Evening star., 1933-09-28
COORDINATE PLAN |
FOR NATION URGED
Cyrus Kehr, Washington Law.
yer, Proposes Broadening
of Regional Planning.
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

OF the United States. He has chosen
the present period of national recovery
for a reStatement Of what he calls "a
nation plan" The concept is discussed
in a book under that title published by
the Oxford University Press, New York
City.
MY aim" says Mr.. Keh-, sis to point
thu way to the carrying on OF pubic
or civic work, starting with the larger
area and planning progressively down.
ward to smaller and smaller features or
factors. 1t is my conviction that the
best communication over the area, the
best coordination and most economi-
cal construction, maintenance and
service will be had through this broader
planning.
ANY area, whatever its size, should
be planned, not in parts or fragments,
but with a general plan structure ex-
tending over that area and consisting
of major factors in relation with which
subordinate planning may later be de-
veloped.
THE dominating consideration Of my
proposal is the improvement OF COM
munication. better distribution OF in
creasing population, better use OF
land An incidental aim is to compare
nation planning with city planning"
Capitals Needs Considered.
In his book the author particularly
considers the needs of the Nations
Capital the City Of Washington. A
foreword for the volume has been pre-
pared by Frederick A. Delano, chair
man of the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission. An endorsement
from Raymond Unwin Of London also
Is included.
Mr.. Kehr's contention is that local
and regional planning are not enough
and that the Nation itself. as whole,
should be subject to logical and eco
nomical Encouragement. The relation
of integral factors to each other is too
important to be left to chance evolu-
tion. Conscious application of reason
to the entire problem is necessary. For
example, lit is probable that some cities
have grown large through unwarranted
artificial conditions which favored these
locations, and the Nation needs more
focal pointS-more cities--than the
present number, in order that the popu-
lation may be distributed more nearly
evenly throughout the Nation" No
single community, however willing, is
competent to attempt the whole task.
On the contrary, since the proportions
of the problem are national. the ap-
proach to the solution must be ma
tional.
Triangular Plan.
In the same way, lines Of communi-
cation and transportation are inter-
related and should be viewed in that
regard Mr. Kehr has made a careful
study of routes as they are, and on
the basis of his findings suggests a
philosophy Of scientific change. The
f,o~ IL - 1o
Nation plan" he says, will be triangu-
la-. the location and formation of the
t":angles being controlled by the loca-
ton of the plan 'centers' or focal
points But the triangles will not be
equal for the typography of the ma
tiona! area VII not permit equal
sCacing Of the 'centers or focal
points
every center is to stand related to
its neighboring or surrounding centerS.
Between any given center and every one
CT those neighbor centers such relation
is to be intensified by the most direct
and easiest communication. The chief
factors of this communication will be
q highway, railway, and waterway
(When the latter is feasible). Theo-
retica!ly. every such communication
should be on straight line
IF We now assume that the best
communication has been provided on
all such lines, every center Will have
the shortest and easiest possible COM
munication with its immediate neighbor
centers and also with any distant center
on the entire map. the course Of such
distant center being composed OF a
series or group of communication lines
placed end-to-end and connecting
corresponding number OF immediate
eenterS."
Tri-Cities Grouped.
The theory which is Mr.. Kehr's
foundation is the ancient principle OF
geometry, whereby it is established that
a straight line is the shortest distance
between two points. An ideal diagram
Anatic map shows illustrative triangles
whose points are Pittsburgh, Erie and
Cleveland: Cleveland, Toledo and Co.
iumbus; Columbus. Fort Wayne and
Richmond; Richmond, Indianapolis and
Cincinnati. Within the triangles, local
planning would be left in charge OF
local interests.
OF course, the distribution of electric
power by trunk Transmission lines, as
well as airways and telegraph and tee
phone systems, would be subject to the
ssame principle of more economic re-
ARRANGEMENT. Particularly with regard
Ito the location of power-generating
plants, Mr.. Kehr advocates the tri-
The new deal Of President Roosevelt's
administration, Mr.. Kehr believes,
should include consideration Of some
such inclusive idea. Once the expert
'ment were tried and its merit made
manifest, other countries, he anticipates.
would apply it to their own areas, and
thus the plan would have international
application.
Should Be Example.
With respect to Washington, Mr..
Kehr says: The Capital o. cur coun-
try should command the interest, pride
and solicitude of all the people in every
part of our country. Our Capital
CITY should exp, ess our highest and cur
best civic, social and patriotic senti-
ment In city building and city ad-
p,inistration. Washington should serve
6 an example and inspiration to all
other cities of the country To the
world, our Capital City should symbolic
our highest national spirit and ideals.
Therefore. as far as possible, Washing
ton should be made an ideal city"
He calls for the elimination of over
crowded, antiquated and unsafe public
buildings; the enlargement OF ROCK
Creek Park; repair of city streets and
a larger appropriation LOT lne Teplace-
rlant Of trees: better business tu ldings
downtown: better school Buildings to
take the pace OF ugly and hazardous
buildings still in use; public bath ng
beach; an impro.ed policy OF parkland
preservation; more attractive ap-
breaches to the city: "a form OF mu-
nicipal government or administration
suited to the unique nature of the city"
and an educated public opinion on all
the city's problems.