The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-12-09
TOWN PLANNING
IN AMERICA
Is Future Considered BY an
English Expert
/ eREAT AWAKENING.

esart G. cuIpin, Secretary Of the
Garden Cities and Town Planning
Association of Great Britain, Believes
American Town Planners Will Lead
ne World In Scientific Study. III"
1Wart G. Culpin. secretary of the
Garden Cities and Town Planning as
s0ciation of Great Britain, spent three
months in this country studying pres
emit day conditions in American cities
mud towns. He has embodied his i'm
pressions in paper for his society.
He was not we'll impressed by condi-
TONS IN American municipalities as
they exist today; but. turning from ex-
ssong facts to the city planning move
I1ent in America and it's future. be
hands much to praise. Of this he says:
IN regard to many of the existing
ssAemes for town planning. the work
seems to be in sympathetic hands, and
IL u an encouraging fact that many
II the people who are most concerned
VIII town plans there are people who
sRe approaching it from what we think
he proper end of the subject. They
nc not thinking of the glorification of
ne town. but are realizing that town
cumming means not only the provision
II public buildings and open spaces
ana the making Of magnificent parks
an conveniently wide streets. spacious
hossevards and glorious vistas. but
tnt It means the proper housing of the
poDpse and the giving of better
chance of decent life to everybody
n The town. 1t is that point of view
Which seems to have been lost sight Of
II America. as also in this country,
hr the last few generations.
NE more logical and democratic
fwn of education in America will
100btless result in a generation of
toWA planners who. If the present
trend is followed. will lead the world
Ia scientific study. more particularly
N that phase which finds it's express
don not so much in the promotion of
Ne civic center. although the necessity
q q focus point for the city's activities
WIN be recognized. but which leads to
IL provision of better conditions of
He for the humbest of the citizens.
IN this respect there would appear
- be a great awakening throughout
America. and there is an evident desire
to accomplish something for the i'm
HRovement of existing conditions along
the lines Of cooperative housing, which
has had such remarkable success in
Ensland. 1t is difficult to compare
hsasfng work in the two countries be-
sa1se of the greatly differing cost of
labor and materials, which makes pro-
hbitive there at anything like the
px1ee the charming garden city type
6 cottages which can be let in Eng
hnd on an economic basis Of rents
Of and 6 shillings a week. But in
asnuch as the increase of wages means
The ability to pay more for the house
provided. there seems to be no reason
why the same system should not be
adopted successfully in America. And
1t Is satisfactory to note that definite
attempts are being made as result of
this visit to establish such societies in
several places. 1t requires only a few
successful experiments in this direc-
t1on to start revolution in housing
methods similar to that in England.
The importance of the provision Of
open spaces and the acquisition of riv-
er frontage is receiving great attention
generally and citizens are awakening
TO the fact that the obsession Of the
last few generations for the accumu-
tation of money has tended to the neg
lect of the preservation of real wealth
in the natural beauties of the states
to secure natural advantages for the
benefit Of the inhabitants, and at sew
Tai Of the meetings committees were
appointed to forward movements for
the provision of city plan which shall
include these various proposals.
1t is being realized. believe, that
siyic center is no substitute for
civic spirit and that comprehensive
view of the city as whole. the city as
an entity, must precede the satisfac-
tory solution of the city's problems.
The civic survey is a field of labor
whose possibilities have been but faint
y realized and whose Importance is APP
preciated by but few people on both
aedes Of the Atlantic, but the insight
into the real underlying conditions Of
the masses Of the population which
this study will make possible will be
one Of the most convincing arguments
1nr the effective handling of city prob
lUms. ....-|
CLEANING STONE WALKS.