The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-05
THE CITY'S PARKS.
Commissioners Say They Re-
quire More Money.
THE COUNCIL. IGNORES THEN.
Recommendations which DID Net Re-
e<fve Dss Censiderssios-sehvs-
gerf's Espers and Suggestions.

In the course Of its annual report 20 the
mayor and city council, the park com
mission says:
For funds herewith 20 NEE. the neces-
saTy expense inclrred in the maintenance
ana improvement Of the city parks your
commissioners have been forced 20 reiy
snossy On the uncertain amount Of the 10
per cent. of the lines and license tax Of the
city devoted TO this purpose. The limited
sum OF money derived from this source as
compelled the exercise OF the most rigid
economy, and is was only the willingness
OF competent men 70 work below the -egu-
Jar rate OF wages paid in this section of the
country that enabled the board to accom-
p.isn wha, has been done.
The board recommended 10 the coun-
Ell that small tax be levied for park pgr-
poses. calling attention to the provision
made IN the charter that . tax not 10 ex-
coed one-haif . mill may be levied each
year. This request seemingly did not re-
ce!ve the consideration of your honorable
body and no reply was returned thereto.
In this connection we deem it our duty 10
respectfully invite your attention TO the
Tact that il Is Of vital importance to the
city OF Seattle that proper provision should
be made for the maintenance and improve
ment Of her system of parks and that sd-
vantage should be taken Of the thought
tut provision made in the charter TO thus
end; and We venture 10 say that in view
OF the certain. and probably rapid. future
growth OF the city and the incalculabic
importance Of q proper system of parks
and avenues a. an agent In humanizing
and refining the community and rendering
the people happy, heaithful and con-
tented. neglect 70 take advantage Of
present opportunities to make wise and
far-seesng provision for future develop
ments in this direction will not only here
after be subject of profound regret, but
will prove financially and otherwise .
great detriment and misfortune TO the city
of Seattle
The commission states that in answer
to inquiries as TO what action had been
taken. it received the following letter from
City Clerk Sioneman:
A communication from the board Of
park commissioners in the matter of the
establishment OF boulevard along the
shore of Lake Washington, was filed In
this Office and presented to the board Of
aldermen At . meeting held on the 18th
day of August. Same was referred to the
committee on parks and boulevards. con-
sistsng Of c. A. Cram, T. J. Carrie and J. r.
Brewer. No further action Was taken"
Before closing this report We would
again urge the desirabiiity Of providing
suitable and permanent nursery grounds
for the department., and for q further
eiucidation of this subject We would
again respectfully refer you to the report
Of the commission for the year 1892.
I'm conclusion, the park commissioners
would respectfully call the attention OF
the honorable the mayor and the city
council TO the following facts as shown
by the foregoing report:
"First-Thst they have endeavored to
the best of their ability to serve the true
interests OF the city in this, one Of the
most important departments Of the ad.
ministration. and have labored con-
scientiously to this end.
"Second-That their course has gener-
ally met with the unqualified approval of
the leading business men and citizens of
seattle-those most deeply interested in
the welfare of the city--and also of tho
perhaps, quite recently, received the
hearty Endorsement and enlil htensd sup
port of the head of the administration.
'Third-That the labors of the commits
sioners have not received that full consid-
Grafton at the hands of the council 10
which they are entitled, but, on the con-
trary, the resolutions and recommends
tons which have been forwarded from
time 70 time to your honorable body have
been either altogether ignored or treated
with GOODNESS and neglect.
I'm view, therefore. of the attitude that
the administration has lately assumed in
relation TO this board and in justice To the
vast interests AZ stake 10 the city OF Seat.
tie. your commissioners would reiterate or
restate the fact that the experience of ali
large cities has proved that il is necessary
that the department OF parks should be
entirely divorced from ali political man.
ipulation and infusnce: indeed, il i. q
notorious fact that the councils of cities
have invariably seen lit TO work against
hA trn tnF aF hss- a
ments. and that cities where the people
have recognized the difficulty. have ri aced
the park boards on an independent basis.
subject only To such restrictions as were
placed upon them by the citizens who
delegated 20 them their powers.
Moreover, city so young as Seattle,
through lack of necessary experience In
no, likely TO appreciate the fact tina, the
workmen employed in the public parks
should be men specially htted for that
class OF work by natural ability, if not By
previous experience. and that work Of the
park department cannot be effectuaiiy
performed toy men who are working ac-
cord ng 10 political methods.
''Thss question, which has been so
clearly demonstrated in the history of our
own city, has been ably treated in the best
magazines OF the day. such as the 1.nt,srs
and Resissr Of Reyiets and is not an inyen-
ton OF this board. Therefore, whilst the
the park commissioners as individuals.
put forward no claim TO consideration in
this matter. YET, At the same time in
view of the steps taken by the admins
tration 10 abolish the park board as in
dicated by the proposed Amendment to
the city charter. they feel IL TO be their
duty. apart from all personal considera-
lions 10 call attention To the dangers in.
volve2 and would nphssixe the fact that
no city mas ever established an efficient
al m M at a
even attended 10 them in fairly satis.
factory manner where they have been
managed otherwise than By competent
and independent board OF park commits
sioners."
Attached 70 the report is an advisory
letter from Superintendent Schwagerl, in
which be saws:
''If the Bailey peninsula should De Sc
cured a. lis present prise aud payment
deferred. = Is certain that the rropertv
owners along the shore line OF Lake WASH
ington wo4ld soon Join the city To locate
and donate a boulevard right-o:-xay.
The whole would thus constitute a
PARK and parkway quickly available for
the people, aud would give the city a.
ieass one driveway, while furnishing
mach-needed road ways 20 the residents
and psopTsetoss generally in the neisabor-
hood.
lit j. also proposed thar the city Of Seat
tie should devise plan for the laying GA.
OF those sections O! the city where perma-
mems improvements have not already been
made, With me viea OF afsord4ug man
roadsays, avenues or boulevarsts extend
ing cat Of TIE city TO the north And 10 the
souih, Sash special reference TO giviag TO
ne 81 oaros As direct lines IS possible 10
&De business center OF the city; sGca high
II