The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-25
CITY BOOSTED AND
KNOCKED IN I
MAGAZINE
J. HORACE MCFARLAND, IN OUT
LOOK, TELLS OF 0ETRoiT's
oLoRIes AND SHORTCOMINGS.
BUT PRAISE PREDoMINATEs.

j. Horace Mcfarland, president OF
tho American civic association. Is the
author OF an article on Detroit, In the
February number OF the OUTLOOK,
which is interesting as written from
a viewpoint considerably different from
that OF the usual tourist or writer on
travo4. 1t Is one OF series or such
comparative inquiries into the merits
and dement's OF the larger Americ All
cities, and Detroit comes. out well In
the critical test.
The motto OF the Board OF Com
metce. In Detroit life & worth liv-
Ing" has been chosen as atitie and
the writer. although discovering mant'
shortcomings common TO American
cities, and other cases in which The
city OF Cadillac has nor fulfilled its
promise OF possibilities, decides thar
the title Is wen-chosen as covering the
life OF residents Of this city.
he finds that the people OF mod
crate means in Detroit are better
housed. live mere comfortably and on
better paved and shaded streets than
the majority OF people in other cities,
and tina; river and parks give grea,ei
than usual chance for recreation al
small expense. "To find the cheaper
labor III such average comfort as IN
Detroit Is surprise" he says.
Mr. Mcfarland rather deplores tac
lack Of foresight which caused the
earlier Detroiters to fail to carry out
the original street plan and the lat
or generations to scatter public build
ines. Instead of grouping them In
harmonious and stately beauty. Belle
Isle comes in for praise of its oppor-
tunities for popular pleasure. although
the unsightly nature Of its approach
from landward is criticized.
The Grand boulevard Is also COM
mented upon as having no equal in
America In its plan, although poorly
kept IN places now. More parks be-
tween Jefferson-ave. and the river are
suggested.
'"ro see how the people enjoy the
varied delights and the ever changing
views here, Is to begin having n con-
ceptioh OF a value to humanity In rub
lie areas such as cannot be expressed
in terms of dollars" he says OF Belle
Isle.
Detroit does not come up to the mod
ern requirement OF an acre OF ark
area for every hundred of population,
he asserts, the proportion being ono
acre 10 every 800 people, and he sug-
gests that smaller parks would be a
blessing 10 the city. He advocates
that Detroit adopt city plan sucn
as that OF Washington, and that the
spaces about the Campus Martius. Cad
illac.sq. and the Grand Circus park be
butt up In a manner commensurate
with their natural advantages TO the
city
The great manufacturing industries,
especially the automobile and chemical
manufacturing industries, are sketch
ed and the favorable mention is
made that In this city, at least, manu-
facturers appreciate the value Of beau
tiful buildings. Poisoning of the air
Of the city with coal smoke is 1eplored
and this Is one black mark upon the
city's ettTactiveness.
Among the semi-public institutions
of the city. the new Y NJ. c. A. build.
ing, with its great technical training
schools. and the NMcGregor mission
come in for especial praise The Mus
cum of Art Is also described as hav-
ing a great beneficial influence.
In conclusion. Mr.. Mcfarland says:
mot yet settled into shape, with mum.
cipal needs quite obvious, this city Is
yet one of inspiring achievement and
OF tremendous hopefulness. With
such men--a glory indeed to any city
and with favoring present and pros
pectively better conditions. think
there Is Justification for the claim that
In Detroit life Is worth living"