The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-29
1T RESTS WITH COUNCIL
RESPONSIBILITY FOR NORTHEAST
PARK MATTER LOCATED THERE.
Controller Willing to Make Transfer
of $5O,0OO-Citizens Call on the
Park Commissioners.


it for not purchasing the Pogue's run chain
of parks when the responsibility should rest
on other shoulders. a delegation of fifty
citizens crowded into the boards office yes
terday afternoon. In a temperate and earn
est way a number urged that the board do
something for that section of the city
Regret was expressed to the board for
some of the fierce threats and wild express
sions made by excited and misinformed
speakers at Bellefontaine Hall Tuesday
night. The board heard with patience what
the speakers had to say. Then Commits
sioner Claypool, chairman of the board,
produced a statement which he proceeded
to read to the assembled citizens He said
that it was prepared in anticipation of the
grievances of the committee outlined in
press accounts of the meeting of Tuesday
evening. Mr. Claypool said that it had
been presented to the other commissioners
present--Messrs. English, Lieber and Perry.
Mr.. Holt was out of town and had not
seen 1t. The other members approved it,
Mr. Claypool showed that all RESPONSE
bility for the board not purchasing the land
at the present time ought to rest on the
Mayor, the controller and Council If the
Council had not set aside $4,000 of the
original appropriation and premiums
amounting to over $4,000 more for a labor
fund the board would still have at its dis
posal $4,000 for the purchase of other tracts
that were considered desirable Even with
the transfer of $4,000 from the labor found
which the board had asked, there would
be enough to purchase the Pogue's run
tract Close attention was given to Mr..
Claypool's statement as he read the follow
ing exposition of the boards position:
Of ~
ment by the Commercial Club of this city
for a general system of public parks the
Fall creek system has been paramount. be
fore the park act was passed the CONNER
ciaI Club employed MI. Joseph EarnShaW,
OF Cincinnati an expert in landscape engl-
neering, to visit this city for the purpose OF
examining the available lands within and
adjoining the city limits, Snd 10 make re-
port without favor or advice or anyone
He did so, accompanied with map giving
his ideas as to the lands best adapted ana
most available, which map is now IN the
possession OF the Board of Park Commits
sionerS, and in his report he used the Iol-
lowing language:
. Adopt a plan by which Fall creek val
ley could be redeemed from overflow ana
the further erection of nuiSanceS thereon.
AT the same provide a magnificent park and
drive, extending from Washington street
to the entrance of the state fair grounds.
He adds, further, that the landscape effect,
when completed with it's buildings bridges,
planting, lakes, lawns, fountains, etc,
would be unrivaled In extent and beauty,
place for recreation or as a magnificent
drive, which would be notable for its perfec-
ton of surface, gracefully curved dlrec-
tons and desirable grades, but more eS-
pecially for the charming and ever-chang-
ing views of park and architectural orna-
mentatiOn afforded continuously on either
side Of a boulevard five miles in length.
subsequently the park act became law,
and board OF commissioners was appoint
ed. They then, to better inform and satisfy
themselves. that they might not make any
serious mistakes and be fortified by the
best authority, employed the services
of Mr.. j. G.. OlmStead, Of BrOokline, Mass,
a gentleman of long and successful expert
ence in planning and directing the improve
ment of public parks in many of the most
important cities in this country. He also
made careful examination of the lands
available for park purposes for this city
and made report TO the commissioners
highly recommending the Fall creek system.
Mr.. Olmstead, in his report, used the fol-
lowing language, viz: From the standpoint
of municipal finances, therefore, it would be
more profitable and less burdensome to
form handsome parkway along Fall creek
which would lead to the state fair grounds,
pelleying that It would be worth al 1t
would cost TO extend this parkway down
Fall creek from Michigan road to White
river and along White river TO a point as
near WashingtOn-street bridge as might be
found practicable. etc All of which has
been presented to the public by the news
papers in this city and commented on time
and again. And so far as the commissioners
have seem there has not BEEN until quite
recently, any material objection to that To-
cality for the large park and driveway; SO
they have been acting not only in accord
ance with their wishes, but have been led
to believe in accord with that of the general
public. as well as upon the advice of the
expert engineers, and have proceeded upon
that line of policy until they have expended
a considerable sum of money in the way
of surveys, plats, appraisements and other
wise, and have also taken steps TO have the
property condemned, and have proceeded so
far in that direction that they don't think
public policy at this late date is demanding
now be made. While they have purchased
a few small squares, they felt in doing so
that they are in parts of the city densey
populated and where they would serve a
large number of people and such localities
as will meet with public favor generally
and they are also of the opinion that there
are other localities in the city that should
have like facilities. But they have gone
to the limit Of the appropriation made by
the Common Council for the purchase of
park lands and they also wish to make
known the fact that the $50 600 and the pre-
MUM obtained from the sale of the bonds
which has been specifically ordered by the
Common Council to be expended for labor
has not been in accordance with their wish
and they are also of the opinion that the
order should not have been made in the
appropriation.
DEPENDS ON THE COUNCIL.
IF those amounts had been left to their
discretion to dispose of they would be in
financial condition now to buy other desr-
able lands. And they fully recognize the
fact that the Eastern portion of the city
should be provided with public parks, and
their original plans contemplated such ac-
QUESTIONS, but before they will be enabled
to purchase them the Common Council
must first provide the means The commits
toner's have asked that the fifty-thousand-
dollar labor fund be transferred to the pur-
chase fund. If this does not meet with favor
by the controller or the Common Council
they ask that an additional approDria tion
be made. They can see no reasonable ex-
cuse for not making the transfer as thew
will be in receipt of funds from benefits
assessed as soon as they are enabled TO
procure the lands, have plans prepared and
be ready TO begin the work. and by doing so
the labor interest will not in any manner
be lessened, but, on the contrary enlarged
for with every additional purchase of lands
more labor VIII be required And. regardless
of any benefit assessments the commission
arS have now on hand about $50 600 that was
obtained from the premium on the sale of
the bonds, which amount will be used for
employing laborers as soon as 1t is possible
to begin work. And they also fully realize
the Importance OF the duties they are called
on to perform and that they will be held
responsible by the citizens of Indianapolis
for their acts. Consequently. If thew are
worthy of the positions they hold. they
should not be abridged in their authority
and then be held responsible for the acts
of others.
The commissioners have suggested that
all benefits that may be assessed against
property on account of its proximity to any
square or park, that the money thus ac-
CURED should be used specifically on such
upon any other; that it would not be fair
10 those who pay for such DEMENT'S to do
otnefWiSe. and that a sufficient fund should
ne thus obtained to materially provide for