The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-11
THE PARK BOARD.
Commissioners Offer TO Work without
SALARY,

Commissioners Offer to Work without
Salary.
A meeting OF the park commissioners was held
laat night, Messrs Daniel Jones. W. E. Bailey,
C. n. Evans, Abram Barker and ". Z. Burgess
attending.
Mr.. Evans called attention to the suggestion
made by several people that the commissioners
take steps TO acquire the university grounds.
Mr.. Bailey said that the ten acres were valued at
100000, so that the tract was altogether out of
the question. The charter limited the board to
an issue OF 1900 bonds, part of which would
have TO be devoted to beautifying the property.
He would dislike to see the tract cut ID into
building lots, but he did not see how the city
could acquire such q valuable tract He be-
Heved the price asked was too high, but even at
less 1t would be beyond their reach.
1t might be possible to acquire q part perhaps
and make square OF II, but he believed that for
considerably less money they could get land
that would do equally as well for the purpose.
Mr.. Barker thought they were eli agreed that
land now while II could be acquired a. q price
within their means The best they could do
would be to recommend to the council the pur-
chase OF one or more tract
Mr.. Bailey moved that q committee be ap-
pointed to ask the regents what price and the
best terms they would accept Il would be
neither legal nor advisable TO issue bonds for the
purpose at present II the board found il to be
out OF the question to meet the terms of the re-
gents they would then have to seek elsewhere.
The chair appointed Messrs. Bailey, Barker
and Evans
The Chairman brought up the subject Of the
request Of the city council that the commits.
sioners consent TO forego their salary.
Mr.. Bailey moved that each member agree to
this he, himself, had never drawn any salary.
Mr.. Jones would be willing 70 consent II the
money were applied to hiring superintendent
Mr.. Barker thought such action on their part
would establish splendid precedent
Nj. Burgess said It would not help the city. as
the amount was not drawn from the salary fund
but from the park fund, no part of which could
be sliensted for any other purpose.
Mr.. Evans thought 1t was q bad precedent;
there was plenty Of work TO be done. and he be-
heSeo thaI every man should be paid for his
work.
M Bailey was in favor OF each member re-
funding what he had alrsady drawn, besides
remaining from drawing any salary, at least IN
III the city was in better condition.
No action was taken.
Mr.. Bailey referred 10 the opinion that the
board had been inactive. He believed there Was
gEsat ElSSpprehension on the subject The
board had been very DESTROYS OF obtaining
school lands, but none suitable had been
placed on the market Ii baa heen
necessary to obtain information a. 10
the extent of land likely TO be available
and the probable cost The first p,1rnose of the
board should be 20 make very careful selection.
but even II suitable land were in sigh, the park
t0nd was not IN condition yet 10 enable the
board to purchase any large quantity. The city
Is not IN urgent need OF park site inst now,
ana u was lar wiser to submit TO a DELAY than to
pay an exoFols4nt sum which would involve the
city IN debt. The board il verv esrre.,lv in.
curing into all the conditions to be consId-
cred.
The board adjourned for q week. after dis
oussing several points OF relatively less i'm