitary inspector and medical officer
are able to accomplish what they do
Mr.. Meakn closed his address with a description
of a proposed scheme. which IS at present be-
fore the British Government and to the further
ance of which 100000 has already been pledged.
The city is to combine many of the ideal condi-
tions illustrated i'll the village of Bournvie. near
Birmingham, England, a village built by George
Cadbury, of fame, and given by him to the
nation under deed of trust. The centre of this
garden city is to be public park, roughly clrcIed
by a few public buildings, including a theatre.
These buildings to be in turn surrounded by
an arcade of stores with walls of glass, perhaps.
Then will come rounds Of high class homes, and
then other rings of lower priced houses for the
poorer classes The factories and warehouses are
to be relegated to the outer rings. The whole is
to nestle in an expanse Of open country the prop
erty of the community in perpetuity Not more
than one-ifteenth of the entire area OF this city
is ever to be occupied by workshops factories or
warehouses. Each house will stand III a garden
three times its size. In addition, there shaII be
wide roads, planted with trees. One-tenth or the
area shall likewise be public open spaces, enabling
bits of fine scenery or ancient growths to be pre-
served
Recreation grounds and Fairgrounds for chill
dren are to be within five minutes walk OF each
house. Under these conditions, with free cars, II
is estimated that the rents will pay 4 per cent on
the cost of each house. The outlay is to be grad
ually repaid by the inhabitants.