Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-27

outline the difficulties in the way of the he
elsewhere and what can be done in
Omaha.
BY ERNEST SCHREIBER.
When Lewis and Clarke stood on
the bluffs of the Missouri on their
pilgrimage to the western coast they
must have had some premise of the
wonderful possibilities of the coun-
try over which their glance wan
dered. They must have prophesied
to some extent the enormous strides
that such a country would make in
the next century. The eyes of such
dreamers as Lewis and Clark must
have visualized. in spite of the wild
ness and savagery of the outlook,
the future of such center of empire,
wh2ae richness must have appealed
seThem in its glorious possibilities.
The enthusiast and dreamer of to-
day, glittering as his vision may be,
will seem but short-sighted
prophet tomorrow. The future Of
Omaha, Neb., and America promise
achievements that it is impossible to
estimate today.
Other cities are larger than Oma-
ha. Many cities ~e older, their his
tories reaching ia back into the
past. Many are better developed,
more beautiful architecturally, more
advanced artistically, more promi-
nent commercially. Many are
greater manufacturing and industrial
centers. None, however, have a
better territory surrounding, one
more teeming with conservative, un-
variable wealth or more productive
in the essentials to the life of Amer
ica. None have more solid, sub
stantial growth in prospect, unaf-
fected by changing economic condl-
tons. None are more centrally To-
Gated in relation to the real wealth
of the country. Never better was
this shown than during the late war.
Undisturbed by financial changes.
unswerved by industrial disturb
ances, Omaha kept on steadily han
ding the supplies of foodstuffs that
fed :he nation and the allies. The
termination of the war did not affect
the city in the least, as the never
ceasing supply of agricultural prod
ucts continue to pour through its
granaries, mills, factories and stock
yards regardless of war or peace.
Remarkable Opportunities.
Situated in the heart of the world S
most fertile and prosperous territory,
with place on an inland waterway
that will one day be the method of
{nsportation of industrial products,
:. u adequate rail facilities in every
...ass4ion, it was inevitable that
Omahs should become one of the
leading ! cities of America. Its
geography has made Omaha posi-
Bile, and its physical topography will
make Omaha one of the most beau
tiful cities in the world, if, the op-
portunities open TO the people ale
grasped and accomplished. Lewis
and Clark, prophets as they were,
could not see Omaha as it is today.
Men of today, with prophetic vision
as great as that of Lewis and Clark
can only grasp at the gigantic pos
sibilities of the future. But, influ-
enced by the rapid strides of the past
wears, we are a little more able 10
prophesy rightly, and little more
fearless in our prophesying.
The realization that the cities were
to outstrip their facilities soon TN
less some action were taken, came a
few years ago, to most of the cities
OF America. Up to that time, most
Of the cities. like Topsy, had Just
growed." They were rapidly becom.
ing overcrowded and unhealthful
Men with vision began to realize that
steps must be taken to regulate the
growth so that the city would grow
according to rules and laws which
would make it habitable in the future
and not a mere pile of steel anc
brick where men would stagnate ane
die.
About Civic Pride.
City plans and commissions for
their development were the result
The few cities who were the first
to get the vision, grew more beauti.
full and livable. They expanded in.
dustrially and financially. They
grew in population and their citi
zens were happy and healthtul be-
cause the city provided for theil
recreation and housing. Their
homes were improved, their manu-
.facturers restricted to definite areas
qiLiing heights were defined so a:
to permit of light and air to th'
workers. The dweller in the city
began to take pride in the appear
ance of his city, and in time the
idea spread.
Omaha's City Planning commits
sion was organized in 1916. AS II
all such movements, its growth ha;
been comparatively slow. All tht
people of the city have not seen the
vision. A city cannot be rebuilt o.
remodeled in a day. Much stud.
must be given as to what changes o
improvements are best for the tu
ture. A complete city plan is no
the result of a few years, but o
generations. Unwise city planning
, might be made detractive to growth
Every city has a different posi-
bility in its city plan, and wei
developed plan used in one cit.
might be an entire misfit in anoth
.r. With exhaustive study of con
! ditions as they are, wise planning
Is to the future and above all, CO
operation by the people of the city
something may be evolved that will
make a city beautiful and attractiv
above all others in future years
Omaha has the opportunity. Will tn
people take hold of it and make TIL
Sision a possibility?
New Exchange Members.