Evening journal., 1910-04-18
MONDAY, APRIL Ie. 1910
RE-PLANNING READING.

VAY 4 have received from friend a very in
w terestng book entitled "Replanning Read
ing, an industrial city Of a hundred thousand"
by John Nolen. The pamphlet is profusely
illustrated with plans and sketches and pic
tures and comprises the recommendations of
Mr. Nolen, who as a civic expert made study
Of conditions in Reading with a view to offering
suggestions for improving the city
Mr.. Noen attempts to forecast the future re-
luiremonts OF the city by a consistent plan of
action He aptly says that city planning does
not mean cXtravagant expenditure, but on the
contrary, II means saving OF the great waste
due to hap-hazard and short-sightcd procedure
and ill-considered plans
One OF the striking things in this interesting
book is the picture of the magnificent railroad
station at Sac Paulo Brazil which MIR. Nolen
thinks would be model for railroad center in
a city like Reading. The capital of Berks we
may remark in passing is in need of much better
railway stations than it has. But going to
South America for type of railroad station for
live Pennsylvania city reminds us of John
Barratt who has often told us of the great
progress in South American countries and that
we have much TO learn from them Appropri-
ate is the mention of the railroad station first
10 the pamphlet, for a stranger often makes up
his mind about a city when he sees the railway
station. And Mr.. Nolen draws upon other
South American cities as models for Reading to
copy.
In the pamphlet arc illustrations Of present
streets in Reading. and what the streets would
looS like with Improvements as proposed The
smoke nuisance. the beautifying Of back yards.
he need of Fairgrounds, the planting of trees.
he making of parks. the converting OF waste
places into good land. the construction of boue-
Yards and the erection and improvement OF pub
nc buildings are some of the topics discussed
Y Mr. Nolens suggestions were put into execu-
ZION, Reading indeed would be a garden CITY and
a delightful place. Not that il Is worse than
other cities, for all cities Of the size OF Reading
could be greatly improved with little thought
luness and the expenditure OF proper amount
of money.
The story contained in "Replanning Reading"
Is similar to that Mr. Brown suggested at the
annual meeting Of our Board Of Trade Mr..
Nolen made this interesting study Of Reading at
the solicitation Of the Civic Association Of that
city. lie is a noted landscape artist of Cam
bridge. Mass. We congratulate him upon his
splendid report and congratulate the Civic Asso-
,iation Of Reading which is laboring for civic
Improvement along the proper lines. Such inn
orovement should be systematic and not hap
hazard, and that is the advantage of having the
views Of person like Mr.. Nolen. If we arc GO
ing Tor civic improvements in Wilmington a
plan similar to that of Reading should be adopt
"a Then we should not do things which a
iuture generation would have to undo. Our
ancestors seemed to know very little about Law
ing out and building beautiful town We have
10 work TO correct their mistakes
We should like to see report on WILMINGTON
? similar to that made by Mr. Noen about Read
ng. 1t would stir up civic pride in our people
replanned Wilmington such as renlanne,
Reading as shown in this report would ~,
lancy "astonish the natives"