Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-09-16
MISTAKES OF NEW YORK

a S the progress of the city is
n studied more closely by our
citizens they are learning how
great has been the benefit of expert
advice in every step of our develop
+: ment during the last fourteen years.
One or two mistakes have been made
and in every instance these have re-
suited from failure to consult with en-
gineers and experts familiar with con-
now there is an occasional criticism in
sarcastic vein of the expert" but less
and less of this sort of silly talk is
heard as the untold benefits which
have come from intelligent study of
our problems are realized.
The next great forward movement
of the city must be along the lines
of city planning. Errors of the early
years in this respect have been costly
and will be increasingly expensive as
the city grows Fortunately for Har-
risburg long-headed men of the pres
ent generation are profiuag from the
mistakes of other cities and even those
Planning Commission. which COM
prises level-headed and public-spirited
men devoted to the best interests OF
the city, is making a careful and eX-
haustive study of the future Harris
burg with the assistance of Warren
H. Manning, the landscape architect
who has done so admirably in trans
forming and making over the present
city. His work has not only been
along esthetic lines, but it has EN-
braced the practical problems as we'll.
Recently George McAnemy, presi-
dent of the New York Board of Alder
men. told the Outlook that:
Other cities. most of them being
younger than New York, should be
able TO profit by our mistakes as
well as by our present planning. A
large part of our problem here to-
DAY nSysriiss heS fTo IN Sedlhg the gas T'h en is
lustration. talie Manhattan's street
+ system. Those who laid il out
msny man in fs tae city eiG would oG RaSs
population of more than SO mill
iion centered in this island. and
be more than 10 million. Conse-
quently the north and south ave-
nues. being too few; are choked
situation which has grown to be
intolerable, we are now extending
Seventh avenue southwark at cost
OF nearly $9,00O,0oO.
Discussing the same problems, the
Kansas City Star says that in laying
out the street system of that western
metropolis the New York mistakes are
being repeated; that those who are
engaged in the work do not fore
see that within ten years the conges-
ton of population is going to choke
the north and south avenues with
traffic; they do not understand the
opportunity to construct a system Of
traffic ways that will handle the motor
traffic of one million, two million and
three million people"
And that's precisely the situation in
Harrisburg to-day. We must look far
into the future. That is the function
of the City Planning Commission. This
body of five broad-minded men is CIV
ing intelligent. searching study to the
very problems which are now caus-
ing the larger cities untold trouble
and involving them IN enormous eX-
pense. 1t is gratifying that the fu-
ture of our city is in the hands Of
men willing to devote their ability and
time without selfish consideration to
save the good of the community to
the welfare of all.
Mr.. Manning, under direction of the
Planning Commission, is looking ahead
TO broad avenues and outlets for the
expansion of the future. Unless this
is done now it can not be done with
out much difficulty and great public
expense. And it is likewise a signifi-
cant and gratifying feature of the
work of the commission that the peo-
ple themselves are responding intelli-
gently and in a public spirited way to
the suggestions of the commission.
Harrisburg is no mean city at the
present time and a few years hence
with its population doubled or trebled
the vital need of planning open spaces
and wide main highways must be ap-
parent to,every intelligent person.
BATTING PUBLIC OFFICIALS