ever refer to you as the legislature that was far-seeing and wise enough to extend the capitol grounds-what man is there of you that will lose this, the greatest opportunity of his life to render a great public service? Listen not to the voice of selfishness. Tolerate not the 'invisible' man. For more than ten years practically all legislation and all political agitation in this country have been against human selfishness. Let it proceed. The rights of all men must be put above the selfishness of a few men. Go forward. Your duty, as it seems to me, is plain."

The legislature responded splendidly. Over a term of ten years by annual levy a million and a quarter dollars were made available. Adjacent lots were purchased or condemned and streets vacated, the final result being capitol grounds seventyone (71) acres in extent, an area not equalled, I believe, in any other state.

Governor Clarke's candidacy for re-election was bitterly opposed on the sole issue presented by his action in this splendid venture. He met the issue fearlessly on the stump and triumphed gloriously.

The enlarged capitol grounds as now beautified not only give the capitol building a setting in keeping with the nobility of the structure and its fine purposes, but have served to transform half a city. More important still is the influence down the long procession of the years of so noble an example of civic beauty with which are associated so many famous names. On the bluff of the southern margin of the grounds, amidst beauty that more than fulfills his pioneer dream, is the grave of Alexander Scott.

It is interesting to note how so splendid an enterprise by the state, long urged without avail, was suddenly brought to the stage of action out of a stand taken by the National Sculpture Society as to the standards that should control in landscape architecture.

The state is indebted to the society in that its fidelity to its standards had a direct influence in helping to bring to fruition. one of the most notable civic achievements in the nation, and too, for the assigning by the society to the commission and the state at this critical moment Edward L. Masqueray, whose brilliant talents were equal to the great task.

scene.

The French General Gauraud, not long since standing and looking off from Iowa's capitol building over the magnificent concourse, remarked: "Oh, this reminds me of home!" He little knew how much France had indeed contributed to the Before the beautiful capitol building, designed by a French architect - Piquenard-situated in a city bearing a French name, on soil trod first among white men by Pere Marquette, in the heart of the most fertile section of the Louisiana Purchase, bought of France in 1803, on grounds magnificently planned by the Frenchman, Masqueray, born in Dieppe, no wonder General Gauraud, as he gazed at this thing of beauty spread out before his eyes, felt tugging at his heart subtle reminders of the homeland beyond the Atlantic.

In Conclusion

There came to my desk recently a folder, charmingly illustrating an Austrian city of about 140,000 population. Issued in support of a bond issue that was imminent, this folder of course aroused a proper measure of caution. Even so, I have seldom had brought home to me so vividly how far most American cities lag in that forethought out of which civic beauty is born.

The population of this Austrian city is about the same as that of Des Moines. Yet I know of no American city of like size that can exhibit even remotely an equal consideration for the element of beauty. The loveliness of its parks, the nobility of its public structures, its open spaces, trees and vistas, its restful skyline, its groups of statuary, the decorative quality of the architecture of its business blocks, brought to my contemplation of so much of civic charm an element positively poignant-a saddening realization of how far, indeed, we on this side have yet to go.

Looking for the city in question in my encyclopedia, I had my answer. It had its roots in the deep, rich soil of the Renaissance, that marvelous era when the souls of men and women were seized with a new creative fervor, a hunger for beauty and its free expression, all the keener that it had just merged from the shadow of the Middle Ages. The area marked the resurgence in the life of the world of the Greek spirit, the glory of whose achievement has been alike the despair and the in

spiration of later centuries. And so my Austrian city grew out of that stimulating atmosphere.

But perhaps some 100 per cent American will say to his neighbor: "I would not exchange the freedom, the humane spirit, the equality of opportunity, the personal initiative of the average American community for the whole of Austria." Nor would I, but need one exclude the other? Profiting by the experience of the old world, and touched by the spirit of the Renaissance which is immortal and belongs to the race, may we not rebuild our American cities, fusing the eagerness of that great period with the daring and initiative of the Twentieth Century?

And there are signs that this is exactly what is taking place. We are fast acquiring the technique and the trained leaders. A hunger for civic beauty is permeating the nation. A deeper purpose and determination are abroad in American cities. The conviction is spreading in all ranks that civic beauty is a cause of infinite importance, to which men and women may worthily dedicate their lives and fortunes, as to a great public service.

THE CITY PLAN OF DES MOINES

By C. A. Taubert, Acting Secretary, Des Moines Zoning Commission, Des Moines, Iowa

The City of Des Moines in many respects is very unusual. Its population is not large, but its area is greater than that of Boston, Pittsburgh, Buffalo or San Francisco. It is a capital city, and unlike many others, possesses a certain dignity of appearance which gives it distinction. It functions as the insurance center of the West, as well as a center for farm publications. Moreover, Des Moines has industries and encourages their development, yet thus far, fortunately, has escaped the inevitable blight of ugliness and squalor, that usually follows industrial growth in American cities.

There is evidence everywhere, too, that the people of Des Moines have more than a casual interest in its well being. They have purchased houses in such numbers, that two years ago, Des Moines had the greatest home ownership per capita of any city in the United States. This accounts somewhat for the well kept residence districts, absence of tenements and general appearance of the city.

In 1846, when Indian reign ceased and civil life began, the first plat of Des Moines was laid out. This original plat of the city shows evidence of some forethought; the main street being made 100 feet in width, leading from the river front to the Court House Square. One reason that was given for this was to avoid congestion of ox-teams going to the wharves. The two streets on either side of the main street were made eighty-two and one-half (822) feet wide, and all other streets were made sixty-six (66) feet wide. Furthermore, practically all the blocks were made 250 feet square, making ideal conditions for the present down-town business district.

It was after this first plat that the haphazard growth of the city began, the result being that many streets are too narrow, nearly 1,500 jogs and dead-ends appear, and other defects are found which have affected development in different parts of the city.

The following facts have contributed to the growth and evolution of sentiment for city planning, and the story of the movement as it is given here up to the appointment of the present Zoning Commission, is based on the paper written and presented by Mr. James B. Weaver, (a menber of the Town Planning Commission, and a man who has dedicated much of his time and thought to the problems confronting this city), before the International Convention of City Planning in New York City last April.

In 1908, there existed numerous civic organizations, all striving for the same result, but working in conflict, the three major organizations were:

The Des Moines Commercial Club.

The East Des Moines Commercial League

The Greater Des Moines Committee (of 30 leading citizens). At this time, the Des Moines Commercial Club named a Civic Improvement Committee, placing therein three architects, a manufacturer, landscape gardner, park commissioner and a member of the City Council. This organization did much to educate the public and develop an interest in city planning.

It called public meetings, and formed a federation of some thirty-two district improvement leagues, and invited co-operation from both sides of the river.

In 1910, the first big step was accomplished, when this organization secured joint meetings with the East Des Moines Commercial League, making plans for, and securing the location of the Civic Center on the river front.

In 1916, the Civic Improvement Committee took the name of the "Town Planning Committee." It incorporated, assumed a new status and embraced members from both sides of the river. Due to the fact that its viewpoint was city-wide it gained rapidly in prestige because of the fact that its decisions were based entirely upon what would benefit the city as a whole. Its duties were self-imposed, its membership self-chosen, and its position purely advisory.

This same year, the City Council did this Town Planning Committee the honor to give it an official status by the enactment of an ordinance, (without express statutory authorization) creating a Town Planning Commission of fifteen members, naming as such Committee the fifteen persons then composing the