AT THE CITY HALL

Underground or aerial pedestrian crossings!
It would be a very curious spectacle for a man of our generation if it were possible for him to come back to life to see the Paris of the year 2000!
How will the traffic problem be solved in the 21st century? Because if it is not solved at this distant date, it never will be.
We will certainly travel a lot in space; airships and planes, with or without engines, will multiply endlessly. But, will there be pedestrians? This animal species being very threatened may have disappeared! We try hard to preserve it, to protect it, and finally to fight to prevent its complete disappearance,
We already know certain protective measures, such as the red bands, which quickly failed, and which are abandoned everywhere, police signals, on foot and on horseback, mechanical signaling, etc.

We also proposed increasing obstacles in the streets to facilitate traffic! Very seriously, an engineer proposed that from distance to distance, the Parisian roads be cut by deep gutters in order to prevent cars from going too fast and crushing passers-by!
We also recommend the establishment of a large number of underground passages, and as the public does not seem to frequent those which already exist, the underground passages would no longer be optional, but would become obligatory as in large railway stations.

Finally, last refuge, supreme hope, to save the unfortunate pedestrians, the aerial bridge!
Mr. Jean de Castellane, municipal councilor, proposes the creation of pedestrian crossings above congested intersections. These walkways would terminate in a gentle spiral slope as needed in each direction.

They could, for the convenience of the public, be equipped with movable ramps which would prevent disabled people, women, the elderly and children from the fatigue of climbing.
Let us point out yet another project which, this one, is not of municipal origin, but, however, does not lack originality.
A Swiss engineer recommended the establishment of ferries for pedestrians, children's cars and sick people at busy street crossings.

If all these suggestions one day become realities, Parisians will perhaps be able to get around on foot without running too many dangers, but what will become of the aesthetic with all these footbridges climbing streets and boulevards?

And to think that in our time, the installation of trolley wires is prohibited to preserve the appearance of Paris!

The Alderman.