The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-29

hall attractive in design, with four classic
columns and a pediment with CLOCK
a studied setting at the end of frame
composed of a double row of trees
And still further we find this town
hall to be the central feature oi "
group of public buildings for which IL
is essential that suitable sites De pro
vided to insure their greatest useiGl
ness to the people. Another schooi, Il
possible Young Mems Christian assocla-
ton building, a library and pubic
baths, all designed together In the same
Architectural style, make an imposing
group Here again we find study put
into the last detail, the trees such as
will grow tall and arching SO as not 70
hide the beauty of the buildings yet
furnishing an airy shade, and the walks
of softer material than those Tor wear
and tear on the business street.
And then further we find acres or
salable land reserved for park pur-
poses, magnificent existing tree growth
retained to bound and create cool shade
and beauty over an immense Waolns-
pool where mothers may bring their
children during the heat or the DAY
and find attractive architectural en-
vironment in the form of rafter-cov-
cred seats, all designed In one unired
scheme And still further on there is
provided an athletic field where civic
health and pride may find room tor
DEVELOPMENT, and then LESSER play
grounds by the baths and public
sch ools, and all surrounded and de-
veloped by trees and shrubs designed
in an esthetic arrangement OF the bes'
that nature will afford, study and care
being given to root-formation. sun and
shade and dry and moist situations,
the composition of sizes and color and
texture of foliage and habit of growth,
and these at different seasons. ever
greens being introduced to break the
winter monotony and to compose for
formal and natural effects, and winter
berry and twig values taken advan-
tage of, not to speak of great sys-
tenn of colors and seasons of flower
bloom.
And this is but one feature in the
center of small community. 1t would
be interesting to tell of the study put
into the design of great entrance
boulevard, a long and beautiful park
way extending from the entrance of the
town past the civic center and into the
very high class upland residential Sec
ton, of the other parks and play
grounds, of the hilltop reservation with
pavilion from which the profiles or
lines of view to the civic center and
the whole town may be gained, of the
public square, of church sites with
heir steeples as the termini for the
view along important streets, and the
system Of building on or controlling
the designs of buildings on certain lots
because of their influence on the finan>
cial value and livableness of the VIII ole
town.
These are few of the things work
ed out for Corey, and why? 1t is be-
cause of the demand This is the part
of the work of home building which the
citizen, the wage-earner must have
done for him, and when it Is done along
intelligent, far-sighter lines he accepts
the effort. The situation in Birming
ham is most hopeful In view of the en-
thusiastic way in which the wage
earners have manifested their interest
In this great undertaking by which 1t
is proposed to evince to the country
that Birmingham does not intend to
follow the horrible example of Pitts
burg, but instead means to provide for
the wageearner the foundations for
standard of esthetic, sanitary, utilita-
rian and economic home conditions
that are equal to the best in the world.
These are the kinds of things which
make for better and greater future
Birmingham. the laying down of that
foundation upon which can be based
Ideal homes for the highest or the hum
blest of the community. Ny appeal is
for the home builder to so inform him
self on that portion of the work which
Is up to him, inform himself as to how
best to do his part in. developing the
home that he will build on such an
ideal foundation when offered him, in
form himself is to how he can best
serve his neighoor and himself and
each do his share toward creating a
standard of living conditions in Biz
mingham that will make 1t the ideal
Industrial city of the land.
My appeal Is to the wage-earner, to the
man with the modest home and that is
the ideal home, even the man without
servant-my appeal is to the wage
Garner to study how to keep his street
front such as to be best for the whole
street. how to subdivide his backyard, to
arrange the space to get the most out OF.
1t for him and his neighbor, to cultivate
and keep it up in a cleanly, productive
way and thus do himself good in doing
so, do his neighbor and his, city good
in doing so, do his children good; De-
mand restrictions on the type of buildings
to be built In the neighborhood, demand
how his neighbor will use his building or
his lot read magazines besides the news
papers that contain information on the
subject and plan how to appropriate good
ideas, and above all, when he contem-
plates building, see that the house design
selected Is not only attractive in appear
ance with low, spreading roof. but is
also useful and has entrance and out
look to attractive features designed in
the rear because the rear of the house
is the test of the home.
Boston, Mass.