Show to litte toc I 1 inuring 0 1 events I 1 d a 1 G P w ID D 0 t of WHAT CHICAGO OWES TO GEOGRAPHY chicago is ia the subject of one of a series of bulletins on oil american cities the fol following loNing description is based on a communication to the national geographic society by william joaeph showalter geography made chicago its position at the foot of the great lakes resulted in its evolution as the farthest inland terminus of navigation of the inland seas M I 1 made ade nhat hat it Is by the processes of geography chicago soon returned the compliment by helping geography transform trans fonn other reg regions alons glons its slaughtering and packing industry has changed the center of gravity of the meat ineat pro world its agricultural implement industry has revised the economic status of more than halt half of the inhabitants of the earth its sleeping car industry has entirely revised the geography of travel bringing hundreds of places separated by mountain and plain close to each other it Is interesting to pause for a birdseye birds eye inventory of what nhat tile the city Is today fourth in population it ranks first among the NN worlds great urban centers in many ways nath no other place butchers as much meat meal makes as much machinery bull builds ds as many cars sells as much grain or handles as much lumber the michigan avenue improvement Is a major feature of the now famous chicago plan the beautiful highway with its connecting hr arteries unites the north shore with the south side for years this thoroughfare has been the pride of chicago and the admiration of all who visit tile the city A As a part of the lake shore drive that links the woods of southern wisconsin with the plains of northern indiana it Is a magnificent street to secure the full benefits of her situation the city is undertaking to connect her three great lakeside parks parka already lincoln park has edged a narrow way southward along the beach until there is a wonderful curving stretch of green reaching to grand avenue and making 1 a I four mile parkway unbroken jand and unmarred the city annually spends five million dollars for park purposes more per capita perhaps than adv other city of the first order in existence there is not a keep off the alie grass sign in the entire pok park system and ELI ill recreational facilities are fre free e except the boats in the lag onni there is a swimming hole within walking distance of every boy in chicago and even with the fine mil municipal bathing beaches of the like lake front not far away these mid elty city park lagoons are always in use prock providing 1 in joy for the hearts of the kiddies who ah 0 visit them |