Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-01
THREAT TO SHR|NES
ROUS|NG ENGLAND
PENIS Country Threatened
by New Road-0xford In
periIed by Factory.
BY A. G. GARDINER.

M Radio to The Star
LONDON, June S0.-Great public in
fgnation which Americans who rever-
ence the history Of their country can
not fail to share has been aroused by
the threatened dissertation of Jordans,
the famous QuakerS' meeting house at
Henn, BuckinghamShire, where William
Penn is buried, anc where ttmbers OF
the Maytiower form part Of the sane
teary.
Jordans is one of the most honored
places of pilgrimage in this country, es-
pkcially to American visitors. 1t lies IN
the heart of the beautiful hill and wood
land country 80 miles west of London,
a. district rich in memories of Penn.
Hampden and Milton, all Of whom lived
Id the neighborhood.
The local rural council decided TO
make a new road through the site OF
JerdanS and persists in spite Of public
meetings Of protest. An appeal was
made this week to the government TO
intervene and forbid projected vandal-
ism. but IL Is doubtful whether the pow
erS Of the local authority can be over
ridden.
Other Places Imperfect.
This incident brings into acute prom
iY1ence the widespread menace to some
Of the most treasured possessions in the
country. The menace is result Of the
remarkable postwar development IN
industry Hitherto the industrial &C
tftity of the country centered in North
England. where, owing to the proximity
of coal all the great staple trades like
iron, steel shiphuilding, textiles, pottery
and mining were assembled.
Ever since the war this vast hive
OF activity has been under cloud of
deep depression which largely continues.
Meanwhile. an enormous impulse pre-
TaslS in new industries, such as electrical
nlptor. artificial silk and engineering
which, being less dependent on coal,
have invaded the rural south, which
hitherto has been almost entirely ag-
rieulturai The result is that while Lam
cashire and Yorkshire are Stagnant,
small country towns in the south are
booming and developing everywhere into
industrial centers with disastrous con-
sequences TO the romantic and historic
interests of the countryside.
The fate of Oxford is creating deep
est concern. 1t not only is one of the
most famous seats of learning in the
w1rld. but also is one Of the most
beautiful cities. But since the war, the
greatest motor factory in the country
has developed on its outskirts and Nor
ris is making Oxford what Ford has
made Detroit. His example is being
followed and there is every prospect
that IN few years the towers of Ok
ford viii be ringed around with facto-
ries.
Try to Control Invasion.
Belated efforts are being made to
keep the industrial invasion at dis
tahce by preservation Of belt Of pas
toTal country around the city and a
trNst has been formed for that pur-
Pose, but million and a quarter dol
lars are necessary to carry the scheme
through and meantime land values
are rising and industriaiism is over
spreading the countryside.
What is happening at oxford is hap
pening in most OF the beauty spots Of
Southern England. Kent, known as the
garden of England, is now the scene
of enormous enterprises which are ex-
pected 10 convert the coast from Dover
tosDeal into Liverpool and Manches-
ter This week the attention of the gov
erpment was drawn TO the fact that
II present tendencies continue the whole
Thames Valley will become defaced with
scattered factories and workmen's dwell
tnes
This astonishing growth and prosper
IVY ia k41C C1NA44 IA 1sAAk4E2S& GS IQSA1N
pared with the stagnation of the indus
trial north is the most remarkable
phase Of postwar England. It is not
suggested. of course. that the tendency
Of Industrial activity to move south
ward should be resisted, but the public
mind is much concerned that the move
ment should be controlled and that the
amenities and beauties of the country
side should be preserved.
Unfortunate the authority Of the
cantral government In these matters Is
very restricted and 1t Is possible. as in
the case of Jordans, for an ignorant
rural council 70 outrage priceless ma
tionai giories But indignation aroused
in the present case is likely TO lead
TO d powerful demand that the govern
ment iraugurate policy designed to
save Southern England from becoming
black country ike the north.
tCoDyrigtt- 1921