Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-06-17
KNOCKERS And CHIPMUNKS.
THEY MAY BE ONE AND THE SAME,
WHO KNOWSs
Alderman Morgan Didn't Stop to Flu
cidate, but at Any Rate Some
of the smooth Park
Knockers Spoke.

An informal meeting of members of bott
houses of the city council was held last
night in the lower house chamber for the
purpose of discussing the proposed parks
and bOuleVards. All of the members Of the
upper house were present, but the lower
house was represented by only three of its
members, Speaker Smith and CouncIlmen
Hough and Wolf. 1t was $50 o'clock when
the meeting was called to order by Speak
er Smith. Alderman Morgan was nominated
for chairman, but he declined to serve and
Speaker Smith was chosen in his stead.
The meeting was informal from start to
finish, and the few citizens in the lobby
who came expecting to be enlightened upon
the great and absorbing park question
went away without acquiring the desired
information.
Alderman Morgan, who has been a ger
sistent park knocker, surprised everyone
present by refusing to make a speech and
register his kick when called upon for
his views. Alderman Morrison, whose rec
ord as a knocker is second to that of no
man in the city, professed great friendship
posed a scheme that would defer further
action in regard to beautifying the city
and providing breathing places for its peo-
pie for more than two years.
Alderman Brown was requested by Speak
er Smith to state the object of the meet
Ing. He said that his understanding was
dIIOTu
the members Of the two houses of the cOun-
Gil an opportunity TO exchange views con-
cerning the West Terrace and Penn Valley
parks, as modified by the new plans of the
park board. Also to consider the North
Terrace park condemnation and the con-
formations for the smaller parks and
paseos. He believed that every member of
the council had been approached by per
sons who held all manner of views in re-
gard to the three large parks. Many men
who owned property in the West park dis
raFN kT.H Nfanfv
sessments for the West Terrace and Penn
Valley parks were too much in excess of
those Of the North Terrace park. and be
cause of these complaints the park board
had greatly modified the plans of these two
parks, reducing the cost of them about one
half.
Alderman Brown Airs His Views.
Il voted for each of these condemna-
tions," said Alderman Brown. "and the
only one to which l made objection was
the North Terrace. I thought the board
ought not TO have included three pieces of
property that by taking would increase the
cost of that park about $4,000 The YER
diets of the JurieS in each of these con-
demnations, the West and North Terrace
and the Penn Valley parks. were larger
than the members Of the park board. the
members of the council and the people of
Kansas City thought they would be. Now
II is difficult for many property owners to
pay the large park tax and the per cent
interest that has been imposed upon them.
l believe this excessive tax will seriously
impair the selling of real estate BY
largely increasing the taxation persons de-
si,inS to purchase property in Kansas City
wiz refuse to do so unless the owners pay
the entire park taxes assessed against their
properties
Now. l believe there should be two
parks upon the West Side, but they should
not be made too large. If the ordinances
for the repeal of the Penn Valley and
West and North Terrace parks were to
come before the upper house for action,
would vote for them. But I don't say
that l would not vote for ordinances put
2 firm believer in small parks. like
Holmes square. and think we can't get
too many of them. But I don't believe
in the North Terrace, which is all hills and
Nestment for the city at the price that is
to be paid. The area of the West Terrace
park should be much smaller than pro-
vided for in the original plans
Alderman MunsOn was next called upon
for his views. He promptly responded. Il
am in favor parks Of every description"
he said, 'and of everything that will make
Kansas City beautiful and attractive. The
people of the Seventh ward are in favor
Of the park boards plans, but I am not. |
1 think they are too expensive. and
don't believe in paying 5000 900 or $4,000 |
fo- a lot Of hills and gulches. / tHInk the |
city can do better"
Alderman Munson then expressed the |
opinion that the city ought to abandon the |
NOrths Terrace park project and purchase 1
the Forbes * Heager tract for $500. .0O0. He /
thought there would be more, depots in /
Kansas City IN a few yearS--that several |
II the railroads now using the Union depot |
would abandon 1t and go elsewhere.
For that reason" said he. L don't think 1
flying the West bluff. / will vote for the |
'epeal of the Penn Valley, North and West |
Terrace park ordinances. then we can see /
this vast sum OF money that II is pro- |