TEE MORE BEAUTIFUL NEW YORK 



73 



provement of American life, and he re- 

 plied, without hesitation, that, in his 

 opinion, such an interest is rapidly becom- 

 ing general. "People are taking more 

 time to think than they nsed to take/' he 

 «aid, "and consequently they are beginning 

 to realize that some improvement is not 

 only desirable, but quite necessar}^, if we 

 are to enjoy the best in life. In the past 

 there has no doubt been justification for 

 the European belief that most Americans 

 are chiefly concerned in the pursuit of 

 wealth, but this is less true every year." 



"Do you not think," I asked, "that the 

 practical value of art and its elevating 

 influence is being more appreciated today 

 than ever before ?" 



"Undoubtedly," said Mr. Low. "This 

 is shown by the fact that there is such a 

 strong movement for the betterment of 

 cities in the way of more parks, boule- 

 vards and playgrounds, less smoke and 

 other nuisances. Such organizations as 

 *The American League for Civic Improve- 

 ment' are increasing all over the country, 

 and this shows the attitude of the public 

 toward such improvements. In Xew York 



the president of the Borough of Manhattan 

 is arranging for some new street signs 

 which are to be an improvement on the 

 old style, and the public has shown a 

 remarkable interest in his plan. People 

 want to know what the new signs are to 

 be like, and samples of several kinds are 

 now on view on street corners, so that, in 

 the end, the one most satisfactory may be 

 selected. Another improvement which is 

 popular is the scheme to build 'islands' 

 at some of the busiest street crossings, such 

 as are seen in London at Ludgate Circus 

 and similar centers of traffic. In New 

 York such resting places in the middle 

 of the street will be of the greatest service, 

 and, if they are properly constructed, they 

 will surely be an ornament to any thor- 

 oughfare.'^ 



Mr. Low believes that American life is 

 being made more attractive in the country 

 as well as in great cities. "Now that our 

 farmers are so prosperous," he said, "they 

 are hiring others to do the farm work, and 

 giving their families a chance to enjoy 

 the advantages of books and music and 

 others pleasures." 



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PRIZE DESIGNS FOR AN ISLE OF SAFETY 

 (Prizes offered by the Municipal Art Society of New York) 



