Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-04
"ThC Ugly CitYN

7 S man ever justified in knocking his own
home town or city to outsiders? The
question is suggested by striking article in
the July Atlantic Monthly written by Henry
Justin Smith, news editor of the Chicago
Daily News, in which, under the suggestive
caption, The Ugly City" Chicago is de-
scrbed in language vivid in bringing out
its repellent features as to remove all doubt
that ii has grown up without perceptible sense
of proportion or the least care for civic in
terest and attractveness. Evidently MIR.
Smith answered the question for himself
afrmatively, and if home faultfinders should
arise to rebuke him. no doubt he will be ready
to Justify himself with ST. Pauls answer to
the Galatians Am l therefore your enemy,
because tell YOU the TRUTH" Or to give them
the assurance that Paul gave to the Corin-
thians: Il speak not this to condemn you
for | have said before, that We are in our
hearts to die and live with you
One may walk for miles in the city says Mt
Smith, and never see clean sidewalk or
plot of greenery in many sections. It's few
natural beauties are scattered that they
appear almost to be a mockery. The ugly
Elevated" has taken charge of Chicagos four
main thoroughfares Ugly factories, brew
cries. freight yards, brick heaps, crowded and
abused structures have taken complete pos
session. Two million people have rushed to
Chicago to win bread, and in the turmoil OF
doing so have sought shelter, and no more.
hence, Chicago becomes every year more con-
spicuously the boarding-house Of the mid
land Being clearinghouse Chicago can
not expect much. Its transient residents do
not feel any direct responsibility; they will
stand it as long ashley can, and then go else
where. Mr.. Smith attributes the fundamental
cause of Chicago's ugliness to neglect-"that
is what maddens one about Chicago's desola-
ton; the casuaness of it, the knowledge that
Chicago could do better if it would"
But despite all that he has said, Mr. Smith
foresees an awakening in the future and feels
safe in making the prediction, for the same
reason that he feels justified in recording the
CHASTITY Impressions of prevailing conditions,
that there is an illimitable future for people
who. encouraged by the admirable optimism
OF ii few public-spirited citizens, have the be-
ginnngs of vision. Something mighty is
stirring under our complex surface" he says
Hands are beginning to grope through the
gloom and clamor. And Chicago, whose
magnificent spirit is proved by it's gayety it's
wit, its flair in the face of cheerlessness and
slovenliness, will some day flame out in re-
volt against niggardly property owners, Shift
less Aldermen. and drowsy or venal municipal
bureaus. Sooner later, perhaps through
P'oN~"'NH
| some event as profoundly moving as the war
| 1T will be revealed to people that they
| live in an ugly city, and that there is no need
| of it. They will make clean sweep"
| Mr.. Smith has the right idea Cities must
be shocked into sensibilty by a graphic
! showing up of their imperfections, if they
cannot otherwise be aroused from their dor.
NANCY. Chicago is not the only ugly city in
America. There are many others with feat,
| ures just as hideous and it is no far journey
| to find them. The is generally the
| same-neglect, and that largely for the rea.
| son that nobody cares"