The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-24
PARKS PUT IN NEW HANDS.
TAKEN FROM THE PARK COMMITS
SIONERS' CONTROL.

Street and Lane Department-ThS
Commissioners Protest Against
the Mayors ActiOn-The work o.
Improving the Squares and Grass
Plots to Begin To-day.
The street and lane department under
Commissioner of Public Works Willink,
will take charge of the work of caring for
the parks and squares to-day under au-
thority of an order issued by Mayor Mel
drim. Commissioner Wilink was notified
to this effect yesterday by Chairman
Davis of the street and lane committee.
This is the result of the twice repeated
refusal of council TO provide further funds
for the work of the commission. While
there may be and undoubtedly is, a diff
ference of opinion as to the action of
council in this matter, the public Will be
glad to know that the work of caring for
the parks and squares is to be resumed.
Forsyth and Colonial parks, the squares
and grass plats have fallen into most
disreputable condition since the commits
sion suspended its force nearly three
weeks ago, and 1t will be necessary to do
considerable work to restore them to their
former orderly condition.
While the care of the parks, squares,
trees and grass plats is placed by law in
the control OF the park and tree commits
sion, that body will not interpose any OBJ
stacle to the performance of this work
by the street and lane committee. They
have no intention of resigning their posi-
tons, however, and will continue their
existence as an official body, contenting
themselves with a formal protest to the
mayor against his action in transferring
the work assigned to them by law to other
hands.
The issue of the order by the mayor
placing the work in the hands of the
street and lane department was preceded
by some correspondence between the may
or and the commission. Mayor Meldrim
addressed a communication to the park
and tree commission, requesting to
know, at their very earliest convenience,
whether they were now, in fact, caring
for the trees, grass and flowers In the
parks and squares" To this communica-
ton the commissioners replied that they
were not caring for the trees, grass and
flowers in the parks and squares" in the
way of expanding money on them for
the reason that our appropriation for this
which your attention has already been in
vited but we are exercising a general su-
pervision over them under the law, as
well as over other departments of our
work for which we have funds. We would
call your attention again to the fact that
an appropriation to continue our work in
the parks and squares is necessary"
This communication was signed by Mr..
w. w. Gordon, Jr., secretary of the park
and cnnFUf Ggi0U MaUnr Mpldriua
piled, acknowledging the receipt Of the
communication, and inclosing a copy of
his order transferring the work of the
commission to the street and lane depart
ment. The order is as follows:
Savannah, Ga, June %, 1ST.-Whereas,
the park and tree commission is not caring
for the trees, grass and flowers in the
parks and squares; and,
Whereas, Said commission is unable to
care for them by reason of the appropria-
ton for that purpose being exhausted;
and
Whereas, Council has refused to make
further appropriation; and,
Whereas The care and protection of the
property of the city is the first duty of
the municipal government; therefore, 1t is
ordered, that the committee on streets and
lanes is hereby requested and empowered
10 care for the parks, squares and grass
plats of the city.
(Signed) P. W. MELDRIM,
Mayor City Of Savannah.
Mayor Meldrim said yesterday that the
communications to Chairman Stone of
the commission and Chairman Davis of
the street and lane committee were sent
out earlier than he had intended. through
an error in the clerks office, as his inten-
ton was to hold the order for a consulta-
uon with the city attorney. On this ac-
count, he said. he withheld the fact of the
order having been issued.
Council having refused to make any
appropriation to the park and tree com
mission to enable that body TO continue its
work said Mayor Meldrim, 'it was nee
essary that some provision be made to
care for this work. 1t was not a question
as TO who was entitled to carry on the
work so much as il was a necessity that
the work should be carried on. The grass
has become rank in the squares and grass
pats, weeds have sprung up, the parks
are badly in need of attention, and the
point has been reached where the work
can no longer be neglected. The council
having refused 10 provide for the further
conduct Of the work by the COMM ssion,
the only thing to do was TO place it in the
hands OF those who could care for IT, The
street and lane department can carry on
the work very well, and very likely with
out any increase In its appropriation The
equipment OF the department can be used
Tor the park and tree work, and the eX-
pense OF maintaining a separate plant
avoided. There is nothing very difficult in
cutting grass and keeping down weeds
which is about all there is 10 do now la
the park and tree line and very probably
Chairman Davis might contrive to raise
a few flowers in the squares, IL there are
not too many other matters to demand his
attention"
Personally" continued Mayor Meldrim.
Il was In hopes that council would make
a small appropriation TO the park and
tree commission, sufficient to enable Il to
carry its work through the year My re-
iations with the members Of this commits
sion have always been very pleasant. e
was the only commission TO which no OBJ
lection was raised during the last cam
paign. ] regarded Its work with approval
ana demonstrated this by aiding In the
passage OF an act at the last session of
the legislature 10 increase the commits
sion's powers By giving It control Of the
labor and extending authority over Lau-
Eel Grove cemetery"
AS 20 the question OF the authority OF
the mayor 20 issue the order or OF the
legality Of the order In the face OF the act
giving the park and tree commission con-
troll OF certain work, Mayor Meldrim said
that where the citys interests are con-
cerned he could not AFFORD TO stand back