Evening star., 1909-05-23

| tHAL memorial SnOuIQ De sent 10 OOtn
houses outlining the discussions and
| actions Of the national conference, and
thus showing the importance Of prompt
action along the lines suggested In the
| resolution.
| The conference delegates also decided
| to arrange for a more complete national
conference on city planning, to be held
l next winter. The resolution to that ef-
| feet, which was adopted. was introduced
| by Henry Morganthau, and was seconded
| by Frederick Law Olmsted, jr.
Committee to Arrange Plans.
| It declared "that a committee be form
ed to arrange for a more complete ma
tional conference on city planning and
the congestion problem, to be held next
winter. and to submit to that conference
a well considered project Of organiza-
ton for developing comprehensive city
/ planning in America, and that the COM
mittee consist of representatives Of the
following: The committee on congestion
Of the population in New York. Amer
! ican Society Of Civil Engineers, Ameri-
can Institute OF Architects, American So
| ciety of Landscape Architects. League OF
American Municipalities, American Civic
Association, National Conference Of Char
| tiles and Corrections, and such Of the
callers OF this conference as will serve
| on the committee. with power to add to
their number"
prominent advocates of city plans from
many of the largest cities Of the coun-
try outlined to the conference the de-
velopment OF their home municipalities
Achilles Ballinger, Secretary Of the In
terror, presided. The speakers and the
cities about which they spoke were as
follows:
Speakers for Cities.
Senator Francis G. Newlands Of Ne
vada. Washington. D. c.; Representa-
tive w. T. Borland. Kansas City, Mo-:
Representative julius Kahn, San Fran
cisco; Munson A. Havens. secretary of
the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce,
Cleveland: Arthur A. Shurtler, Boston
| Andrew Wright w. Crawford, assistant
citysolicitor of Philadelphia, Philadelphia;
DR.. J. @. Adams, secretary of the New
York mayors art commission, New York
Charles Mulford Robinson Of Rochester
| on Los Angeles and Denver: Allen T.
Burns, secretary Of the Pittsburg civic
| commission, .Pittsburg; Josias Penning-
ton, secretary of the Municipal Art So
| ciety. Baltimore: Frank c. Baldwin. De-
troit; Richard B. Watrous, secretary OF
the American Civic Association, Mil
| waukee.
In opening the session Secretary Bal
linger declared that he was only ia
that have grown In the past generation.
| In tho new city with which he has
been familiar, Seattle. he said. the serv-
| ices OF city planner were secured, and
the city has been developed largely along
the lines laid down by the expert adviser.
Senator Newlands. in speaking Of Wash
| ington, outlined the history Of L'Enfants S
| original plan for the city and its applica-
| ton In the older parts Of the District, and
| then spoke Of the failure Of legal ap-
proval of the plans for the newer parts
of the National Capital presented by a
commission of prominent workers along
| the line Of city planning.
I'VE are beginning to realize that a city
should be planned just as a building is
planned, just as any great engineering
project is planned, and that the plan
should be prepared in time," he con-
tinued. ''It is possible to look out for the
things OF beauty as we'll as of utility
there should be public parks, reserva-
tions for schoolhouses and other public
buildings.
System for a Guide.
''There should be developed some sys-
tenn that would be a guide for all the
cities and towns OF the future.
This government entered on practical
work by the establishment of a bureau.
and later q department. Of agriculture.
has been guide to the various states
and localities.
s"We need now the organization Of the
constructive work Of the nation on some
definite and practical basis. Not only
| will the Panama canal work be continued
| In the future, but there will be the con-
struction OF public buildings, river and
harbor improvements and other large
projects. This country should have q
bureau OF construction and should ally
with 1t bureau Of arts. Unite the work
Of the great engineers with that OF the
great artists. Architectural and other
societies are creating public opinion in
this country today; and IL they keep up
their work this nation will have q bureau
Of construction and arts which may de-
velop into q department.
And I cannot see why such a bureau
cannot take up the question Of city plan
taken up plans for good roads. and why
should not this other bureau take up
plans for good cities? Why should 1t not
enlist the aid OF towns In establishing
models? Why should not Washington
which we intend to be the most beautiful
city of the world, be an educational CEN
ter for municipalities? Why should not
the municipal engineers Of the future be
| trained in Washington"
Group Plan In Cleveland.
| Speaking Of the plans for the develop
ment of Cleveland. Mr.. Havens declared
| that the Cleveland group plan OF public
| buildings Is no longer q dream. but is
certain of achievement because the city
has already acquired Is per cent Of the
| land for the new public buildings. Refer
| ring to the park system. he spoke par
| ticularly of the absence Of Keep of the
grass signs in public reservations Mr..
| Havens urged particularly that those en-
gagged in city building should devote de-
tailed study to city finances in order that
| their work be practical and effective. and
he expressed the belief that city planning
| is the proper work of the chambers of
commerce and boards of trade Of Ameri-
| can cities.
Speaking OF Boston and its develop
ment Mr.. Shurtleff said:
| Greater Boston houses population of
approximately 100000 persons upon a
territory Of 400 square miles, embracing
forty independent cities and towns. These
municipalities have been united from time
to time for special purposes. in order to
accomplish certain great public works.
This unification has been effected by COM
missioners appointed usually by the gov
ernor Of the state, In conjunction with
| the mayor OF Boston. Through the ef-
forts of such commissioners the district
has constructed a great system Of water
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