The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-11-02
HEARING ON PARKS
Lafayette and Twelfth Ward
Delegations Urge Their
Claims On the Fin
anciers.
MAYOR 4 STRONG ADVOCATE
Thinks the People Should Get
the Improvements as
Soon as Possible.

ideally AI4C GAM 10
tives of the Twelfth Ward improvement
Association, waited upon the Board OF
Finance at its meeting yesterday after-
each of the sections represented a punilc
mark Mavor Hoos was also present and
participated in the conference.
me Spokesman of the Lafayette con-
t,nrent was Archibald A. Campbell OF
pacific avenue and Lafayette street he
first submitted a copy OF a resoiueion
adonted by the Citizens Association on
October 10, urgently requesting the Soafo
of Finance to grant the application OF
the people for a park in the LaiaseNe
section and to issue the necessary poius
for the purchase of the SIT seieeleo.s
MFR. Campbell then said that ne nrst
wished to refAte the idea that some ap-
reared to have that he wanted a parh
on the site selected for the advancement
of his own personal interest. This was
not so. and in advancing this ne was ach-
ing for the benefit of all the people q
Lafayette. He asked that the promise
made by the city officials to give Lalay-
elite. people, a park be kept TINS promise
was made by. Mayor Hoos before election.
Mr.. Campbell intimated that the mayor
was responsible for the non-action OF the
Board. because the members were ap-
nointed by him and that the Boards first
duty was to act entirely according 10 ms
( desires
This aroused the Mayor. who quite in
~dignantly replied
Though it is true that the members OF
the Board are my appointees, they were
appointed without any strings on them,
no promise or pledges were exacted OF
them. and they are to act entirely Tor
themselves, and on their WI responsible
ity. I am in favor of parks and will DO
all I can to secure them, and that IS all
the promise 1 ever made in regard to
them; but I cannot control the action OF
this Board. 1t is for them, if they see
their way clear to provide the money, ana
I viii not withhold my approval. l would
like every section to have a park II the
finances of the city would allow 1t"
Mr.. Campbell reiterated the statement
about the promises of candidates Tor
offices and politicians which nave not
been fulfilled.
President Lembeck said hat because
they were, appointed by the Mayor that
was no reason that they should do just
as the citizens asked.
l6 DOdIQ Hoe ~ w 40 4
the money of the city and can do no
more. The Board is willing to do every
thing possible to secure improvements
throughout the city, but at the present
time the demand is greater thar we can
make provision for. We have a new
High School to build, which is more es-
sential than a public park"
Mr.. Campbell said a park would in
crease the value of all the surrounding
property. raise the tax thereon and there
by the money therefore expended would
come back to the city.
Commissioner Mullins related a CONVEX
sation he previously had with Mr.. Camp
bell in relation to this matter. in which
he said the latter told him he owned prop
erty fronting the proposed park site. This
Mr.. Campbell denied, but said he was a
taxpayer and willing to pay his share to
secure a park. Mr.. Mullins said, in regard
to the ~intimation that the members OF
the board were pledged to do as the May
or said or carry out his promises, that
no promise or pledge had eyer been ex-
acted of him by the Mayor, and if he
thought any Of his colleagues were I'M
der such promise he would not sit in the
board with them.
81 am a taxpayer" said Mr.. Mullins,
"and I don't care what my taxes are III
pay them; but others do care, and we
have to consider the interest of all. ]
am heart and soul in favor of improve
ments and will vote forthem just as soon
as 1 believe the hnancia condition of the
city will allow. 1 am in favor of having
parks and know that it is the intention
of the board to provide parks just as
soon as it is possible for it to do so"
Dr.. Mortimer J. Lampson expressed his
regret that some words, perhaps objec-
tionable,f a been. spoken, but hoped they
would be forgotten. The committee came
there, he said, to represent the citizens
of Lafayette.
''They pay pretty high taxes there HI
added, "and have come to ask the board
to strain a point and endeavor to gram
their application and give them this i'm
provement. The streets of Lafayette
which were once the ehildren's play
ground, are now so gridironed with troll
ley car rails that it is dangerous to g.
on them, and the people a some plac,
where they can take their children TO
health and recreation. They nave secure
the passage of a bill by the Legislatur
for this purpose and the argument the,
used on the Legislature and the Cover
nor should be conclusive to this board.
real beauty spot had been provided tn
people Of G~reenville, and one of the mem
bers of this board was instruments il
providing 1t, and why should not tn
people of Lafayette nave as much don
for them? The property can be obtain
ed cheap, and let us have a place wher
mothers can wheel their baby carriage
n the Members Of this board will be
come most popular"
President Lembeck inquired of d.
Lampson If they could not find a bette
site thar the one proposed along tn
bank of the Canal, saying he did nc
think that ground in which vegetable
would not grow was suitable for a parl
After some discussion in regard to th
selection Of a site, the Twelfth Wa
delegation was given the floor. i.
Architect George Van ARK said that the
already had the site, a plot on 0gde
avenu purchased by the city for a parl
and all they asked was for this board !
furnish money to lay it out and beautif
whe they wanted it, and was indee
an Ideal spot. They would, of cours'
like the city to purchase and add to tn.
plot the adjoining inside tract, but woul
be satisfied with what they had II 1t WI
improved as they desired.
THERE is A CLASS OF PEOPL
who are injured by the use Of coffe