... interesting idea that emerges from the work, (but could not arise without historical hindsight), is the idea that it was only very recently that the "American Street" transformed into a location of relative prosperity, safety, and civilised. In the century from which we have just emerged, many of the metropolises of America might very much resemble the character of third world cities today- late 19th century New York like present-day Jakarta? Stripped of the ethnic & cultural issues, the comparison seems to be a fair one economically. Which also instills a slight amount of faith that economic development can do for other locales what has been done for America. Riis accounts have a journalistic feeling, for instance the story of foundling babies (abandoned newborns). A cradle was put outside a Catholic Church and instead of a baby each night, racks of babies appeared. The Church had to establish foundling hospitals run ...

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