The embellishment of stations and station grounds of railroads first began in this country on the Boston and Albany and the Pennsylvania roads. It is now a feature all over the country; it adds immensely to the pleasure and comfort of travel, and especially of suburban travel. So strong is this attraction that many an owner of a large subdivision in the suburbs not only recognizes it, but he puts into practice at and near the station all the arts of landscaping at his command. In a very few places especial pains have been taken to plant for winter effect, as well as for effects depending on full foliage and blossoming shrubs. New winter effects should be studied in the parks, boulevards, playgrounds, and for all stations. It generally calls for expenditure of thought; but very little, if any, extra expenditure of money is involved in procuring charming results. As a rule, the general aspect of our suburban stations is not pleasant. They should be bright, cheery, and inviting in a high degree. More study, not more money, is needed for this work. Let the architectural schools and societies take up this topic; it demands artistic imagination as well as skill. Let the man who undertakes this problem think of the hundreds or even thousands of people who must habitually use the given station, and let him do his utmost to bring into being for these people something that shall be a joy to them. A delightful station conduces to cheerfulness as a man goes to work and as he comes home, while a shabby or neglected station produces the opposite effect. The problems of transportation have been viewed entirely from the standpoint of the paramount interests of Chicago as a commercial city. It has been assumed that what is for the greatest advantage to the city as a whole, will also be of the greatest benefit to the transportation lines both collectively and individually. Just as the realization of other portions of the plan call for harmonious and united action on the part of civic authorities, so the carrying out of the recommendations in respect to transportation will necessitate unity of action on the part of the managers of transportation facilities. Each must yield in some particulars in order to bring about the great end sought; but whatever concessions may be called for, they will be found insignificant when compared with the great gain which will result to the transportation systems themselves from creating here in the central metropolis of the United States a complete system of handling both freight and passenger traffic so as to promote the convenience of the people, and to enhance the commerce of the city of Chicago. [Illustration: LXXXIII. THE VIADUCT AT AUTEUIL OVER THE RIVER SEINE, PARIS, FRANCE.] [Illustration: LXXXIV. CHICAGO. THE CENTER OF THE CITY LOOKING WEST, SHOWING GRANT PARK, THE HARBOR, AND THE CIVIC CENTER. COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY COMMERCIAL CLUB OF CHICAGO] CHAPTER VI