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


that the board had power to proceed, pro-
vided there was cooperation from other
city departments. and it was backed by
public sentiment.
1T is remarkable" said he, "that there
is nog word in this book" referring to
copy of the city charter, with reference
to parks, except in one section where the
Council is given power to change the names
OF parks. This perhaps had TO do with
which has since been knocked out Read
ing from the charter, however. Mr.. Kern
showed that the board had the right to
appropriate and condemn" property, real
or personal for any public purposes
including the opening of streets and alleys
and public places. This jurisdiction the
charter provides shall extend four miles out
or the city. lie quoted the procedure pre-
sscrlbed, which begins with d resolution for
the taking OF the property and on the final
nearing by the board requires roll of
property owners to be prepared showing
whether they are damaged or beneticially
erected by the proposed action. Public
places, evidently relates to parks, he said.
Concerning the matter of benefits he said
that when the board undertook TO build
levee, for instance, constructing it Of suffi-
cient width and strength for a boulevard
on top, that work would benefit all property
adjacent TO it. Pointing out one instance,
where 1t Is proposed 10 take four or five
acres of a tWelve-acre tract as an illustra-
ton, Mr.. Kern said that the city would
undoubtedly have the right to award the
owner damages for the land taken and as
sess benefits on account of the levee to the
remaining portions, as its value would
doubleday be enhanced. If a mans entire
possessions We're taken of course he could
not be assessed benefits, and they would fall
on his contiguous neighbor. On this theory
he thought that the ground necessary for
the boulevard should not cost the city any
considerable sum- as the benefits assessed
would pay for it. Mr.. Kern said that it
was not matter of law, but a matter of
policy how far the board should exercise
It's power to assess benefits. No one could
offer a reasonable objection to paying bene-
hts that actually accrued to lands adjacent
to the improvements. That he regarded as
an entirely different matter from striking
arbitrary lines six or seven blocks from the
proposed system. No matter where the line
might be drawn, the man on one side of the
street would feel that it was unjust for him
to be assessed while ais neighbor opposite
enjoyed equal advantages without having to
pay for them. This subject he said, was
pretty well discussed last fall, and he be-
lleved that the consensus of the city at
large would not stand such system. The
board will have money from the assess
ments to buy land said he, but not to
make Improvements. l think it is apparent
more money will be needed. think it was
generally agreed last fall the money needed
ought not to be laid on this generation, but
that longtime bonds should issue, so that
those that come after might bear part
of the burden A tax levy for this purpose
does not seem available. The people are al
ments. The practical question is how to
improve the lands. / do not believe that
and allowed to lie idle. Whether the sys-
TEN shall be completed by the money that
is on hands, that can be raised from the
sale of longtime bonds and fair assess
ments or whether the land shall be allowed
to lie idle is the question"
COMMERCIAL BODIES HEARD FROM.
Mayor Taggart called on representatives
of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade
for expressions. George Merritt, of the
former was the first. 1.-The only regret /
have to express said he, lis that some of
the system has to be cut out. The only
thing we can do is to proceed with what
we can now do, and trust to the future for
more land. 1t seems to me that the board
and Mr.. Power have cut off as little as
possible, considering the limited means at
their disposal. Mr.. Power has brought out
the great Improvement that is to be made
in the waterway. 1t is important to the city
that the water courses shall be protected
from pollution, as this will have a tendency
to do"
j. c. Adams, chairman of the Board of
Trade committee, said that his only regret
was that the city of Indianapolis will have
tenn as was originally contemplated. THE
people want parks said he. I'VE believe
that the Board of Works will do the best
possible Whatever you do, the people will
sustain you The people expect the parks
to be put in shape, not to remain unbeauti-
fled and unimproyed for an indefinite age
to come. 1 might suggest however, that
before you begin your navy, Mr.. Mayor
and Mr.. Power, that you might blaze your
and then talk about your lakes and islands.
Let the water wait until you get the road
way. AS chairman of the Board of Trade
committee, want to assure you that we
are with YOU"
Mr.. Power arose to reply to the objection
to the navy" Mr. Adams asked him if
the cost of the dams and water course was
not about equal to the cost of building the
boulevard, bicycle path. etc. Mr.. Power re-
piled that while this was true, the excava-
lions that would have to be made could be
used on the roadway. In his estimation the
work on both should proceed together. I'VE
have become reconciled to the bonds, con-
tinued Mr.. Adams. There was a time when
the idea cost us a little friction. / have
worn old clothes and denied myself to pay
taxes, sewer assessments, costs of streets
and other improvements. think 1t will be
proper for our children to help pay for the
parks"
NJ A Downing, president of the Foard of
Works, said that the board was approached
every Gay by people who want Inc lake
constructed.
Have you been approached by the water
works company with a proposition 70 pay
part of the cost of constructing lake?''
Mr.. Downing had not been so approached.
THE reason / ask is that the company
once told me they would help Guild lake"
THAT was before they sunk their deep
wells, guess said Mr.. Downing.
F. E: Wolcott,. a resident of the West
Side formerly chairman of the Council
financial committee, emphasized the point
that the dirt from the eXcaVatlons-millions
Of loads-would have to be hauled away and
could be utilized on the boulevard levee.
MR. KINNEY FAVORS BONDS.
II. T.. Kinney president of the Board of
Trade, favored the issuance of bonds. lit
occurs to me-" said he, that our children
are the ones that are going to get the bene-
fit,of the parks, and l do not understand
why they should not pay what they cost,
less the interest we will pay in this genera
ton. If we undertake to build by piecemeal
we Will double the expense. If we are COM
PEELED to make two or three issues of bonds
the same friction of feeling will be
countered every time I am inclined to
think the time TO lay out and provide for
complete system is now. | was opposed
to the proposition of assessing benefits
long distance from the parks 1 believe the
new idea with regard to assessments will
be met with little objection"
William Fortune spoke in the tenor of
those who had preceded him with regard
to purchasing all the land possible and with
regard to the deSirability of a water course
and the practcability of issuing bonds
LAS has been said" began Mr.. Fortune, lit
is business proposition we have to decide
This investment constitutes a very valuable
asset OF the city. There is an immediate
benefit from good roads, sewers and side
walks, likewise from parks, but in the lat
ter case there is increasing value that
don't share Mr.. Adams's idea that it is adj
visahle to slight any part of the work. 1t
has been cut to the bone now. The water
way / think will be the most popular
feature. one of the difficulties of this city
is the lack of lakes and waterways. There