The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1915-01-11
FEATURES IN TOWN BUILDING

MOT ONLY in our country. bu
~ all over the world cities hav,
come to realize that life in the cit!
has reached a point where something
must be done to relieve the conges
ton and prevent the large citie,
from eventually stranglinE them
selves.
Why do We find in every large
American city districts called slums!
sections where thousands Of large
families live under conditions that
not only breed vice and crime in that
particular locality. but demoralize
the people and lower the moral tone
Of the whole city. Owing to the
greed Of real estate spectators. the
buildings have been piled upon build.
ings and streets made narrow in
order to get as many tenants as pos
sible on every foot Of ground. Con-
sequently population in certain dis
tricts has become so congested that
the enforcement of sanitary regula-
tions has been made practically i'm
possible.
Slums, dives, unsanitary dwellings,
lack of parks, Fairgrounds and need
ed breathing spaces" vacant lots
covered with unsightly billboards or
trash piles--all are the result OF a
system of city building In which the
rights of the city dweller have been
ignored or made secondary. In form
er years the individual property ow-
ner was permitted to develop his ad-
dition to the city according to his
own sweet will and in whatsoever
he thought would bring the
largest pecuniary benefits.
But a new era has dawned in city
planning and town building. Wiser
men with ideas and views reaching
beyond the immediate present have
been trying to solve the problem of
The ideal development Of the city as
whole. and the building not only
or the present, but for all future
ime.
City builders are now convinced
If the desirability Of town planning
llong lines of healthfulness and also
beauty. both from an economic and
sthetic standpoint. American cities
laye been aroused to the necessity
# having plans for future buildings
o prevent the congestion of popula-
ion, to provide for the proper hous-
ng of all the people-the rich and
be poor.
People are learning some new
hings about city building and city ,
evelopment; they are learning that
II need play as we'll as we'll as en-
loyment; that children's Fairgrounds
re as necessary as schools for the
elfare of the modern community;
lat the business street and factory
istrict must be made beautiful as
ell as useful.
The new city planning Idea Is the
'sult OF many years Of effort in
,rious lines of Improvement work;
It city planning. as understood to-
ny, is still in its infancy, and many
'oblsms remain to be solved. But
big start has been made, and many
the essential features have been
orked out and point the way for the
Hiding and development of ideal
The importance Of the work Ia
'ing to call into action and service 4
% best minds and the most earnest
orkers. Hard-headed business men
o. are going to encourage city plan.
ng and city building along modern
les. comfort and beauty is going
lead in commercial affairs.
Town planning and building natur.
ly fall into two classes--the modi-
alton OF conditions In old cities to
BET modern requirements. and the
aiming and protection of new
wns upon such lines.
- iii
In Germany, France and England
ere are numerous examples OF the
'sterful town planning. and Ger.
IN cities especially have shown re-
'rkable far-sightedness In making i
DIVISIONS for future growth and on.
nsion. Under the co-partuership