Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-30
ing in Buenos Aires have been done
since 1899, with wonderful results that
speak for themselves to every observ-


er. Very lately an expensive improve
ment. which will appeal especially to
Neutrality-suspicious., has been perfected. 1t
CONSISTS in the destruction of whole rows
Of buildings to reconstruct and broaden
one end of the Avenida de Mayo, the
Pennsylvania avenue of Buenos Aires,
and to make an environment worthy of
the imposing new capitol building with
its lofty marble dome. The Avenida de
Mayo, like Pennsylvania avenue, con-
meets the buildings of the executive and
legislative branches Of the national gov
eminent. The new capitol stands out In
the vista at one end Of 1t: the Casa
Rosada, corresponding to our White
House, dominates the other end. The
Avenida. unlike Pennsylvania avenue. is
a fine type Of buildings. and as a result
is one of the most impressive thorough
fares In the world.
Buenos Aires has many other SHOW"
avenues. including Avenida Alvear. the
Massachusetts, avenue or 18th street of
Buenos Aires, the broadcast of the city's
horoughfares, traversing the most fash
tonable quarter, lined with the city's
finest residences. with stretches of public
garden and with palms and Towering
trees.
Buenos Aires has nearly four square
miles Of pa k system within its city
limits. including nine parks. fourteen
boulevards. thirty-ive squares. ten open
there are eight additions in construction.
Outside Of parks the city has planted and
cares for 15O.s56 trees.
Transformation of Rio.
The work Of capital building done in
Rio since 1902 is even more impressive
and inspiring. Before that date Rio con-
sisted Of a series Of disconnected villages
stretched along narrow shore strip and
creeping between steep hills which here
approach close to tho edge Of the bay.
which constitutes the city's harbor. AS
general result of the rebuilding cam
paign these disconnected villages have
been united. Hills have been removed or
cut through, whole blocks Of squalid
tenements have been leveled narrow
streets have been broadened. great ave-
nueS have been made and lined with fine
buildings. and a new Rio has been Great
ed. harmonious. homogeneous. one Of the
most beautiful capitals in the world. The
city In plan and execution Is made worthy
OF Its location on q magnificent bay. pic
turesque In its environment Of green hills
and yellow curving coast line, attractive
In the islands with which 1t Is adorned
and In the luxuriance Of tropical vegeta-
ton which covers both hills and islands,
and 30 extensive In area as to furnish
fifty miles of harbor.
Among the features in detail Of the Rio
Improvement plan were the construction
of quay following the shore line two
and one-sixth miles long. costing from
twenty-five to forty-twO millions, accord
Ing to varying estimates: broad avenue
parallel with the quay and of the same
length: rectification and prolona alton to
the sea OF the Manque canal, with an
avenue on either side nearly two miles
in length and 131 feet in breadth; eleva-
of city's water supply and revision of
sewerage system; construction Of q bay
s de drive four and one-half miles long
and lis feet wide. the beautiful Avenlda
Beira Mar (the Massachusetts, avenue or
18th street Of Rio). q boulevard lined
with artistically designed residences set
In gardens OF palms. bamboos and bright
flowers, and q driveway unsurpassed in
the whole world for picturesque beauty;
he broadening with the result Of de-
repaving with asphalt multitude of
Cd streets and avenues; and of especial
interest to WashinStonians the construc-
ton Of the great Avenida Central the
Pennsylvania avenue Of Rio). one and one
eighth miles in length. 1OS feet broad,
running In q straight line from sea to sea
and serving as the principal outlet Of the
cong ested business section. especially of
the quay and the river front. Over 600
buildings were demolished in preparing
the way, 5000 laborers working nj hit
and day. It's construction was commenced
November Is. 1905. and comp eted In
81. 500. O0O, which covers clearing OF the
ground, paving, construction OF electric
lighted buildings, and opening of avenue
to traffic. Amcng the buildings on this
made-.o-order avenue are the Municipal
Opera House. National Library, National
School OF Fine Arts and the attractive
Monroe Palace.
Rio expended 5000. 600 on model homes
for laborers. Between 1904 and 1905 1t
made 'arge expenditures in municipal
sanitation. The reat period Of pulling
down and rebuilding was between 1904
and 1905, when on those two objects &c.,
OO0, 900 were expended. The total ex-
penditure will. II Is estimated. amount to
as much as 500, 0OO,CO
Compare these vast works, so RAPIDLY
completed, with the neglect Of Washing
tons original mae indecent plan. and of the
| city Itself for three-fourths OF century.
and with the de- avs. waverinrs and oc-
casional picayune methods Of dealing with
the problem Of Transforming and recreat-
! ing Washington even today, when the ma