The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-10

man Krouskoff had said The street and
/ lane committee. he said, could not afford
| to take such an amount from its budget
| as would be necessary TO care for the park
! and tree work. Alderman Davis, chair
man Of that committee, had stated as
! much. The money could be more eco
nomically expended by the park and tree
commission, he said. If the park and tree
commissioners were given $1,000
now, he said, they would be
glad to take II and do the
best they could with II, and council could
make an additional appropriation when
necessary. The street and lane committee
was not capable TO take charge of the
work.
Alderman Well said that the park and
tree work should be kept up but not in
an extravagant manner There was no rea-
son TO believe, he said, that it would be
otherwise if left with the commission. II
council should make an appropriation now
there would be nothing TO hinder the COM
mission from asking for another appropri-
alton before the end of the year.
Alderman Guckenheimer said the prin-
Cipal Of increasing appropriations was
wrong. The appropriations should not be
increased. The park and tree commission
eTs had managed badly If money should
be appropriated to continue the work, it
should be taken out of the hands of the
commission. The council should take care
of public work if the commissioners are
unable TO care for II themselves.
Alderman Krouskoff differed with AL
dermen We'll and Guckenheimer. Alder
man Owens said that the work could not
possibly be carried on intelligently without
the force OF the park and tree commission.
Alderman Davis said that if council
took charge Of the work it would have to
be turned over to the commissioner of pub
lie works, as the street and lane commit
FOO a. a
rate forceS Alderman Davis thought the
work could be handled very well in this
manner. No expert labor is required to
cut grass and water trees, he said.
Alderman Charlton expressed himself
strongly upon the subject of commissions
and appropriations. Il am heartily in
sympathy with the park and tree com
mission" he said. AT the same time l
have in mind the fact that this commits
sion system is one for which there is no
responsibility. The present council is not
responsible for it, neither are the people
of this community responsible for ITS ex-
istence. To increase appropriations is a
dangerous precedent The fire commission
may run short and probably will if the
amounts which have been charged against
the public property appropriation are
charged against the fire appropriation.
The water commission may ask council
for money. Il will probably be necessary
to give it to them"
Mayor Meldrim inquired of Alderman
Charlton If he thought the council had
the power to take charge OF the park
and tree work except by its absolute
abandonment by the commission. Suppose,
Tor instance, he said, that the commission
ers should make such financial arrange
ments as they saw fit to continue the
work.
Alderman Charlton said that he con-
10 1Vnff ton, r@f
tree commission of its inability to carry
on the work as a practical abandonment
Of it.
Il have never been in accord with these
commissions" said Alderman Charlton.
They were put through by the last coun-
ell, and the last legislature and the people
of this community were not consulted
The park and tree commission is the least
harmful of the lot This commission made
unusual expenditures without giving coun-
Gil any opportunity to exercise Judgment
upon them. The city council should ac-
ceDt the responsibility and carry on the
work at its own dictation
Alderman Owens moved that council
appropriate 81, 800 to the commission AL
derman Guckenheimer called for the ayes
and nays. The vote resulted as follows
Ayes-Aldermen Krouskoff and Owens.
Nays-Alderman Reid, Hull, We'll
Charlton, Davis, Guckenheimer and Ham
ltOn.
on motion of Alderman Charlton the
mayor was requested TO address a com
munication to the commission to ascertain
If 1t had abandoned the work of caring
for the parks. trees and squares in order
that council might take the necessary
steps to carry it on
Members of the park and tree commits
sion who were seen said that there is no
probability of the commission abandon.
ing its work. Some arrangement to con-
unue can be made, 1t was said Possibly
the commissioners may borrow the money
on their own responsibility and repay the
loan out of next years budget. A meet
Ing of the commission has been called for
this afternoon to consider the action Of
council and determine upon the proper
course TO pursue under the circumstances
1t has been suggested that public sub
scription be opened to raise a fund with
which to provide means for the commits
sion to continue its work The work of
the commission has won for it many
friends.