The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-25
PARKS FOR THE CITY.
Commissioner Jones Expresses
His Views.
BROAD POLICY OF THE BOARD.
Necessity for Enlarged Powers Under
the Charter-Proposed System
ofsmall Local Parks.

The board OF park commissioners finds itself
hanpered in any plan by the restrictions plsced
upon u by the charter. and viii seek to have
such amendments made as will enable it TO
carry out the work laid out for it by that law.
President Jones and Commissioner Bailey have
been before the charter revision committee en-
deavo.lng 10 secure recommendations By that
body, and they are 20 be embodied in the pro-
posed amendments.
"It is wise provision that gives the city
council control OF policy as to parks gener-
ally, said Mr.. Daniel Jones last night, ''out il is
quite out OF kee ping with its principles 10 impose
upon 1t the executive duty OF buying or con-
demnlng land. That is a business transaction
winch can best be done by a few men. In most
cities the park board derives its power direct
from the state Legislature, and is subject only
% the control OF the courts. We have examined
large number of laws bearing on the subject,
and fnd that one by which the parks OF Mime
apoIls are governed about the best.
"Ihe board is more cumbersome than many
others, but is powers very clearly set forth.
The commissioners are very emphatiealiy for
hidden 10 be interested in any contract made
under their authority or TO act officially 70
any land they own which may be condemned.
They not only manage the parks, but are EN-
powered 70 devise system OF parks and park
ways.
THE most important thing, however, is that
the commissioners have power to obtain title TO
land and 10 condemn land for park purposes.
The board appoints appraisers, whose decision
IS subject TO appeal TO the district court OF the
county, similar to our superior court. The
most important reason for giving this power TO
the board is that when property is to be bought
up the project had TO be submitted III open ses-
sion TO two houses Of the council. The result
would be an immediate increase in price before
terms could be made. and there is not sufficient
suitable land around Seattle, near enough 10 be
serviceabie, to admit OF much competition.
'The difficulty would be even greater in the
| laying out OF driveways and bouiivards Sup
pose, for instance, We plan a driveway 100 feet
wide through Unplatted land. We may come to
a street only sixty feet wide. II might be pos
sibie 10 get property-owners on either side to
donate twenty feet Tor the benefit il would be 70
them. One man could balk this purpose and
spoil the whole design il the park commission
ers could not exercise the right OF eminent do
main. That right vests in the city council and
there might be objections on their part 70 abdi-
eating it. They could no doubt delegate il to
the board as their agents within restrictions
81 viii not be positive as to that although
have very decided opinion about ii but
think nobody will question our eligibility to
the other power we ask. | can best explain it
BY an instance. In parts of the residence por-
ton OF the city small, odd aud uneveI
tracts which would make fine little parks
Squares they are called in some places. They
available as public parks, and it would not be
fair TO ask al the taxpayers to pay for them
But assessment districts might be created aud
the land donated or bought and improved By
the surrounding property-owners at proportion
ate rates. In few years, when the vacant
spaces are all filed up, and big tenement houses
crowd out light and air these little recreation
grounds for children, of from the streets with
their traffic OF cars and other vehicles, would be
priceless in vaiue-hardly less so than those
small parks, worth millions OF dollars as land,
which are now so famous as the fuugs OF Lon
dom
1.-The supreme court of MINES ota has decided
that while only municipal corporations may be
constitutionaly authorized 70 levy assessments
for local Improvements. such assessments may
be levied in behalf OF a municipal corporation
by its authorized agents.
lone more recommendation I would make to
the charter reyisers is that the park board
should serve without pay. l believe that there
are some duties citizens owe the place wherein
they live and make their money which they
should perform without insisting upon being
paid by the dollar. CounciImen work hard and
give very much Of their time; perhaps they
should be paid, but believe that every city has
few men who can afford 70 give for the gen
eral good sufficient time and attention TO such
work as the improvement of parks and beau
ufylng streets.