The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-04-20
CITIES OF EUROPE
EXCEL IN BEAUTY
Brooklyn Engineers Make a
Study Tour of Foreign
municipalities.

NEW YORK. April 20-The superior
ity of foreign cities from the viewpoint
of civic planning and Identification of
industrial buildings and plants IL point
ed out in a recent Interview by George
T. Hammond. engineer of design of the
bureau of sewers, of Brooklyn, who re-
turned a short time ago from a tour OF
European cities whereon he made eN-
tensive studies and observations with
Chief Engineer Fort, of the bureau. The
engineers visited London, Paris Berlin,
Hamburg, Dresden. and other great
centers Of engineering design, and re-
turn with many photographs and notes
of municipal conditions.
In most Of the European cities. ac-
corGing to Mr.. Hammond. they did not
find the municipalities much ahead of
New York in paving Of streets and
sidewalks, and in some. as in the case
Of Liverpool, they found oldfashion
cobblestones. They found the same liz
convenierces resulting from street re-
pairs as here, except that in Germany
there was no attempt to carry OIL traf-
fic while the streets were in course OF
reIair.
with caution and with none of the rner-
cenary methods which are in use with
our architects" said Mr.. Hammond.
Perhaps the most unsigirtly struc-
lures in our great cities are the lurid
gas tanks that rear up even In resi-
obviated this by inciosing their gas
tanks within stone structures of hand
some design. that give one the impress
sion of gazing on n Carnegie public
library or museum There is con-
but the effect is most pleasing and of
necessity beautifying to the city.
Frequently the effect Is still more
improved by placing around the stone
structure. sort of park with shade
trees and green plots. II the Germans
can do this there is no reason why we
cannot also do it.
I'VE failed to find the elevated rail-
roads in foreign cities in any way
superior to our own I'm construction.
and we found them little better in
beauty of design. Railroad stations
sacrifice usefulness to the gracefulness
of their station sheds, but much the
same style prevails abroad as is found
in our own smaller stations. The canals
are bordered by stone ietties that are a
great improvement over those In our
cities, which are now so ugly that no
pleasant neiShborhoods border upon
them.
The last word in railroad bridges
and aqueducts is to be found in Ger
many. where even those bridges that
support the modern locomotives give
the impression of being frail spans OF
fairyland. Yet they are designed WIN
the most lasting methods OF the TWEEN
tieth century. Most OF the Work is
of concrete.
II consider Dresden the peer Of all
the European cities in the designs OF ITS
buildings. for there Is a basic principle
which gives the impression of quaint
ness wbiIe at the same time embodying
all the conveniences of a modern city.
The same effect of design as one flnds
upon Dresden china Is apparent
throughout the city. and the UNIFORM
height Of the buildings lends additional
charm. Even the growth OF a pro
gressive city does not efface Dresden
distinction.
las in the United states. there are
more or less dirty cities In Europe AZ
though certain of the European cites
have better systems of 'housecleaninS
than our own. In Germany we toGna
they had gone 20 the extent OF inlayi NJ,
sewers with tiles that were regularly
cleaned thus insuring the quick pas
sage Of debris and making the danger
of disease from this source neglieiole.