The Washington times., 1923-12-01
JAPANPLANN|NG
FOR BETTER
CITIES
Islands Quickly Getting Over
Effects Of Disastrous
Earthquake.
BY Cosmopolitan News Service.
Copyright, 1928, by Cosmopolitan
News SArvica


News Service.)
TOKYO. Dec. Japan is rapid
ly recuperating from the worst
earthquake disaster in her history
and already 100000 new houses. or
about a third Of the number de-
stroyed, have been built within the
burnt districts OF the capital city.
according to Viscount Shimpei
Goto, minister OF home affairs in
the Yosemite cabinet.
In an exclusive statement, pre-
pared for The Washington Times
on progress made by Japan in re-
covering from the tremendous dam
age which all but blotted out
Tokyo, YokoHaaina and other cities,
Viscount Goto said:
"The population housed in bar.
racks and tents is steadily decreas-
ing. Plans for permanent recon.
struction are being pushed rapidly
now and will shortly receive parlia-
mentary sanction. New thorough
fares win be cut and streets will be
widened In order to relieve conges-
ton and assure greater safety to
our people in the future.
Better Cities Seen.
'Our object now is to lay the
ground plans for newer and better
cities Of the future, leaving much
of the actual rebuilding to the fu-
Iture. And we hope that when our
work is done, the American people
will find reason FOR rejoicing in
having helped us 50 generously In
the hour Of our calamity. 2
Plans started by Viscount Goto
Ssn~
E. Beard, American municipsl ex-
pert, when GOto was mayor Of
Tokyo, have been taken up again
now that the necessity for rebuild
ing. the ruined capital city confront
the Japanese people.
Il am grateful for an opportunity
to thank the American nation in
the, name of Japan for the generous
aid rendered in the time OF our
great Distress said Viscount Goto.
All Japanese, rich and poor. have
been profoundly moved by the spon-
taneous expression of sympathy and
good will on the part of America.
The material aid rendered by
America has been immense, and we
have been encouraged in our work
OF reconstruction by the knowl-
edge that we have SO many good
Ped Cross Help.
/. TT is impossible to enumerate
in a brief space the important re-
lief and the rehabilitation enter
prisess which have been carried out
since the disaster. Every branch
Of the government, imperial and
municipal, has applied itself to the
tasks before it, A large part of
the emergency relief burden has
been lifted from our shoulders by
the gifts of the American Red
Cross.
Through relief stations sufferers
are being supplied with clothes and
assistance is being given in the
form Of building materials to
numerous housing projects. Nat
urally with our railways, telegraph
lines. wharves and shipping dis
organized confusion inevitably ex-
listed in the beginning, but the
taking full account Of our diff
culties. helped us at every point.
The cooperation OF the American
ambassador and his entire staff has
been perfect in every detail.
I'VE have from the beginning
laid great stress on the work Of
permanent rehabilitation and have
sought to avoid the waste Of sup
plies by using them to help fani.
lies restore their homes and nor
NAL life.
Water Works Restored.
1.-THE water works system in
Tokyo has been restored to full
service and the supply Of pure
water carefully safeguarded. There
have been no epidemics in the
stricken area. The, street car serv.
ice has been re-established over
large sections Of Tokyo and YokO-
hama and within a short time all
Of the linees will be reopened
again.
Railway connections with other
parts Of Japan have been restored,
and the movement Of freight is
rapidly approaching normal.
"Publlc utilities which produce
revenue will first receive our atten.
ton. AS to costly improvements
which do not produce revenue we
shall proceed cautiously as finances
permit.
we hope that when our work
is done, the American people will
find reason for rejoicing in having
helped us so generously in the hour
of our calamity"