St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-02-03
A GRAND OPPORTUNITY.
The Twin City Representatives
Confer Concerning the Proposed
Interurbau Park

The Twin City Representatives
Confer Concerning the Proposed
Interurban Park.
A joint conference of committees from
the Minneapolis board of trade and the
st. Paul chamber of commerce was
held yesterday afternoon in the board of
trade to consider the acquisition of the
river banks on each side of the Missis-
sippi from the Riverside park to Mime
haha falls for boulevard and park pur-
poses. The meeting was not very we'll
attended by either st. Paul or Minneap-
oils men, and the greater part of the
time was engaged in discussion of the
question. There were present Arch
bishop Ireland and p. I. Kavanagh. The
archbishop is a large land owner in the
park region, controlling about mile and
a quarter of the river bank, while
Mr.. Kavanagh represents the DesnOyer
estate.
At former meeting it had been
moved that Hon. G. E. Cole draw up a
bill condemning the land and assessing
the value back on the land owners of
the vicinity. To this the land owners
had objected as they thought it unfair
that they make a clear gift of the land
to the city. They are willing to do their
part toward securing the land for the
city and are very eager to have the pro-
ject carried through.
Prof. III. W. S. Cleveland made very
earnest appeal of the committee that
they take immediate action to secure
the boulevard and the park. He clearly
showed that if the grand park that has
been talked of was gained it would be
of inestimable value to the city. He
spoke of having viewed the land where
Central park of New York now lies in
1857, and assured the committee that it
tageS Of the park lying between the two
cities. In speaking of an objection that
had been entered against it he
said: sit is said there are very
valuable mill privileges there. ! have
heard them estimated as worth $1,000
000. Suppose they are worth millions,
throwing aside all sentiment on the
question, it would be more profitable to
use the land as park. D0yOu suppose
that if New York City might have mills
for Central park and dismal mOnotOnouS
streets in place of the beautiful resi-
dence portion, she would have them?
By no means. and neither will Mime
apolis and st, Paul in years to come. if
they now secure this park. Think of
what it is to say we have park with
the Mississippi river flowing through it,
and with Minnehaha falls as minor
attraction"
Anthony Kelly also spoke highly in
favor of the scheme, and said he was
willing to be taxed up to his full pro-
portion for such purpose.
r. j. Baldwin. in addressing the st.
Paul portion of the committee, said:
"'The park commission of Minneapolis
has already taken measures so that it
is possible to this year open bOule-
ward from the lakes to Minnehaha Falls,
and we intend to do it with you if we
can, or without if we can not; if with
out you, so much the worse for YOU"
The following resolution was passed,
the idea being to draw up a bill that
will be satisfactory to the landholders:
Resolved that MeSsrs. Anthony
Kelly and w. p. Murray, of this COM
mittee, be requested to arrange an in
terview with Hon. G. E. Cole, and to
notify parties interested to be present
to request Gen. Cole to prepare bill
representing, If possible, the views of
such parties interested as to the pro-
posed Mississippi river park"
The joint committee adjourned with
the provision that the chairman, Capt.
Merriman, call them together when the
bill is prepared.