Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-05-02
RIO 4 MODEL TOWN
Sanitation Has Changed Plague
Center to Health Resort.
fs Called Paris of Western World
Cost of Living Is High, but susl.
ness and Wages in All Indus.
tries Are Good.

tries are SCoo.
Rio Janeiro.-Rio is the Paris OF the
Americas in all that the name 'implie:
and is one OF the loveiiest,. most mod
eIn and progressive cities in the
world. The fire and police depart
mentS are perfectly equipped and
maintain remarkably high standard
of efficiency. :.
The people Of Rio, by the eypendi
ture OF vast: amount OF determine
ton. courage, energy and money, lit
orally have accomplished maryels
Fifteen years ago the city was mud
hole and a cesspool of filth and dis
ease, scourged by yellow fever and
many forms Of pestilence. An Italian
warship visited the city at that time
and every officer and every man OF
the crew died of the fever. A foreign
crew had to be hired to take the shin
back to italy. Today Rio compares
favorably with the healthiest cities in
the world. Sixty million dollars has
been spent in The last ten years for
sewerage, water, streets, etc. No bet
ter water supply exists. 1t is brought
clear and cold from the mountains to
the city in covered aqueducts OF
stone There are no flies, mosquitoes
or rats in Rio. For two years the city
maintained a force Of 1000 men en-
gagged in their determination, and with
entire success. Her public markets
are gems Of beauty and cleanliness;
screens are unnecessary; indeed, they
are unknown in Rio. and the meats
and fish can be exposed with perfect
safety, because there are no flies and
no dust. whether on the Avenida Gen.
trail, the Champs Elysee Of Rio, along
the docks or in the back alleys. They
are all as clean as the constant use OF
soap and water can keep them. A
10O-Inile ride through the streets OF
Rio does not discover scrap Of pa
per.
The public buildings are magnifi-
cent, the parks, boulevards and ave-
nues unique in their beauty. The de-
partment OF commerce and labor Of
the United States, in an official re-
port. states that the beauty Of Rio
Janeiro cannot be exaggerated; to
quote: at is very much like Switzer.
land--for one cannot eXaggerate its
beauty. All is here-the beautiful
location, the well-planned city, the
well-paYed streets. the lovely vistas,
the Avenue Central, with its million
of dollars worth OF buildings, and the
harbor improvements that will cost
millions anG lead the world" Rios
park system is one Of the most
notable features OF the city. The
municipality has $4,000 square me-
ters laid out in parks. squares and
parkways, and in addition the federal
government maintains most extensive
botanical gardens.
The climate is excellent. It ts
never any warmer even in the center
Of the city than the average summer
weather in New York or Chicago, and
In Is minutes on the electric car the
heights overlooking the sea can be
reached where the residential dis
tricts are located and where the air
is always cool and invigorating. The
winters last from May to October and
an overcoat is generally necessary.
Rios location, its beautiful bay, the
surrounding hills and mountains
clothed in eternal verdure, are incom-
parable. 1t is q very cosmopolitan
city and her citizens have all the; ele-
gance, luxury and refinement Of Paris,
brussels or any European capital.
Everybody looks prosperous, and as
most everybody is making money,
many are spending it fast. Rio is one
OF the most costly places in the world
to live. since everything eaten. worn
and used is imported. :. Chickens are
So and s. apiece, turkeys IS to s12,
butter 81 4 hound. An ordinary quar-
ter-pound can OF baking powder cost
s10S on bargain day.