Evening star., 1927-05-10

wears, pointed out that when the first
planning conference was held 10 years
ago, virtually nothing had been ac
| complished in systematic way. lie
said:
with the exception of the McMil'
| Ian plan for comprehensive park
system for Washington U9oD, pre-
| pared by a distinguished group, Burn
| hams plan for San Francisco 19o5l,
and a few tentative and unofficial
efforts, no comprehensive city plans,
as we think of them today, had been
| prepared,
''The record shows that 157 cities
have been broadly replanned, for most
of which the accompanying reports
have been printed. These plans in
clude cities in 81 States. The great
est number of plans were prepared
for cities of $4,000 to 100000 popula-
ton.
Zoning Ordinances Adopted.
"Official zoning ordinances have
been adopted by 400 cities One-half
the urban population of the United
States is now living in zoned cities.
All States but II have Zoned cities.
New York leading with II.
City-planning commissions nave
been established in 403 cities, all but
six States have them. Federations of
these city-planning commissions are
found in Massachusetts. Pennsylvania,
Ohio. California, Indiana and Kansas.
In Massachusetts, planning boards are
made mandatory in every city and
town of 10000 or more.
1.-The National Conference on City
Planning was organized in 1910, pre-
ceded by a preliminary meeting and
exhibition at Washington in 1909, and
has held annual sessions without a
break. Most appropriately the con-
ference Is returning this year to
Washington for it's present session.
These annual conferences, many city.
planning exhibits, and the mainte-
nance of an office and the work of
organization through the year have
involved in all, the collection and
expenditure since 1910 of sum under
S100. 900. In other words, less than
SIS 600 per year. 1t is a great record
of achievement at small cost and
gratifying beyond words
Lists City Problms.
In conclusion, Mr.. Nolen listed mu-
nicipal problems that still cry out for
solution, namely:
How to relieve traffic congestion
and increase safety in city streets.
''How to relieve congested working
and living conditions.
How to control and regulate the
size of cities and provide a wiser
method for the distribution of popular
tion.
"How to combine a new, modern
and appropriate beauty with Amer
nf a
neither follows after the practical
ends to be served nor precedes them.
LET us be honest: There is no easy
solution to these grave municipal
problems, no cheap solution, no COM
plete solution and no permanent So
luton. Some of the requirements of
true progress in this field may, how
ever, be stated. They are:
Better Government Suggested.
Better and still better city govern
ment and administration, combined
with regional government and admin
istration.
More city, State and regional plan.
ming commissions, with better sup
port.
Comprehensive city plans COM
bined with comprehensive financing
only large cities, but also those of
smaller population.
1.-THE enactment Of planning legis-
lation by more States and cities and
its wider application.
"The planning and building of in
dividual and distinctive new towns.
satellites and suburbs, to meet the
new conditions of modern life.
Larger support of the National
Conference on City Planning, in or
der that it may render more service,
extend the influence Of city planning
and encourage better and better quail
ity in planning activities for cities and
regions"
The letter from the President was
read by Mr.. Nolen, at the close OF the
luncheon, in the course of which
various local officials and citizens join
ed in welcoming the city planners to
Washington. After expressing regret
at not being able to address the con-
ference, Mr.. Coolidge said in his
letter to Mr.. Nolen that the work
being done and planned here is aimed
of which all our citizens may be proud
and suitable expression of ideals and
achievements"
Il have been especially interested"
the Presidents letter continued, 'in
the application of far-sighted and
comprehensive planning to the ad-
ministration Of the Nations business.
Your efforts to secure the application
of this principle to the development
of our rapidly growing towns and
cities are deserving of the utmost
success / am sure your deliberation
will bring about an exchange of
ideas and of experience which will
be of mutual benefit. And, I hope,
you will carry away a definite inter-
est in the city OF Washington and
an enthusiastic determination to aid
in the accomplishment of whatever
may be necessary to make it worthy
of our country"