The sun., 1919-05-18
SOLDIERS HELPING 20 REBUILD
ARQAS GSVxoEaSveoo UNDERWOOD.
Government, in Reconstructing 5000
Square Miles of Desolation, Copes
With Problem Greater Than Meet
ing German Observation-Disclosures
Develop Self-Help to Re-
markable Degree

United States as an expert in his
field. He was the technical man con-
suited by the New York Board of Esti-
mate when the New York coming law
was framed. He is we'll known as
an architect and city planner He
designed the State capital of WILSON,
son. He has had charge OF the plan
ming of many American cities. includ-
ing Newark. Jersey City, Omaha. Neb,
Cleveland, Ohio.
The main features Of the reconstruc-
ton problem in France are reviewed
by Major Ford in the following inter-
view:
ut Is only by realizing that the dew
astated area is as big as Rhode Island
and Connecticut and part OF Massa-
chusetts combined that Americans can
begin to get an idea of the immensely
Of the reconstruction problem con-
fronting France. They must realize
that more buildings have been de-
stroyed than there are in the whole
Of Greater New York.
THE problem OF reconstruction d.
vides itself into several classes: First.
rebuilding and repairs to destroyed
buildings. of which the total is about
450, 900. The estimated cost Of rebuild
ing is $4,000. 900, 900. Second. restoring
the public works, railroads canals,
highways, water works, ports, &C.. for
which at least another $4,000 900, 900
will be necessary; third, recuperation
from the industrial damage, the de-
struction of factories. material, fin
ished products, power plants, &c. in
GLIDING mines and quarries. which
amounts to another 100000, 600;
fourth, reparation for the agricultural
damage through the ruin OF vast
tract of soil. destruction OF agricul-
tural machinery, loss Of cattle, the re-
moval of tools, which amounts to a
bill of $4,000. 100000.
III you were one OF the 100000 refu-
gees who came back to France from
Germany or one OF the 100000 who
lived in the interior Of France during
the war would you want to return to
your own hearthstone amid the ruins
of the devastated area? II you did re-
turn what conditions would you find
there? How would you get food, coal,
| furniture, working tools? Do you think
YOU would have the heart to stay there
! after arriving-in a desert OF shell
ripped fields and scattered ruins your
own perhaps the only family for miles
! around? Would you have the courage
to become one OF the hardy pioneering
stock that is taking up the burden OF
| life under these conditions? Or would
YOU, as many do. turn sick at heart
| and return to the interior OF France?
"If you decided to stay, what facili-
ties would you find the Government of
France able TO put at your disposal for
resutning the old home life?
what the French Government is
now doing toward reconstruction in
the devastated area can best be un-
derstood by looking at the subject
from the point of view of one of the
individuals concerned. Take the case
of a refugee. either one of the 100000
who came back from Germany by way
of Switzerland or one Of the 1,75o,000
evacuees who went to the interior of
France. If refugee family wants to
20 back to the liberated regions 1t first
goes to the Mayor Of the town where
the family is at present located. They
ask how they can get back and how
they can get furnishings and food
when they arrive.
"The Mayor will be obliged to tell
them that he can do nothing except
give them a rote telling where they
have been living and asking permits
sion for them of the prefecture of the
department where they wish to go
This note will be referred to the sub
project, who will take It up with the
Mayor or the acting Mayor OF the town
the family came from. The granting
OF permission to return will then de-
pend upon food conditions and trans
Iportation, and the sub-prefect has to
get the sanction OF the military au-