Chicago, rapid growth of population, 1; realizes that a city plan is necessary, 1; the plan presented the result of experience, 2; justification of the plan, 4; legal aspects of plan, 127-156; Chicago a center of industry and traffic, 4; future greatness, 4; public spirit, 4; understands the necessity of experts, 4; results of the World’s Fair, 6; plans for improvement of the Lake front, 6; Merchants Club begins plan, 7; prosperity the result of comprehensive plan, 8; the Spirit of Chicago, 8; a typical example of a palisaded town, 9; surroundings similar to those of Paris, London and Berlin, 14; opportunity for systematic improvement, 15; population greater than that of Paris when Haussmann’s work began, 18; nature of the Chicago problem, 30; the metropolis of the Middle West, 31; extent of city’s influence, 32, 34; probable growth, 32, 33; size of the city not the first consideration, 32; lack of foresight after the fire of 1871, 32; B. J. Arnold’s estimates of growth of population, 33; James J. Hill’s prophecy as to growth, 33; circulation of Chicago newspapers, 33; bank reserves, 33; commercial influence, 34; political headquarters, 34; responsibilities of the city, 34; Commission to lay out territory adjoining the city, 34; provision should be made for public buildings and playgrounds, 35; churches, 36; suburbs, 36; need of highways into surrounding country, 38; building of good roads, 39; highways surrounding the city, 40, 41; streets of Chicago, 43; beginnings of park system, 43; park area second to that of Philadelphia, 44; park extension begins, 44; small parks, 44, 54; proposed arrangement of new parks, 44; park area relative to population, 44; park circuits, 45; recommendations of Special Park Commission, 46; development of suburban railway service, 46; need for outlying parks, 47; compared with London, 48; opportunities for large parks, 50; development of Lake front, 50; yachting, 52; Chicago made largely by the railroads, 61; problem of freight traffic, 61; necessity for revising transportation facilities, 62; only goods to be consumed in city should enter therein, 63; a traffic clearing-house proposed, 64; railway and water traffic compared, 64; relief from congestion of traffic, 65; harbors, 65; tunnel system, 65; a loop system, 66; excursion piers, 68; circuits for freight and passenger traffic, 68; passenger stations, 70, 71; locations of passenger stations, 72, 112; street-car loop system, 73; extension of business area, 74; suburban passenger traffic, 74; mail service, 76; ideal nature of proposed transportation system, 78; natural features of Chicago, 79; how effective results may be obtained, 80;