Evening star., 1939-02-05
New Air-Roid Dangers
Alter City Planning
Bp Frederic ,. Hdskin.

In q world which seems to DO gone mad
on the subject Of warike aggression and
especially in Europe where 10 much fear
Of air raids has been felt and frantic
arrangements for defense and subter-
ranean protection have been mnde. 1t Is
hopeful to realize that cities still look
forward to peace. Great cities would be
the first objectives OF air raids Indeed,
during the Munich crisis such sacred pre-
cincts as the Green Park in London were
dug into trenches where the populace
might shelter. And yet 80 bright spark
of hope exists that the cities 90 on plan
ming improvements, looking TO the fu-
ture, as though nothing threatened.
Probably the most interesting pro-
posal now under consideration is one for
drastic changes in the city Of Paris
most interesting to Americans and other
non-French people. because 1t has been
said that France Is every mans second
country.
The new plan which has been put for
ward by architects Of the several munich
pal councils having charge of such mat
ters provides in chief for the cutting Of
a new, broad avenue from the Bourse to
the Avenue de IOpera. This would mean
the demolition of hundreds Of old houses
Of historic interest, but, of first impor-
tance, it would mean cutting this new
thoroughfare straight through the Palais
Royal. This might be compared to a
proposal at Washington to cut street
through composite of the White House
and the Capitol. The whole character of
the historic Palais Royal would be al
tered and large section of its structure
completely obliterated
Another part of the general scheme
calls for the utter disruption Of the Fau-
bourg st. German, certainly one Of the
most famous sections of one Of the
worlds most famous cities. The cutting
through Of new streets would entail the
demolition Of structures of immense in
terest historically and architecturally.
The atmosphere of the famous quarter
would be altered if not destroyed.
Yet another part of the scheme pro-
vides for subway which would emerge
at Les Halles This would involve many
changes at the vast building which is the
central market Of all Paris. And the
Place des Victories also comes under the
plans of the revisionists who would COM
pletely alter the nature of that neigh
borhood.
The scheme is referred to as proposal
and it is probable that it will remain in
the proposal stage indefinitely because
Paris has referendum system concern
ing such projects which is probably
unique in the world. Public opinion must
indorse the scheme or any part Of 1t
before execution may proceed. There is
a law which provides that the authorities
Of the city must make public any pro-
posal which would change the aspect Of
allowed for protest. Any Partisan may go
to his neighborhood town hall and there
register his protest, setting down in writ.
ing his objections. If the number of pro-
tests is large enough, In proportion to
the population of the city, or even OF
the regions to be affected, the proposal
fails. 1t is expected that this referen-.
dunn will save the Palais Royal and prob
ably the Faubourg st. Germain II moth
ing more.
In no other city is there such an organ
lied manner Of protest. Had there been
In London it is doubtful whether the
Adelphi would have been destroyed, II
Regent street and Picadilly Circus would
have been remodeled, if Berkeley Square
and Park Lane would have been sub
jected to changes which have completely
destroyed many historic architectural
landmarks.
The Partisan referendum system was
adopted after the extraordinary renova-.
tions OF Baron Haussmann, who did the
most comprehensive job of city chang
ing Of any man Of modern times. In
1853 he became prefect of the Seine,
which gave him control of Paris. He
launched upon projects which cost Q
billion francs amid a storm Of protest.
Haussmann was man of broad dreams
who had envisioned a dream Paris, but
to create 1t. 1t was necessary to resort to
wholesale demolition and what amounted
IN the minds Of many to vandalism and
even sacrilege for, as to the latter, he
drove an avenue straight through con-
vent, and a cemetery, consecrated
ground. incidentally, Baron Haussmann,
in spite of his German name, was q
born Partisan and Protestant.
With the passage Of the years, most
Parisians forgot the destruction and were
we'll enough pleased with the improve
ments. 1t was Baron Haussmann who
created the Bois de Boulogne. He tore
down old houses and inns that Francois
Villon had known, but, in their place, he
created such thoroughfares as the Boule-
ward st. Michel-the famous Boul Mich
which figures in so many late 10th CEN
tury tales of Paris life. He built the
Opera and gave Paris a gigantic and
modern sewer and water system, some-,
thing sorely needed. It was not until
years after that his work was 50 thor,
oughly appreciated that the Boulevard,
Haussmann was named in his honor and
he was elected to the French Academy
one Of the Forty Immortals. However.
it still is said Of him, as sort Of epitaph,
that he was the man who did more good
and more harm to Paris than any one,
who ever lived. -,
y y
His story recalls that Of Alexander
Shenherd uY,o was Coverpor ~ <ha ME