THE TOWNSCAPE 99 



America or side street America, not just, say, to Colonial Williams- 

 burg. 



The third thing which Mr. Gutheim suggested was the design 

 center. We in Britain already have such an operating unit run by 

 the government. It is on a more limited scale than he suggested, but 

 nevertheless the germ is there. 



Basically, it is a proving agency for designs for street furniture 

 and other items which are used outside as well as inside our homes. 

 Organized by the Council of Industrial Design, it is substantially 

 paid for by income from the people whose designs are approved 

 and, therefore, it is not an expensive program. There is a dis- 

 play, and government grant-aid is given only for items of approved 

 design. I don't know whether the same thing could apply here. 



This design center is based in London and has regional offices 

 throughout Britain in the major cities. I imagine you would have 

 to do this by means of regional offices in this country, too. 



ROBERT KATZ. I think it is clear from many of the comments 

 made today that we are reflecting a national concern, whether it be 

 with our lack of trees or the ugly condition of many of our com- 

 munities. 



I would make one comment on this. Let us not make the mis- 

 take of equating a national concern with the need to formulate 

 national standards for beauty. Instead, I urge that the Federal 

 Government's concern for a more beautiful country be translated 

 into a multitude of individual local programs. 



The distinction between the necessary broad design guidelines 

 which might be set at the Federal level and the precise plans that 

 are drawn locally should be sharply drawn in any program that gives 

 grants for urban beautification and improvement. I think this is 

 imperative, Mr. Slayton. Unless we make such a distinction I think 

 we run the risk of building a new national monotonous landscape 

 under the banner of beauty. 



Mrs. ELINOR GUGGENHEIMER. At the risk of distressing Mr, 

 Reuther, I am surprised that there has not been more emphasis 

 placed on the defacing of our cities by automobiles in general. 



I am a member of the New York City Planning Commission. We 

 have, at various times, in granting permits for parking lots practiced 

 what I would call "Arboreal Blackmail." We have been able to get 



