The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-13
Burnham Addresses World
Gathering of Architects.
FUTURE OF CITY HIS THEME
Champions DemOcraey-Snys People
Under American Form of GVern-
ment VIII Make Big GaIns-Arehi-
teetaraI achievements of Nation.
washington Near Perfect City.

London architects Few days ago, Dan
lei H. Burnham, one of the foremost
architects of our country and designer Of
the new city post-ofice. defended Ameri-
can democracy and told OF the wonderful
progress Of the nation along both artis-
tic and commercial lines. His whole
speech was followed withAthe closest at
teHtion. and many passages were greeted
with vigorous applause.
Mr.. Durham was invited TO London TO
speak before the tOwn-planning congress.
which convened for a six-day session TO
take up the problems consequent TO the
mushroom growth of the modern city.
Architects from all PARTS OF the world
were In attendance. and by the enthusi-
astic reports of the London journals the
greatest triumph of the session was
scored by the American representative.
My subject" said the stalwart. grave
faced Chicagoan, ''is a city OF the future
under a democratic government Some
very great men. and among them Herbert
Spencer and Lord Maeaulay have pre-
dicted the downfall OF the American de-
mocracy. Nevertheless, having firm con-
fidence in our new mixture of bloods. our
new environment, our searching publicity,
and our growing intelligence. l cannot
doubt that the American democracy viii
persist. 1t takes far greater ability to
subvert liberty now than ever before
since mans history began. and so 1
promise permanence to democratic insti-
tutions.
Power of Democracy.
ITO these is vitality related the future
Of the cities Plenary demOcracies@ can
do what We want them to DO. They have
full power over men, land, and goods, and
can always make their laws and execute
their purposes. Democratic peoples, when
they perceive the value of plans 10 bring
convenience and beauty into the hearts
Of cities, can get such plans carried out.
Mr. Burnham rapidly sketched the prac-
tlCal achievements in town planning in
the United States since the Chicago
worlds fair. which gave rise TO the first
plan commission in America" He also
described the work done in this line in
the Philippines under President Taft and
that superb young commissioner, ",
Cameron Forbes. now governor general
OF che islands. The most difficult task of
all before us is that Of raising public in
tereSt up 10 the level OF definite action.
Even this, in my judgment. is not at all
Impossible.
Chicago is moving practically and with
determination in the matter and hopes to
educate The people 20 demand delightful
ness as q part Of life and 10 devise ways
of getting H. Pessimists abound and
have always abounded To them most OF
the big and splendid things are chimeri-
cal Well. in $50 there was little street
paving in the United States and not much
in London or Paris. There were no great
sewerage systems, water systems, gas,
electric power and light. street ears. side
walks. or other systems but all these we
have now. We do things that would
make our forbears think US magicians.
City of the Future.
"Our city of the future will be without
smoke dust, or gases from manufaetur-
ing plants, and the air viii, therefore. be
pure The streets will be as clean as our
draWins-rooms to-day. Smoke will be
thoroughly consumed. and the gases lib
Grated in manufacture will be tanked and
burned Railways will be operated cleo
trically. all building operations will be
effectuaily shut in to prevent the escape
of dust. and horses will disappear from
the streets. Out of all these things will
come not only commercial economy. but
bodily health and spiritual joy
As the water is already generally pure.
all that is needed is more economy in its
use. Congestion is intoierable in all the
great cities Of the world and relief is i'm
perative. II will be found in divertlng
people in other directions and in chang
ing construction so as 10 carry more
traffic,
we may expect. in any event. double
AN vols all 10 STR fE al
the utmost use of the present street levels
by extensive double-decking and many
more overhead transportation lines Some
time the rush In the cities may cease, but
/ see no signs now of its ceasing and
meanwhile crowding must be dealt with
We need systems of by-passes around tne
congested districts We need still more
and mainly to diminish the number of
people and vehicles using given areas.
To Expedite Traffic.
Broadly speaking, the city OF the fu-
ture will not bring to its center any goods
not intended for use or consumption
therein AT Chicago &c per cent OF the
tonnage in and out is not for home use
but for distribution 10 other places In
view of this fact we designed a general
freight scheme for the entire citys use
with car yards, freight depots and ware
houses combined, eight miles from the
city. where all trains shall unload and
reload"
Mr. Burnham described the scheme in
detail, explaining the lnadequacy of the
terminal facilities in Chicago. and pro-
ceeded TO advocate excavation from build
ing line 10 building line deep enough TO
allow for every needed transportation
service and circulatory system, so that it
would never again be necessary TO dis
turb the surface of the street
Il believe" he continued. that such
course would be economical both for the
public service companies and the city
government; certainly It would prolong
the life of the street paving and eliminate
congestion and a constant source of dirt
and disorder. Can it be doubted that the
cityof the future will operate its central
street system, possibly all its streets, in
this manner?"
Talks Of Washington.
Washington as an example Of one Of
the foremost American cities. architecture
ally considered. was a prominent theme
OF Mr.. Burnham's address. Sketching in
brief review the original plans of the CITY
as conceived by L Enfant. Mr. Burnham
proceeded with a characteristics descrip-
ton or the modern aspect Of the Capital
OF the United States.
Conceived by master mind. Wash
ington to-day. with its broad avenues.
forest OF trees. and spacious parks. Is an
example of the perfect American city. Il
IS true that it has no manufactures but
were they present Il is AT once apparent
that adequate accommodation could be
provided in the shape OF outlying dis
tricts entirely given UP TO this feature.
Continued on Page 5, Column 7.