The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-14

Warren H. Manning, landscape arch
itect, of Boston, talked for an hour
very entertainingly yesterday after
noon in the Commercial club to an au
dience composed of women and men,
the latter largely Commercial club
members.
In the absence of DR.. Sch1Hmann,
who was to have presided, T. F. Smith,
president Of the club, opened the meet
ing and introduced first Mrs. Condo
Hamlin, chairman of the joint commit
tee from the Civic league and the Com
| mercial club, who outlined briefly the
| programmes to be given each month
during the winter by the two organ
iZationS.
Mr.. Manning spoke of the possibili-
ties in the way of landscape beautify-
ing, possessed by the Twin Cities and
their environment, and drew an allur-
ing picture, illustrated by maps and
charts, of what this section Of the
country may become if the people take
hold of the matter. He showed views
of Boston, parts of Cleveland and the
proposed plan for embellishing and
identifying Harrisburg. The audience
was most interested in the proposed
plan for the approaches to the new
capitol, which were thrown upon the
screen and explained by the speaker.
1t is evident that Mr.. Manning has
thoroughly studied st. Paul and this
region.
Would Have Two Approaches.
The plans approved by Mr.. Gilbert,
architect of the capitol, and indorsed
by Mr.. Manning, call for two broad
approaches to the building, the crea-
ton of which would entail the cutting
through of city streets in two direc
lions. The first plan is for the clear
ing away of the immediate surround
ings of the capitol and making a plaza
or square directly in front with
an approach going down Cedar
street to the court house. This, if car
ried through, would make a way to and
an excellent view of the building from
the business portion of the city. The
other plan Is more ambitious and could
only be carried through by a large eX-
penditure of money On the part of the
city. The proposed vista and roadway
would lead directly from the broad
front steps Of the capitol straight
across Wabasha street, over Park
place to Smith avenue, crossing the
bridge, and ending on the bluffs of the
West side overlooking the city. At
this point Mr.. Manning suggested hav-
ing ldll IIlOHuiHGut OI some KIM
placed, as the view from that point
leading up the broad and boulevarded
road would make picture of surpass-
ing beauty. The manner in which this
| could be done was shown by means Of
colored maps in which the audience
took lively interest
Advocates General Park System.
Mr.. Manning told about the perfect
| park system obtaining in Boston, all
connected with broad and boulevarded
drives, the land having been reserved
and especially cared for by a park
commission. He advocated such a sys-
! tenn for the land and lakes surrounding
| the two cities of st. Paul and Mime
| apolis, and including White Bear, Bald
| Eagle, Minnetonka and the chain of
small lakes held by the water com
| pany. Partly sketched plans were
| thrown upon the screen which illus
| trated the possibilities in the way of a
| park system ready to hand in this re-
| gion. Mr.. Manning showed and ex-
planned what he regards as a good
| plan of Mr. Nussbaumber, Of Como for
the further identifying of the park, the
plan showing proposed driveways from
several points. In speaking of the park
system of this city, the speaker took
| occasion to compliment ST. Paul on the
| grandeur of the vieI! from Indian
| Mounds park on the bluff in the words
| quoted above. s9l
| Mr.. Manning said he hoped the peo-
| pie Of this city would awaken to a
sense Of their opportunities before it
| was too late and reserve at least por-
lions Of the river bank for park pur-
| poses.
| At the conclusion of the address a
discussion ensued, in which DR.. S. G..
| Smith said that he was much interest
| ed in what Mr. Manning had told the
audience, but he doubted very much
whether anything ever would be done
until, perhaps our grandchildren's day.
! His talk was; pessimistic in tone, but
he said he judged merely from past
experience in st. Paul and the diff
| Guilty encountered in attempting to
| rouse the civic pride of the citizens.
He hoped that some time the inhab-
| itants of the SANITY City would come
| to realize that it is important to have
beautiful city in which to live, as
we'll as an advantageous place in which
| to carry on business.