Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-23
RY GEoRGE B. HARRIsoN

BY GEORGE b. HARRISON
The plan originating with Street
Commissioner Humphreys and seconded
by President Edison of the Gamut
club for an application of the arcade
plan to the fronts of business houses in
order to utilize the sidewalk space for
widening the business streets, is meet
ing with more general favor. The sug-
gestion has been made that it be ap-
piled to a single block as an advertis-
ing feature in order to demonstrate its
feasibility.
If there should be any doubt regard
ing its advantageous effect as viewed
strictly from the business mans stand
point, the doubter should interview any
member of the executive staff of the
Emporium at San Francisco. When
the disaster of 1906 made necessary the
rebuilding Of the store, A. H. Martin,
general superintendent of the Empo-
rum, proposed to reconstruct the front
on the arcade plan. He was almost
unanimously opposed, for the idea was
not only new, but it would cost $4,000
at a period when money was con-
siderable object. Mr.. Martin argued
the idea through, however, and now
every man connected with the estab-
lishment, in a place of responsibility,
is firmly convinced that the innovation
was a remarkable piece of good bus
mess.
II was personally opposed to the sug-
gestion when it was broached," said
B. f. Schlesinger. assistant general
manager of the Emporium, recently.
I'VE knew of nothing like it as ap-
piled to a department store, and it in
volved making over the ground-front
of a building not easily changed. 1t
hae Of Ia J,
have ever done; you have only to go
down and watch the crowds passing
through the arcade to realize that. We
find that our arcade Is becoming a
great meeting place. On sunshiny days
il is attractive because of the shade
and on rainy days the protection brings
IN every one who is passing. No one
connected with the store has any re-
gret over the idea since it has been
tried"
The Emporiums plan includes dis
play spaces incIosed in glass between
the arcade walk and the street proper.
This gives an increase of 70 per cent
in display efficiency in addition to
much better light, while not in any way
sacrificing the ordinary display win
dows. Hamburger's in Los Angeles
furnishes an idea on this line, at that
stores main entrance at Eighth and
Hill streets.
The primary idea in suggesting the
arcade plan for Los Angeles business
streets is to provide greater street
space, and relieve congestion of traf-
fic. This would be obtained by moving
the sidewalk in under the building by
setting the first floor fronts back a dis
tance equivalent to the sidewalk space.
1t would not be impossible to carry 1t
to include both outside and inside dis
play spaces.
Stanley McGinnis, librarian Of the
Denver Athletic club, was a speaker
at the Rotary club luncheon yesterday.
Mr. McGinnis was asked to tell his
impressions as a tourist. He had been
asked few days ago by a friend, who
lived in Denver five years ago, if he
did not find Denver something of a viii
lage alongside of Los Angeles, at which
all his DenVerism arose in its might;
in consequence Mr.. McGinnis told the
Rotary club a few hard truths, but
did it so we'll it eheered him heartily.
Los Angeles is no doubt the best
advertised city in the United States"
said Mr.. McGinnis, but I must con-
fess I have been disappointed in a few
things about the city. When 1 got
off the train I thought that you might
learn something from Denver regard
ing the advantages of a union station
and the approach to 1t. Instead of
three stations, none of which offers
the tourist any welcome, you might
Improve matters with one station with
boulevard leading away from it,
Then I find myself here between
seasons with nothing special open for
entertainment One is apt to find fogs at
the beaches and the pleasure you may
obtain from stopping in Los Angeles in
February Is not Obtainable at this time.
If l may offer the suggestion you can
greatly add to the enjoyment of tourists
who come at this time of the year
and you will find many who may not
see Los Angeles at any other time
IL you will offer special attractions.
understand that you are initiating
something of this sort with your mu-
nicipal band. / found an excellent
showing on that line at Santa Barbara.
where 1 visited before coming to Los
Angeles, which spends $4,000 a year
for fine band. We have been SUD-
porting band at Denver for fifteen
years and have found that II pays re-
markably. AS result of our municipal
attention to music our public has be.
come educated, and we are Indirectly
able to offer better entertainment to
our visitors because, through the an
probation of the Denver public a bet
ter class of musical and dramatic Of
ferings is possible. That Denver an
preciates her municipal band is proved
by the attendance OF 10000 at the
Fourth Of July concert this year.
I'VE have in Denver practically a
million-dollar library outlay. I had a
letter Of Introduction to your estima-
BILE librarian, and when / went to find
HIM they directed me to a department
gfnFn / fhnnObf I
but when ! stepped on the elevator the
attendant called floor which held