The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-06-26

Intelligent concerted action on the pari
OF the community, for study of the
methods OF correction and the ade-
quate provision for the future.
The housing situation In Fairmont
is serious, not alone from the fact OF
the present costs of building mate
rails, but also from the fact that we
have not kept pace in the anticipation
OF our Industrial development and the
necessary industrial housing. There
should always be in every industrial
community, sufficient areas OF mil.
nicipally improved tracts for the i'm.
mediate and economical construction
OF working mems homes. Portland.
Oregon, among others, presents
striking example of the lack of fore.
sight in the field of Industrial hous-
ing. There, when they were faced
with necessity OF Immediate erection
OF hundreds of homes for the accom-
modotion of the ship yard workers. II
was found that the only available sites
tOr such homes had been developed ON
r''"h q scale that the nv--reed cersS
on the properties rendered It impossi-
D.o ~ OGi4u cheap IlOAIos 70 DC Z - 81.
or sold for a profit This area had
been purchased by speculative opera.
tors, and under their direction, inn
proved by the city, with the result
that the lots were all larger than nee
essary for the homes 1t was required
to build. and that the street widths
''-"r" entirely out OF proportion 70
those required In such districts.
The present gateway to the East
f9 a hO Ia .f..rfdH -
should never occur in the growth Of
well ordered city. And Jackson street
has not received the study 1t deserves
In the consideration of the expansion
OF our commercial district. Our hills,
now being developed at will, offer q
fertile field to the genius of the land
scape architect. But even sane mu-
nicipal engineering could transform
them into beautiful residential dis
tricts. easy Of access from the central
part of the city. The present scars
on these hills might well be screened
by the planting OF trees, until perma-
nent treatment could be afforded.
The locations Of our future public
buildings, such as the court house.
city hall, Tor even their combination
into a city county building). the Pub
lie library, auditorium, schools, etc.
and the disposition of Loop park, and
the Coal Run ravine, are all matters
of conjecture. AS Is also, the city's
ability, in the future, to purchase. eco
nomically, sufficient lands for other
parks, and the necessary open spaces
about our public buildings. Within
two years our splendid new bridge
across the river will have BEEN com
pleted, and upon its Completion. we
have the promise of two new railroad
passenger stations. Are these stations
to be located where they will best
serve our interests, or where the rail-
roads may build them with the least
expense and inconvenience to them
selves? And will they be of such char
acter as to harmonise with this bridge.
or will they be Just passenger sta
tons, built from the plans OF the as
sistant to the chief engineers oftfho
railroads and which have served, for
other communities OF like popula.
ton?
These problems are of importance
to the people of Fairmont. II we are
TO grow in rational manner and their
solutions lie only in the preparation
and execution OF Comprehensive city
plan. If this Rotary club is moved to
the adoption OF the idea OF City Plan
ming for Fairmont recommendation Is
made for the appointment Of a com
mittee, within this body. with repre-
sentation from the press, other civic
and welfare Organizations, Industry,
commerce, public utilities. agricuiture
and the professions OF architecture.
education, engineering, law and medi-
cine. This committee shall be known
as the City Planning committee. and
shall be charged with all the work pre-.
paratory 70 the legal establishment OF
a City Planning commission. to the
endof the creation OF city Industrial
" developed to the very limit OF ne
natural resources, renowned for Its
health. marked for is convenience and
cherished for its beautzb