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Show NOVEL BOOK AT THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION TELLS OF AN IDEAL CITY. I A copy of the magnificently-Illustrated 2-p.igc book of tho World-Conscience Society, an international inter-national society for the creation of a World-center of communication, was recently presented to tho Smithsonian Institution and deposited de-posited In i he library, where It Is available to those who care to examine ex-amine it. This work Is the result of many years' labor by the uulhor. llendrik C. Andersen of Koine. In collaboration collabora-tion with Mr. E. Hebrard, architect archi-tect for the French Government, and many noted artists, architects and engineers, etc. It includes detailed de-tailed plans for the construction or a great utilitarian and artistic clt from which the affairs of the world are to bo directed for the betterment of mankind, by combining com-bining the highest forms of Intellectual, Intel-lectual, artistic and scientific accomplishments ac-complishments of all nations. The society and the author have fixed upon no particular location for the proposed capital, but sugegst sites In England, France. Belgium, Holland. Hol-land. Italy, and, oddly enough, for the United States on the coast of New Jersey. Tho author asserts that tho sole object of this gigantic task has been to promote the Interests Inter-ests of progress, economics, fraternity frater-nity and peace, and to develop world unity by deepening the sympathy sym-pathy between Individuals and nations na-tions through an harmonious prdcr of action and endeavor. Five hundred of these volumes are being distributed to tho principal prin-cipal libraries and selentllie Institutions Insti-tutions of the world, as well ns to the heads and officials of the various nations In this way It Is hoped to reach the general public, pub-lic, besides the more advanced theorists and scientists. The projeet seems a meritorious one and much has been accomplished in this book toward giving it a definite form, but the tremendous task still re mains of finding a location for this chief city of the world, and making mak-ing a reality In mortar and stone. The volume Is a rcmurkablc jdece of bookin.iklng and contains numerous fine reproductions of plana, elevations and perspective views of the different buildings, groups of statuary, and gardens which are to be constructed It Is dated 1013 and was published In Paris, Tho author has dedicated Ins gigantic work to his brother. Andreas M. Andersen, who. for some time cherished the general scheme of a, central city, and worked upon the early propositions with the author. The first part Is a general treatment treat-ment of tho historical aspect of architecture and urbanlsm i Prof. Gabriel LeroUx of the University of Bordeau It is devoted to tracing brief!) the chief architectural con-ceptlons con-ceptlons that have delinltel marked tho growing phases of human development In several parts of the world, and to noting the pui poses theso conceptions have served, illustrating various Styles and the labor spent upon developing and beautifying them. The second part of the book presents pre-sents architectural plans and suggestions sug-gestions for conveniently and harmoniously har-moniously meeting tho incipient ni i d. which it is felt sooner or later will give evidence of becoming becom-ing a vital necessity to all parts of the Inhabited world: that is, tho ii. .i of an international world center cen-ter of communication. To describe this many-sided project proj-ect without the aid of the diagrams and plans Is well-nigh impossible, on account of I he detail with which II has been worked up by the author and the architects. The site to be bow n is B seaport. Approaching from the water, the groat capital. . overlhg rn square miles, Uos before be-fore one, displaying the full beauty of Us magnificent edifices, towers, statuary, promenades. gardens, roads, lagoons and canals. The port Is reached through a monstrous sea-gate, sea-gate, surmounted on either side by two colossal llgures, which leads Into a great basin nnd harbor well wharved for the docking of all manner man-ner of craft large and small From the great basin, canals branch out to encircle the whole, forming both a barrier and a means of water transportation. Near the shore and opposite this gate Is the Phvslcal Culture center, including a great stadium, fields for sports, a great body of uat-r forming a grand canal in the shape of a T, with a water theater and other features. From the grand canal straight Inland In-land extends a beautiful mall, the Avenue of Nations, oh either side of which are the great buildings of the Art and Science centers. Pal-aces Pal-aces of education, religion, art, administration, ad-ministration, science. Justice and finance, and a remarkably artistic fountain, succeed one another until the Congress Square is reacnea. Here stands the Tower of Progress, a combination of a skv -scraper and an Blffle Tower. 1.000 feet In height. In which It Is planned to locate a central station for the public carriers car-riers nnd communication systems, the offices of International societies the world press, and International press bureau Wireless communication, communi-cation, and other universal Interests Inter-ests Will have their headquarters located on the many floors This great tower. In the centor of the main square, forms the heart of both the International center and the city proper In every direction from U radiate tho broad avenues of the city which Is divided Into quarters and zones readil connected connect-ed with the monumental group of buildings, by spacious avenues. The quarters comprise residential, business busi-ness and industrial sections. T.Ike the center Itself, the city and its gonea are separated by waterways, the outermost of which forms a wide navigable canal connecting the Bca with the basins for commerce which lie on the outer extremity of the town. The plans of the International center Include nearly every public necessity and convenience one can Imagine, among them stadiums, libraries, buildings for scientific research, re-search, administrative palace5, museums, mu-seums, conservatories, institutions of art, music, letters, etc.. and recreation recre-ation buildings. Including one for physical culture for men and an other for women, gymnasiums witn outdoor and covered swimming HJ pools, besides fields for every form of outdoor sport. The whole laid out with water, heating, lighting 1 and sanitary systems HJ The volume gives comprehan- 'H she description of this ideal capital JH for the world and Includes such marvclously wrought designs that jHJ one can not fall to be lmmedaitely interested, while the complote sys- HH tematlc scheme fits so well together that one is charmed by Us beauty HJ and amazed at the wealth of pracll- HJ cal thought which It displays. |