The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-15

ldnQ IS the most DeautlIui Indl can W AOuiiu
hereabouts. 1 think the people VIII sus-
tain you, said he. and | for one want TO
see it move along"
NJ. B. Wilson said that If he ever got any
benefits OF the parks and enjoy such prlVi-
leges in Indianapolis as had been ms in
other cities it must be within the next twen-
~ years. he thought that the city SRo9 nc.
have parks where man might go with ms
children to spend day when ne teit
so inclined. He expressed the hope that
the citizens of Indianapolis would take the
interest in the subject it deserved. lie did
not believe in straining ~ gnat TO save
a little money, If the 100000 people OF In
vancement would be made, and for one he
was willing to pay his share at any time.
The sooner the work began, in his estima-
ton, the better it would be.
MIR. BYRAM FAVOPS BONDS.
n. S. Byram added his voice to what had
been said. IF we intend to become city
among cities,'' said he, I'VE have got to
have a park system l think it is a pity we
did not commence twenty years ago." Mr..
Byram expressed himself as favoring the
sale of bonds as the only practicable plan.
Joseph Flack, who was one of the asses
sors appointed under the old Park Board,
spoke briefly. He said that he had heard it
stated that the appraisement fixed on the
lands was too low, and that it could not
be bought for less than third more than
fixed He questioned the accuracy of
this and cited instances where parties who
first objected to taking the price fXed by
the assessors We're afterWard ANXIOUS 20
nave IT taken at that price: Mr.. rack re-
grets to see the land on the west SIDE or
White river eliminated and expressed the
idea that parks are more necessary In the
more thlckly settled portions OF the city
than out toward the fair grounds. he
thought it would be a good idea to cut off
land in that direction and buy more further
down town instead OF making shoe-
string park out toward the fair grounds,
If the sentiment expressed by South Side
councilmen last night is any. indication of
will fare in that body, there will be some
difficulty in that direction. Dr.. Moffett and
Mr.. McGreW both expressed the idea that
it is unwise in burdening the future with
the debt of the present generation. DR..
Moffett declared that it would cost $4,000
a year to maintain the parks and that the
city would find it impossible to meet all it's
park obligations, including the large annual
interest charges, without increasing the
tax levy perhaps z per cent. Mr. McGreW
said that he agreed very largely with DR..
Moffett.
Mr.. Shaffer said that as he understood
the situation, the board has $30O,OO0 avala-
BILE for lands and 500 600 for improvements;
that the latter amount was about $l62OOO
short of what is needed and that the Coun-
Gil must authorize the issue of bonds Il
pledge myself" said Mr.. Shaffer, ito vote
for anything the Board of Works asks"
This elected hearty round of applause
that was renewed when Mr.. Bowser COM
mitted himself in the same direction. With
these exceptions and that OF another MEM
Der, the councilmen were cautious about
expressing any promises for appropriations.
Indeed, a number of the South Side coun-
cilmen said in so many words that they
wanted parks for the South Side, and would
not support the plan that has been outlined
until they were given what they want for
their wards.
SOUTH-SIDE CLAIMS.
President Mahoney, while expressing him
self in a general way as favorable to parks,
was cautious about making pledges Messrs.
Bernauer and knight both put in a good
word for Garfield Park ami explained they
wanted more done toward identifying it.
inasmuch as it is the only park available
to the South Side. Mr.. Smith, of the First
ward, was glad that the Pogues run parks /.
were to be made and remarked that 81
spent there would go as far as $40 on the
other system. Mr.. Merrick was another
man who was willing to vote for such ap-
as the board might ask.
Il feel that the North Side is not the
only section of the city that is entitled to
parks, said Mr.. Little. 1.-The South Side
ought to have something in that way-be-
sides Sellers farm. This remark nearly
threw Commodore" Higgins into a parox-
ysm of joy and he applauded loudly.
Il agree somewhat with Mr.. Little said
Mr.. McGrew. Il regret that the gentlemen
dla not drive down Kentucky avenue when
planning their parks. The dumps back of
might be made into something OF a park
system II unsightly lands are to be made
beautiful, why stop at Washington street?''
MIR Madden regretted that the canal had
not been included. He said that it was q
natural place for bouevards and already
has a bicycle path to Broad Ripple leading
through most beautiful country.
Commodore" Higgins came in late. He
explained that he had not heard all the
plans discussed. Il heard Mr.. Power say"
said he, that the park system was to be
six and a half miles long, beginning at
Washington street [ think it would be adj
visable to cut Off two miles and put it in
the South Side, east and west. We have no
there-I am sorry we have not-but we have
got some votes in the Council, and when it
comes to making appropriations We'll look
after that part of town." MessrS Scanlon
and Harston spoke briefly, expressing in a
general way a desire to see parks made.
Mr.. Harston was taking his first lesson"
in parks, however, and did not want to
commit himself until he had taken few
more lessons.
Mayor Taggart answered the councilmen
been invited to be present to hear what was
said in order to get an idea of what is be-
ing done. He said that he had no doubt all
of opinion would be adjusted
when the board has a chance to confer with
the Council. Il am glad to see the council
as it shows they are careful of the interests
of their constituents" said he "They are
in the right, and | have no doubt an agree
ment can be reached in reasonable and
way"
Amongl other things the mayor spoke of
plans that are being considered for further
improving Greenlawn Cemetery and taking
all dead mans land along the river, rid
ding it of shacks and dugouts Sodding it
and making it presentable.