St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-03
THE PARK COMMISSION.
The Board Sizes Up Its Available
Resources.

There was large attendance at the
meeting of the board of park COM
missionerS yesterday afternoon, when
the question of what was to be done in
regard to the taking of land owned by
Joseph Dean, between Lakes Calhoun
and Harriet, without his permission, for
roadway was brought up. Judge
LELAND, accompanied Mr.. Dean, and
looked after his interests in the matter.
Judge LELAND explained that Mr.. Dean.
himself and others, were the owners of
the land in question between the two
lakes, and stated that the boulevard had
been put there without permission. On
Judge LELAND made a PROPOSE
ton to give the board ground
enough for roadway to connect
the two boulevards, if the board would
agree to grade the same at once, and re-
move the boulevard from the land
owned by other people. This PROPOSE
ton was conditional upon the agree
ment of the board to do the grading by
Oct. of the present year. so that the
owners of the land could plat it. Mr..
Dean stated that after taking his land
the board has assessed him S4O0 as bene-
fits, and this he was inclined to protest
against. On motion of Commissioner
March the matter was referred to the
committee on designation of grounds.
The request of the gentlemen to be re-
leased from benefit assessments was
discussed but no action was taken.
Mounted Park Policeman Fisher sent
in communication asking that the
board pay him back salary and keep
him OH half pay, as he had been obliged
to purchase an expensive outfit when he
took the position. This was referred to
the committee Oh police, as were several
applications for positions as park po-
licemen. A number of bills, aggregat-
ing S195.35, were presented and referred
to the finance committee. One bill for
labor done was ordered paid.
She secretary presented his report of
the board for the ten months, ending
Jan. l, and giving detailed account of
the receipts and expenses. 1t was re-
ferred to a committee of three to eX-
anime. This committee consists of
Commissioners March, Northrup and
Ridgeway. The report is made up of
facts already published, and shows that
from March IA, 1883 to Jan. z, 1889, no
lands were acquired by the board. The
total area of land now under control of
the board is given at 1,06S.54 acres.
There are 1881 miles of parkways esti-
about one-third OF that amount. The
disbursements were S109, 302.67, and the
receipts S112, 042.76, leaving balance
on hand of 80, 739. Of the receipts. $780,
340.72 was from tax collections,
So, $50 from the sale of bonds, $4,000
from temporary loan, and 81 ,097.72 from
sale of privileges, etc. Of the diSburse-
ments, 5000 was for the payment of a
temporary loan, S23,964.40 for interest
on bonds, s5,022.1S for salaries of park
police, S3,375.50 for trees, etc., SS,542. 40
for satisfaction of claims against land,
and the balance, S34, 400.37. for the care
of parks and in making improvements.
The committe on judiciary, to which
had been referred the claims of the park
policemen, for back pay during the
winter, reported them back without
recommendation. A discussion fol-
lowed, and finally, on motion by Com
missioner Downs, it was decided to dis
allow the claims for the extra money
asked for. The men who served the
extra week in January were ordered
paid.
Commissioner Northrup. of the COM
Kimball. who had the boating privi-
lege at the lakes last year had put in a
bid, the same as Mr.. Ewing, S4O0 for the
season. The committee on shore rights
and privileges was given the power to
act in the matter.
On the motion of Commissioner
Downs the finance committee was in
structed to make report later on as to
the exact amount of available funds in
the treasury. The superintendent was
directed to make a report at the next
meeting, of the relative cost of finish
ing off the Lyndale avenue boulevard
with crushed granite as compared with
crushed limestone. The board was no
titled by the superintendent that all
trees and shrubs needed for the present
year should be obtained some time dur
ing the present month. On motion of
Commissioner Mill, a resolution was
adopted asking the city council to grade
Sixth street south, from Riverside ave-
nue. to Riverside park. The board adj
journed to meet again one week from
Yesterday.