Kansas City daily journal., 1897-02-10
TAXPAYERS AGAINST THE MEASURE
ALMOST TO A MAN.
GIVES BOARD TOO MUCH POWER
VIEWS OF NUMBER OF PROMINENT
CITIZENS ON THE SUBJECT.
House Committee Listens to ArEu-
ments on ArmourdaIe Divorce Bill
Eliza White Case Continued
Till MOnday-WOman
Wants Damages.

topeka, Kas., Feb. 9.-(Special) Judge
d. D.. Hoag headed a delegation of promi-
nent citizens of Kansas City, Kas., who
arrived in the city tonight to work for the
passage of the Kansas City, kas., park
law. The bill has been introduced in each
house and is now being considered by the
committees. Indications to-day pointed to
the defeat of the measure, but the delega-
tion which came tonight hopes to get
it favorabIy reported. The provisions of
the bill have already been published in the
Journal. The measure is intended to make
1t possible for Kansas City, Kas., to ac-
quire a system of parks now while the
price of real estate is at its lowest ebb.
The bill now pending in the legislature
providing for new park laws is meeting
with much opposition in this city and a del
egation of prominent property owners here
left yesterday morning for Topeka, where
they will fight the passage of the bill.
Among the delegation that went TO the
capital were w. H. Bridgens, ]. V. Andrews,
president of the Merchants bank; City
Treasurer Ferguson, Charles Hams and
X. L. Browne.
The bill which the promoters of the park
and boulevard agitation are trying to get
through the Kansas legislature provides
that the park board shall be empowered
system of parks and boulevards, at any
cost, and compel the taxpayers to pay
therefor. The redress which would be left
for the taxpayers, should the bill become
a law, would be the district court
The park board was appointed last
spring by the moyor, and since that time
1t has been working Independent of the
city. The proposed legislation is being
pushed principally by the park board.
They have a number of supporters, how
ever, that are assisting them in the matter.
A Journal reporter called on a number
of leading citizens yesterday for the pur-
pose of ascertaining the true sentiment OF
the people relative to the park agitation.
Their views are given in brief interviews
below:
favor of the proposed park bill, 1t gives
the board too much unrestricted jurisdic-
ton"
passage of the bill would be one of the
most high-handed acts ever perpetrated
upon any civilized community. According
10 the provisions of the bill the board
would be self-perpetuating after its crea-
tion. The taxpayers should be given some
redress in the event that such a body
should attempt to bury them with taxa
ton. I am bitterly opposed to the pro-
posed legislation, and L will accompany a
delegation to Topeka to-day to fight
]. V Andrews. president of the Mer-
chants bank, and a heavy property owner
ing in office indefinitely of the present
members of the board, and ] am strongly
opposed to the creating life snap for
anyone"
X L. Browne-"While l am in favor OF
parks, the present financial stringency is
such that attempt to establish them
at the present is iladvised.''
Charles Hains. shoe dealer and heavy
property owner-'The money that would be
used in establishing a city park could be
spent in improving our streets and by this
city property might be made salable.
propose to fight the passage of the bi,.''
W.. II. Bridgens-"I am opposed to the
passage of the proposed bill and believe
that every taxpayer in the city is of the
same spirit. 1t should not be considered
by the legislature
r. L. Cable-"The direct result of thC
passage of the park bill would be to dis
possess every poor man, who. by hare
work. has accumulated enough to purchas,
a small home
Judge J. s. Stockton-"I am in favor o
n good park law, but am opposed to per
petuating in office any certain number o
men TO constitute park board and TIL
Selection of such board should be submit
ted to the people at a general election"
j. B. Scroggs, James f. Getty, II. NJ
Downs. J.. ]. Early, John Gibson, Henr,
IIorseman. c. F. Wilmer and John Caskey
all property owners, expressed themselve
as being opposed TO the proposed bill.
o. Nj. Wilson, D. d. Hoag, c. X. Well
and several other well known citizens ar
working in the interests or the bill. 1t /
not thought that the promoters of the parl
scheme will be able TO get the park bill
through the legislature.