The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-05-09

60 40 hsOEclAs ~ ~ VfAlS ADA AS az
tIre There are scores Of cities in
this country rith a population today
of 25.0esa people that viii have $4,000
IN q generation or less. and the same
rate of Increase mar be predicted vitn
equal confidence Of cities OF larger
population The greatest neglect is
right here. the failure to plan and re-
plan. 70 adjust and readjust. consist
entity 10 use art and skill and foresight
10 remodel existing conditions and TO
mould and fit for use the new terri
tory about TO be occupied.
The emphasis, ii would seem, needs
TO be placed less on the original plan
and more On replanning and remodei-
Ing. provided action is taken in time
The beautiful cities of Europe. those
that are constantly taken as illustra-
sions OF what modern cities should be,
are without exception the result of a
picturesque. almost accidental growth,
regulated, II is true, BY considerable
common sense and respect for art but
improved and again improved b. re-
planning and relnodeling to fit chang
&c conditions and rising standards. 1t
is here that re fall short. Through
ont the United States there are cities
with relatively easy opportunities be
fore them TO improve their water
fronts TO group their public buildings,
10 widen their streets, to provide in
twentieth century fashion for trans
portafion and to set aside areas now
considered indispensable for public
recreation and yet most OF these
cities have until recently stood list
less. without the business sense, skill,
and courage to begin the work that
must sooner or later be done.
In the development of city plans
for these smaller communities. | wish
to advocate three points: "a the
exercise of more forethought; ca the
use of skill; (3) the adoption of an
appropriate goal or ideal.
First. then. more foretnought. One
clear lesson of the census. is the
growth of cities. They move noiseless-
IL from one class to another with little
notice and less preparation. With
growth their requirements change
radically, but little or nothing is done
to meet these changing requirements.
Especially Is this true OF the constrns
Iion OF wide thoroughfares and the
acquisition of land for public purposes.
Instead of being always in advance OF
the requirements, as the city should
be In these matters, il is almost in
variabIy behind The foresight of the
German cities, the best-handled NUM-
cipalities in the world. is instructive.
Their plans are nearly always score
OF years in advance of the require
ments. and there is a definite and
liberal policy for the purchase of land
against future needs, some cities own-
ing as much as half their building
areas and having permanent land
funds OF millions of dollars set apart
for further acquisitions.
Secondly, greater use of skill and
experience should be employed in the
planning and building of small cities.
Failure to employ such skill is the
reason for much of our trouble today.
ally convinced of the value of the
man VINO knows. Democracy's atti-
tude toward the expert" declares
contemporary writer, is mean and
foolish attitude. No great service can
be rendered to the democratic cause
than that which shall cleanse it OF
this fault Generous who!e-hearted,
enthusiastic recognition of superior
ability and training. reyerent appre-
citation OF high character and high at
tainment, and a capacity to trust and
value these as they deserve; these are
virtues which democracy cannot set
itself too resolutely to attain, nor can
II value too highly any lesson that
1ill assist it in their cultivation
Long ago, John Stuart Mill gave
brief expression TO the same idea
when he said: The people should be
masters employing servants more
skillful than themselves"
third requirement is the adop-
ton Of an appropriate goal or ideal.
Changes are inevitable. We know
that And If these changes are I'M
guided they are almost certain not TO
be good. The future should not be
taken at hap-hazzard We should de
termine. at least in a general way,
what We wish it to be, and then strive
70 bring il TO pass. Above all, con-
s.stency is requirement, and some
appropriate and controlling ideal OF
Development. The individual topogra-
ply and situation Of cities, the differ
ences in social conditions, in the vary
ing economic functions Of different
communities-these factors and 9th
ers should all find opportunity for
natural expression in the city plans
Of smaller places. which can often
be carried out easily. especially II the
cooperation Of private individuals can
be secured
These three suggestions for smaller
places are perfectly practicable, and
have already been adopted and acted