Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-22
POINT TO CAPITAL
ASPLANNED CITY
Richard B. Watrous Found
People Interested in and
Proud of Washington.
TELLS OF RECENT TOURS

Recognizing the National Capital as a
model for city beautiful development,
authorization for the creation of COM
missions on city planning for cities of
10000 population and over in Indiana
is to be urged in the next session of
the legislature of that state. accord
ing to Richard B. Watrous, secretary
Of the American Civic Association. Mr..
Watrous has just returned from visits
in Virginia and Indiana. He stated
that civic leaders in those states hold
Washington to be one of the finest ex-
amples Of city planning in the country.
Mr.. Watrous cited Hopewell, Va, the
new munitions city, as an example Of
efficient and inefficient city planning.
He compared the sections laid out by
the du Pont corporation, villages
known as a. and 3D." for its opera
tfves. on the one hand and the munich
pality of Hopewell, which lies between
them.
Small Houses Comfortable.
The houses erected by the company,
some of them in rows, but most of
them small detached cottages, were
adapted in every way for the comfort,
convenience and health of the occu-
pants,'' he said "Of course, they are
structures somewhat temporary in
character" he continued, but are well
put together, with pine board parti-
tons. III units of from four to six
rooms for each family. Each house has
bathroom, with the best of furnish
fngs; Is supplied with electric light,
pure water and connections for gas to
be used in cooking. The plumbing of
oh hnlISe. ia inS cd mn
and it was evident from an observa-
ton of the children living in those
homes that they were healthy and
happy in an uncommon degree.
THE conditions. which prevailed,
however, in the municipality of Hope
WELL" Mr.. Watrous went on, lis typical
of that type which generally follows
the rise of new town. There was
no order in the laying out of the
streets, nor in the erection of the
buildings, although since the fire last
December the wooden shacks used for
stores have disappeared and, to a de-
gree, are being replaced by brick
structures. The administration of the
pare with the regulations that are ex-
ercised for the benefit of the industrial
villages maintained by the company.
Water Supply Inferior.
1.-THE municipality has its own water
supply, but it is of an inferior quality,
the power station being set in low
valley and surrounded by the houses
of the poorest type in the town. In
fact, the water station is on the very
edge of what is known as Death val
ley a name won because of the crimes
committed in that locality in the early
days Of the town.
From Virginia Mr.. Watrous went to
Indiana, there to join the president
and other officers of the Indiana state
Real Estate Association, who were
conducting what they called 'presi-
Dental tour" of the state, including a
visit to each city where was located a
real estate board. The theme for dis
cussion at these meetings was CITY
Planning" and the talks were OF an
educational character relating TO the
building of cities in general
Indiana Trip Inspiring.
1.-THE trip through Indiana was most
inspiring" said Mr.. Watrous. 1T was
a missionary trip of the highest order
We were conveying a message to bust
ness men who were glad to receive It.
IT related to the more sensible build
ing of cities, providing for their de-
yelopment for the years when are TO
come, along comprehensive lines, ana
which would take into consideration