That the new "set-back" skyscraper, by doing away with the old "Packing box" style of architecture has done much to better the living conditions in the large cities, was the theme of a lecture given to the Harvard School of City Planning by Ex-Congressman Edward M. Bassett of New York yesterday morning.

"Height regulations in zoning ordinances," Mr. Bassett said, "have brought to American cities greatly improved forms for office buildings, hotels, and other tall structures. Before the days of zoning the tendency was toward the packing box type which produced the greatest number of cubic feet and left the minimum of light and air space for the benefit of neighbors. The first tall building had plenty of light and air, but the fourth and fifth tall buildings surrounding the first brought darkness and unrentability to all."

Mr. Bassett went on to explain the necessity of regulating the height of buildings in crowded districts of large cities. Buildings that will bring the maximum of light and air into the streets and to the occupants of the building itself and which will leave open spaces above the ground level for the use of both the owner of the building and his neighbors are the type that are needed today, said Mr. Bassett.

"Towers are allowed in New York without limit of height provided the occupy not more than one-quarter of the lot," he continued. "When zoning was first adopted it was thought that towers would be exceptional. They were favored in the zoning plan because if well handled architecturally they produced an interesting instead of a monotonons skyline."

Mr. Bassett concluded his lecture by describing how towers, instead of being exceptional, have become the main feature of the building. As examples he pointed out such structures the Empire State and New York Life buildings in New York, which represent the best adaption of the tower. They are low at the street level, and ample light and air are insured for the tower residents as long as the building endures.