The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-09
OPPOSE NEW PARK BONDS
SUFFICIENT COUNCILMEN THUS IN
CLINED TO KILL THE SCHEME.
Apparent that Tax Levy Must BE In
creased-Administrat Finds
Itself in n Dilemma.

Messrs. Wells, Thornton and Coyner, the
committee which has urged that the land
along Pogue's run east of Rural street he
included in the park system, called on
Controller Johnson yesterday afternoon to
insist that the 1870 acres be surveyed and
purchased now with the Fall creek and
White river land. Park Engineer Power
says that while the POgues run land has
not been surveyed, that it will be done as
soon as the Fall creek work is finished.
I'VE are about through with that work.
said Mr.. Power, and we are now ready for
the work of appraising the price of the
land. do not know whether that will be
done by the Board of Public Works or by
appraisers to be appointed by them" Mr..
Power was unable to say whether, in de-
termining the value of the land to be
bought, the figures of the assessors APP
pointed by the former Park Board would
be followed or not Members of the Board
of Works say that the hoard has itself
power and authority to appraise the value
of the land instead of appointing others to
do it. The work is progressing with fair
amount of rapdity and will ere long. be in
shape to lay before the Council, when the
question of buying the land designated by
the board will receive attention.
1t is almost foregone conclusion that the
Council will not authorize the issuance of
100000 more park bonds TO raise money TO
improve the land that is to be bought. 1t
will take u two-thirds vote to pass such an
ordinance Already six members of the
Council are known to oppose such d meas
ure, as they believe that's the city's debt
should not be increased. While others who
have been interviewed on the subject re-
than the necessary two thirds favor such an
ordinance This simply means that If the
land is bought the city will be land poor
and that no extensive improvements so can
OOO for the purchasing OF lana and some
$63, 900 for Improvements. The latter amount.
VIII not make much or an impression
toward establishing a park system. An in
fluential member of the Park Bureau said
the other day that he hoped the Council
would not authorize the issue of more
bonds. In his estimation it is only a ques-
ton of another year or before the city'S
tax levy will have to be increased, and he
ten cents on the 500 for park improvements.
THAT would produce" said he, lin the
neighborhood of 100000 a year, and a very
creditable showing could be made year by
year with that amount. This year the
School Board has added eight cents to the
tax levy, and the county government five
cents. The city levy has been but sixty
cents Tor years, and there is no reason why
1t should not be- increased for something of
ulFecL DenenI TO Indianapolis.
There is almost as much opposition TO an
increase of the levy in the Council as there
is to adding $500 900 TO the bonded debt al
ready within $324000 of the constitutional
limit. The administration is between two
unpleasant dilemmas If the land is bought,
with comparatively nothing in sight for i'm
provement, there will be criticism, it is said
and If the debt is increased to the limit or
the tax levy is raised there will be even
more criticism. There is one political reason
advanced in favor of issuing bonds for inn
provement, and that is that a campaign is
10 take place in this county this year. As
the work will doubtless be done by city
officials directly instead of by private con-
tract, it is argued that much political adj
vantage to the Democratic machine might
be reaped from a fund of $780, 600 at its dis
posal for the employment of labor. 1t is
said by ambitious councilmen, however.
some of whom are willing to become county
candidates, that they do not care to place
such card i'll the hands of the mayor, who
would use it to further his own political
ends. All these considerations are bound
to have a bearing on the question OF an
other 500 600 mark loan