Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-14
GREW BY DEGREES
London's Evolution From a
i. Mere HuddIe Of Huts.
MAZE OF CROOKED STREETS
Greatest City in World Least Accom-
modating to Peoples Uses.
SLOW METHODS IN BUSINESS
r1gures III Connection With Recent
DAY Census" Noting Changes
In Twenty Years.
MAZE OF CROOKED STREETS
SLOW METHODS IN BUSINESS
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence of The Star.
LONDON. April 80 1911.
Had the Roman occupation of England
been of longer duration il is probable
that the city of London today would
have been a more convenient place for
the transaction of business and a more
comfortable place of residence. For in
all likelihood the south European mas
tiers would have evolved a better planned
metropolis for their island holding, CIV
ing to ii a capital somewhat systematic
in arrangement. with broader avenues of
access. But London. originally a mere
huddle Of huts on dry place in the mid
die of marsh. Just grew" 1t first was
choked within sort of earthwork for
defense.
The Romans built a wall for their bet
ter protection against the native forces.
That condensed it further. Then in later
centuries 1t spread beyond, following
lanes and footpaths, and as it extended
it followed the eccentric fancies of the
settlers. until it became veritable maze
of crooked streets and courts, news and
passa ges.
Today the Londoners are paying
penalty for the civic sins of their for
bears. Having become the greatest city
in the world, in some respects London
10 the least accommodating to tip uses
of the people. They have spread over
an immense area and rely upon all man
ner of devices for their transport
Business Moves Slowly.
Fortunately they are not, as class,
- In a hurry They are willing to take
plenty of time for their errands. Busi-
ness starts late here in the morning.
You 60 into shop at o'clock, expect
ing to be met with smiles, and are
amazed to be treated with complete in
difference. Clerks are arranging stock,
busting counters and shelves or prepar-
ing their sales books. Porters are pol
fishing brasses or cleaning floors. 1t is
almost impossible to get served until
after $50 or 10 o'clock, save by direct
petition.
In the offices the same condition obtains
as a rule. The stranger who goes about
seeing people is wisely warned by the
knowing ones not to call before 10 or
even II o'clock. Then, too, it is unsafe
to call until after J., as the luncheon
hour is then on, while from 4 to 8 Is
another period of possible disappointment
for the oficial-hunter.
1t would be interesting to know whether
Londons late morning start is the result
of the travel difficulties racial habit
irrespective OF conditions. Certainly to
q very large part of the population GER
tain lines of quiet travel are open. those
underground. And they offer remarkably
cheap and speedy transport But London
lies thick In so many directions and for
such great distances that it is impossible
to carry everybody by tube. Hence the
busses and trans, not to speak of cabs
and brakes. that ply the streets in endless
procession.
"a just now in connection with the day
census Just taken Of the city OF London,
the old city of the lord mayors juris-
diction, comprising an area Of about one
square mile out of the seven hundred
square miles of the Greater London ter
ritory. The totals Of this new enumera-
ton have not yet been announced, but IL
Is expected that they will show a con-
ment into and out OF the City set forth
In this table:
rcpula-
Night ii2.oes 100. ii.ssi SOS. 1864 1854
Daily migration: ........... 200. 400 2ss, $50
Changes in Twenty Years.
No day census was taken in 1901. and
% the results of the latest count showing
the change of twenty years Is awaited
with interest by those who are concerned
in London's congestion problem. While
the ratio Of the past may not be con-
tinued, 1t will probably be shown that
there is daily movement Of nearly
$4,000 into and out Of the City, q move
ment accompanied by an even greater
migration Affecting a much larger area
Immediately surrounding the lord mayors
realm. 1t Is doubtless safe to say that
nearly one million people move about
daily along certain established lines of
travel In the regular course OF business
within an area OF five square miles: and
this, too. through narrow. crooked and
often obstructed streets.
In connection with the day census OF
the city. enumerators were stationed at
the ninety-six points of ingress on the
morning Of the count, and took note Of the
travel tide. Some of the figures have been
announced. and show the tremendous tide
of travel. The arrivals at the Liverpool
street railway station, from an immense
urban and suburban area lying north and
northeast OF the business section, were
17.150 between Z and O'Clock, 1900 be-
tween and g. and Is, $50 between Q and
10: a total of $500 arrivals in three
hours. At the Broad street station, a less
important point Of travel. 11.o00 passen-
gers arrived beween and 9. Over Lon
don bridge 41.7SS people passed cityward
on foot between and o'clock. and a.
ell In vehicles OF all kinds. totai inflow
In one hour OF $3.50. In two periods Of
ten minutes each. LOO pedestrians
the rate on that one footpath of seventy
five minute. ver1table stream Of hui
manly.
Movements Of Vehicles.
The vehicles Of all kinds entering the
city during the day run high into tens Of
Thousands, reckoning by trips. Over Lon
don bridge alone from am. to pm.
40 horse omnibuses crossed. and $50
motor buses. Then there trans and
cabs in great number. not to speak Of
the trucks and ordinary business wagons.
In such conditions II is no wonder that
the visitors impression OF London on an
ordinary weekday Is that OF a tremen-
dous mass OF humanity, constantly in mo-