Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-06
STUDY Of METHODS
BY CIVIC EXPERTS
Tour of European Countries to
Investigate City Govern
ment Systems.
OUTLINE OF THE RESULTS
GIVEN BY R. B. WATROUS
Inquiry Into Housing Conditions,
Care Of Streets and Sanitation in
Cities Abroad.

The group Of civic experts and students
of civics who left Washington and New
York In July for tour of European
countries. under the auspices of the
American Civic Association, has just re-
turned. Richard B. Watrous. secretary
Of the association, Of this city, arrived
In Washington yesterday.
The members of the party were given
unusual opportunities to make careful
Investigations OF the methods applied
In the cities Of Germany. France and
England for efficient administration.
with particular reference to the care of
streets. the disposal of household waste,
the creation and maintenance Of parks
and the solution of housing problems,
and the large general subject of compre-
hensive city planning.
Four Of the six weeks abroad were
spent in cities Of Germany, one week
in Paris and week in London, with
two days at Brussels, where the party
was entertained at dinner at the home
Of the American ambassador, Theodore
Marburg.
1.-The trip has been a most valuable
one in every way" Mr.. Watrous said to-
day. AS secretary, he had in charge the
arranging Of the civic program at each
I'VE were accorded unusually courte-
Gus attention by the city officials and Of
largely to the admirable arrangements
that had been made for our coming by
our American consular officers. who had
been advised by the State Department
Of our trip, and asked to do what they
could for us.
Meet City officials.
al aooh o,t,, ,JS;+aa IN orr ARRIVAL
we had as our guests at dinner the
consul general or consul, together with
from four to six city officials we had
asked him to invite also as our guests.
In that way. we were introduced to and
obtained most valuable Information from
just the authorities we desired to meet,
and. following the evenings discussion.
mapped out a program to cover the num-
Der Of days we were to be in each city.
I'm this way we were able to pursue
new and independent lines of investiga-
ton, to get at methods Of administra-
ton, and to study under the best condi-
tons the systems In vogue that have
contributed in such large measure TO
make the German cities. In particular,
with all the splendid things we saw.
we have returned Americans more than
ever. but are convinced that many OF
the customs QTACIlCoO III tuOSC Aol CASAA
cities could be adopted to great advan-
tage by our communities OF the United
States I made g. diligent search in many
of the German cities for evidence OF
neglect in the care of the streets. l con-
fess 1 would have been glad to disprove
some Of the statements that have been
made as to the absolute cleanliness OF
the streets Of German cities. but simply
could not find such neglect though l
made it q point to get away from the
main thoroughfares and to study the
streets that are used by the residents
rather than by the tourists.
Needs Of Washington.
while, of course, our observations were
Of a general nature and with view
to applying the information we secured
to all of our American communities, |
was particularly interested to bear in
mind constantly our own Capital city of
washington and its needs, and, for that
reason. l gave some especial attention
to the study Of housing conditions In
Berlin and other German cities, and In
Paris and in London, and l think nave
obtained data conecernining municipal
housing that should have very direct
and valuable application to our own ex-
listing conditions and the important effort
now being made to eliminate some OF
the Objectionable alleys and substitute
for those bad housing conditions i'm
proved conditions, which l am convinced
might very properly be conducted py the
government itself.
s.In two cities. at least, I found notable
examples Of municipal housing opera
tions-that is, where the property has
been acquired by purchase, the houses
built and leased to tenants by the city
direct, with no intermediate agencies.
such was the case at Dusseldorf, for in
stance, which is recognized as one Of the
foremost of German cities In the intro
duction of new ideas in municipal ad-
many large apartment houses all OF
substantial construction, excellently ar
ranged for the comfort and good health
Of the tenants and provided with ade-
quate open areas about them
London Housings Best.
but it was in London that l found the
housing that pleased me most. BY spe-
cial enabling acts of parliament the
London county council which Is one OF
the most important administrative bodies
for all OF greater London. Is authorized
to conduct housing operations. and 1t has
been doing SO for several years with
marked success. Twisted one OF the
hest OF these developments. the White
Hart Lane estates. where found a most
admirable community deVelopMen., W.
hundreds Of small houses. some detacneo,
others semi-detached. and still others IN
rows-none Of s1em more than TWO
stories in height and each OF them pro,
vided with an attractive little front ya var,
and a larger back yard, and in connection
with the entire estate an area OF several
acres given over TO community uses 1or
recreation and outdoor sports.
There people were given opportum
ty to rent small houses OF three or
four rooms for from $3.50 to - q
week. I have brought back with me
reports OF the housing operations OF
both Dusseldorf and London. together
with reports on the same subject from
other cities, but those two appealed
to me particularly. because they, repre-
scented operations conducted ted, by s' the
restions in them for our own local.
Situation, and any service I may be
able to give for the good OF Washing
ton you may be sure will be most
gladly given.