The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-04-26
THE CITY BEAUTIFUL
By Eugene H Taylor

, = - - 49,
ways, are essential elements and their
arrangement of vital Importance.
The monotonous rectangular check
erboard, or gridiron plan of streets.
while simple and well enough for vii
lagos on level plain, or certain por-
lions Of large city, Is not conven-
lent or appropriate for unlimited ex-
pansion or on uneven ground. The
hypothenuse Of triangle is great
saver Of travel over going around two
sides of rectangle. The radiation
of main thoroughfares on the plan of
star fish or fan, insures ease and
convenience In reaching remote sec
tions, while it furnishes variety of
intersection park spaces and vistas
that increase the pleasing appearance.
There is much In the spiderweb ap-
plicable to street lines. The comhina-
ton of diagonal and radiating sys-
TENS, superposed above a rectangular
system; together with the curvilinear
which add interest and accommodate
contour grades, will meet every re-
quirement in most satisfactory way.
An interminable straight street on a
level has little in it to interest, but
fortunately this can be relieved by
the insertion of breaks in the shape
! of widening out to allow a central
| parking with bit of yerdure, and with
good intersections and any of varie-
jty of shaped parks, with a monument
or other appropriate feature. II 1t
appears to lead to nothing in particu-
/ la, it is tiresome, while curved and
sinuous avenues furnish varied eff
I fects; ever changing vistas improve
the perspective, and create sense of
mystery which stimulates the behold
er to expect something new and worth
going on to see. Furthermore, the
adherence to the checkerboard plan
may carry streets up and down too
steep grades or necessitate heavy fills
and deep cuts, resulting in great ex-
1 pense in the roadway, difficulties in
buildings, Inconvenience and damages
/ to AUDITING property, while elasticity
! of plan takes advantage of local con-
ditions and adapts itself thereto with
economic, convenient, picturesque and
i aesthetic results. Grades and differ
/ ences in level should not often be
), slurred over or obliterated, but rather
I accepted as blessing and their prop
er value and use studied out and &C.
centuated.
Most cities have areas within or adj
jacent that are lily adapted to or I'M
4 duly expensive for development as
commercial or residential districts
These usually become plague spots
of some sort, but in most cases the,
might be made the most charming
and picturesque elements in the cit,
beautiful Almost invariably there
: has been a choice between a slum OF
park A PERCEPTIONS hillside, deeI
ravine, swamp or water front, is US
ually held cheaply, is neglected ant
, becomes shabby shanty-town, or {
pestilencebreeding, dumping ground
: yet such regions are, with rare excep
tons. natures offering for beaut,
/ spots. Where even great expense ma,
) not fit them for suitable commercial
, use, they invite development by means
, of little well directed expense ant
/ labor, into attractive parks which vii
, at the same time, enhance the yalu,
; of all adjacent real estate far beyont
; the cost evolved. Indeed, the city tina
t does not have something of this sor
4 to give excuse for injecting breathin,
spots where commercialism would no
: of itself sacrifice room, is to be pitied
i. unless there never comes the one wit
a vision and the inspiring courage t
e accomplish the proper development.
+ This gift of prophecy, with ambition
r and courage TO anticipate great poss
bilities, that sooner or later finds e,
q preston through the public spirite
n enthusiast for city Identification
should, wherever and whenever man
0 tested, receive hearty support. 1t ha
4 been proved repeatedly that 1t is
q paying investment, at whatever cos
q to make city convenient, service
able, sanitary and beautiful. Super
! intendent Bernard Green OF the L
: brary OF Congress says: Make
!. city clean and let the light throug
: it's alleys and by-ways and the mora
. tone OF the people will be greatly In
! proved" This includes maintainin
good sanitary regulations, good houi
ings for the poor and suppressing tn
smoke nuisance. Cities OF then
selves do not work out these charat
:. teristics. It is only through the II
!. telligent systematic planning an
], labor OF definite organizations of cit
: zens, an improvement association
!. civic league, park or other commi.
: sion, that this contamination is reacl
: ed. The first step In this line has, a
rule. been to develop the park ides
% COO6 a q fhfu ir Ia hat xo,n