JF Ptak Science Books Quick Post
I am pretty certain that this is the only semi-antiquarian alphabet of city planning that I have seen1. And of course I am compelled by the "Garbage" entry, as one should be.
"May [this book] help you to look for and to see in this city of ours more than you have ever seen before. May it assist you in making this a better place in which to live, to the end that Chicagoans will not fear the memories of home they give their children."--preface.
Notes:
1. ABC. "Words and design by Arthur Bohnen, assistance of Elizabeth Blair, illustrations by Ethel Schacherer." 7x5", 26pp. "This publication is distributed to its members by the National Association of Housing Officials." 1936--WorldCat Only four copies located in WorldCat OCLC: Chicago PL, NYPL, Canadian Centre for Architecture, Columbia University.
G is for GARBAGE
which slums seem to reap.
They are, after all,
our city's dump heap.
Here are a few of my favorite entries:
A is for ALLEYS,
running back our lots
Taking up play space
we might ise for tots.
B is for BLIGHT
covering large parts of town,
our most serious problem,
causing planners to frown. ("Chicago has 36 square miles of more or less blihted neiughborhood.")
C is for CHANGE
o neighborhoods fine
from homes and great places
to rags, tatters and crime
L is for LOCATION
which has already been done,
of the city's worst buildings,
now down the should come.
W is for WASTE
of the land of our towns,
we've spread out so far
we have lamps on the downs.
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