Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1908-11-22
THE CITY BEAUTIFUL"
ADVOCATED BY DR.. FOSS
THE ARTISTIC FUTURE OF PHoE-
NIX DISCUSSED.
The President of the Board of Trade
Tells How 1t May Be Made Gem
Among Cities.

one of the answering believers in
a Greater Phoenix is DR.. John W.
Foss, president of the board of trade.
In an interview of unusual interest DIR.
Foss sounded a timely warning to all
those who have the future of the city
at heart and are not using present
conditions for private gain.
There are many in this city who
care nothing at all for the develop
ment of Phoenix into a city beautiful;
into a municipality of which their
children and children's children will
be proud" soud DR.. Foss. To them
the development of the city is not a
matter of pride but a means Of profit.
On the fact that this class is not in the
ma jority the future of Phoenix rests.
From now on we are going TO build
larger and more magnificent buildings,
some of them public and others for
business or residence purposes. Inc
private residences will be larger and
better and cost more money. AT this
stage in the history Of this city, as in
the history of every other city, it is
within our power TO design a beauti
full city that will reflect in other gen
erations the highest types of archi-
lecture and art of the present day.
On the other hand we may let the
commercial spirit rule us and make us
sordid: we may place dollars and
cents above beauty and harmony and
bequeath a city of ugly buildings and
unsightly proportions to those who
will come after Us.
When l was in Washington a COM
mission was being appointed to con-
denim from eight to twelve million dol
lars worth of property that the city
might be made more beautiful.
In Berlin when a man desires to
build he first submits his designs to a
committee of artists and architects.
If the design is approved the location
is next considered. The building must
harmonic with those about it and if
it is a sufficiently imposing structure
it must have space about it to show
up to the best advantage. An artist
makes a drawing of the building with
those adjoining it and this is passed
upon by the committee. Even in the
erection of small houses is this scheme
carried out. The result is a city of
fine proportions and beautiful build
ings.
We have that opportunity in Phoe-
nix. There is but a slight difference
in cost between a slovenly and an ar
tistic dwelling When buildings are
designed they should be passed upon
by a man of breadth and experience
and an architect of reputation. The
services of such a man could probably
be required without cost or at least
at small expense to the city. Now is
the time 20 do il.
Did you ever think what it would
mean to this city if ten years ago ev-
cry householder in the city had plant
ed in, his yard an orange tree, a grape
fruit tree and a lemon tree. and then
five years later had added other trees
such as Dccans or olives? All this
should have been done then and done
not from a utilitarian point of view
but to add to the beauty Of the city
and to make of it an American Garden
of Allah
A committee should be appointed to
determine just what sort of shade
trees are best for the city streets. and
the kind Of trees and the location for
them should be followed. Perhaps
evergreen trees such as olives and
peppers would be chosen instead of
ash and umbrellas, thus doing away
with the annual fall litter from the
falling leaves. beside making a green
city in winter.
Situated in the most fertile valley
in the world, in a climate that has no
equal, escaping as it does the frosts
Of the north and the humid heat of
the tropics, Phoenix could be made
into the gem of American cities, its
beautiful buildings set like jewels in
the foliage of the tropics