The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-23
ATHENS MAY BE
 RECONSTRUCTED A Possibility of German Ideas
 Al Berlin SEEK SOCIAL DISTINCTION Architects of Superior Ability Do Not Get the Rating In Society That Their Accomplishments Would
 Seem to Warrant.
SEEK SOCIAL DISTINCTION
By MALCOLM CLARKE.

Berlin. May 22.-The reconstruction of Athens according to German ideas, is the latest possibility.
 Professor Ludwig Hoffman, the well known German architect, who has been commissioned to modernize the ancient capital of Greece, has just returned from Athens after a visit of inspection. In an interview Professor Hoffman states that 1t Is his intention to alter the entire aspect of the city by means of wide streets and well arranged squares, planta- tions, trees, etc. The Acropolis is to be improved" by "Corzo" road. The streets will be levelled and asphalted. Although the professor admits that the present state of the citysin no way dis graces it's great architectural past, yet his plans for an Athens made in Ger many will be submitted to and probably accepted by the city fathers in a few months.
 The feudal contempt for everything modern which still exists among the Prussian bureaucracy is we'll illustrated by the fact that architects, engineers and technologists have been obliged to form 8 technical league in order to gain recog- hilton as ordinary members of society.
 The founders protest that while Ger many owes her greatest recent achieve ments to technologists of various kinds these are treated with contempt as com- pared with the respect paid to members of the learned professions. The practical builders of modern Germany are not recognized by the state.
 Men distinguished in the domain of abstfact science. if they only have the title of professor, are addressed as "Excellency," but the inventor of valuable process which may gain Ger many the command of a whole industry, is treated as a sort of superior arti- san.
 The founders of the league mention that Westminster Abbey has a statue of James Watt, on the pedestal of which 1t is expressly stated that it is tribute from the King, the ministers, the mo- bles and the people.
 In Germany a statue might be erected by the people, but sovereign. ministers and nobles profess to ignore the existence of the men to whom they owe most of their power and wealth.
 Berlin's latest bid for metropolitan greatness is an elaborate new race course, to be known as "Ruheleben." It is situated near Spandau, in the pret- ty western outskirts of the capital.
 The projectors, a group of aristo- cratic sportsmen and society leaders, make the proud claim that "Ruh ele ben" will take immediate rank with Epson, Newmarket, Longchamps, Chan lilly, Sheepshead Bay and other world famed tracks. Horse racing has not in the past been a conspicuous feature of Berlin sporting life primarily, people say, because the Kaiser is not particu- larly interested in the sport of kings. There are two tracks already in ex- istence-Hoppegarte and Karlshorst- but they have never been specially fashionable. 'Ruheleben," which is to have its opening meeting next month is to supply the missing note.
 The German Crown Prince. who has become the official head of all sporting activities In the Fatherland, is expected to identify himself conspicuously with the destinies of "Ruheleben. If he does the tracks success will be fairly well as- sured.
 Trotting is to be special feature of t ehcourse. MT. c. K. G. Billings, the American multi millionaire, stabe pro- prietor and owner of the worlds fastest trotter, Lou Dillon," has brought the mare and a stright of eight stable mates to Berlin to give eclat to the opening events at "Ruheleben." He announces that the value of any prizes gained by his stable will be handed over to Berlin charities.