Evening star., 1909-05-22

some advantages and opportunities which
here the wealthiest cannot command.
Forty years ago, Germany planned to
provide in all its cities and for all the
people in them facilities for wholesome
physical exercise, large and convenient
opportunity to enjoy the beauty and
wonder of the nature world and more
intimate knowledge OF noble kinds of
human life and beautiful products of
human work. Fine city streets, orderly
railroad approaches and surroundings,
truly beautiful public buildings. open
green squares and plazas, refreshing
lent and ample Fairgrounds. numerous
parks, parkways and boulevards. art mu-
seums. theaters. opera houses and con-
cert halls-all these in Europe are free
or so nearly free that they are easily
available for all the people,
These are not only worthy pleasures
In themselves, to relieve from the grind
and fatigue OF yesterdays and today
toll, but they make g. definite and indis-
pensable contribution toward tomorrow S
efficiency. In political rights we have
democracy enough; judging by results,
perhaps more than we have fitness for.
But should we not work for wider de-
mocracy of recreation. for more oppor-
tunity to enjoy those forms of beauty and
pleasure which feed and refresh the soul
as bread does the body?
Development Of Individuality.
Secondly, we need to consider more at
tentively the opportunity to improve our
cities by the development OF their in
dividuality, their personality. The reason
for the criticism of the sameness of
American cities Is in our failure to echo
more closely in our city plans the physi-
cal situation and topography Of our cities.
my final point Is to earnestly advocate
a stopping of waste. At first we must
effect our saving mainly by preventive
measures and by bold but well con-
sidered and conservative investment of
capital. The main source OF this new
wealth, the extent Of which Is beyond all
estimate, Is the wiser outstanding Of our
aesthetic and human as well as our nat
ural resources, In the promotion OF
health, in legislation that meets more
successfully the needs Of twentieth-cen-
time, especially as this applies to the pur-
chase Of land, and In doing things in the
right way, using to our advantage sci
ence. art, skill and experience"
Wipe Out Slums.
That city planning should take less
impetus in the way of providing automo-
bile drives and bridal paths and more to
wiping out congested centers of popula-
tion, where vice, crime and disease are
bred, was the claim of Mr.. Pope.
mo important enterprise can be sue
cessfully carried through without clear
recognition of what 1t Is" he declared.
This clear realization Of Its own nature,
growth and possibilities Is yet wanting in
status) is our first and foremost need. Be-
cause OF our ignorance of the true scope
of town planning. our work in this coun-
try has not and cannot, as at present un-
derstood. accomplish its primary function.
For example, we have assumed with
out question that the first duty OF city
planning is to beautify. We have made
the esthetic an objective In itself; In most
of our large cities the movement has
characterized itself by the expenditure OF
huge sums for extensive park systems
with broad boulevards and bride paths, for
far-Outlying reservations, inaccessible I'M
provements. designed to protect the needs
of future generations. which are made
available to but small portion of the
community, the wealthy and leisure
classes who of all society needs them the
least
Adornment Should Be Afterthought.
again we have rushed to plan snowy
civic centers OF gigantic cost, in design
the expression of. at best. only a small
group of individuals instead of a ma
tional enthusiasm, the carrying out of
which too often has been brought about
by civic vanity, and bear the character
Of external adornment, when pressing
hard by we see the almost unbelievable
congestion, with its hideous brood of
evil-flth. disease, degeneracy, pauperism
and crime. What external adornment can
where of our great communities which
have attempted city planning as under
stood In America is there one that can
plead not guilty to the charge?
for posterity in our elaborate plans for
future development? Have we q right to
burden posterty with our notions of their
needs and with the great cost Of realizing
them? Ought we not to give more atten-
ton to the urgent needs of the present
The foresight and generosity which these
efforts show are gratifying evidences of a
| high degree of civilization. but Is 1t genu-
inc foresight to neglect the present-day
serious and fast-growing evils Of conges-
| ly a menace to future generations?
ITO forestall the disastrous and other
wise inevitable consequences of these con-
duions will be the richest service that
city planning can accomplish for the
future"
Housing as Vital Question.
The last formal address of the morn
ing was made 1by George B. Ford Of New
York city. on THE Practical Planning
Of Residential Streets" He largely dis.
cussed practical methods for laying out
a city to make the tenement house more
livable.
Housing. he said. is the most vital
phase of city planning. 1t Is the one side
which affects the life of the people more
hours a day than all other sides put to.
gether, he asserted.
The fundamental requisites for good
housing. he declared, are sunlight, air
cleanliness. privacy, cheerful and bright
surroundings.
Sunlight cures-sunlight prevents sick
ness,' he declared. AS city tenements
are now built, sunlight actually pene.
trates six months in the year only about
one room in four. One-half of the rooms
in which a city population lives receive
almost no sunlight throughout the year
He pointed out many principles which
should be followed II the evils of the tene
ment house are to be corrected by proper
city planning.
At the conclusion of the formal ad
dresses there was discussion OF ideas pre-
| sented.
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