The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-13
THE MOVEMENT
A POPULAR ONE
Mr.. Pollock Desires the Parks to be
Made Attractive.
MAYOR AND THE PATRONAGE.
mr. Taylor Willing to Leave the Pro-
posed Changes to the Decision Of
the peopie--Thc Street
Cleaning System.
MAYOR AND The PATRONAGE.

The proposition TO improve and enlarge
Reservoir Park, so as to make il a rnuch
more popular resort, seems to be a very
popular one. Most OF the counciinen who
have been interviewed on the subject hear
thy favor the scheme
Inc real father of the movement is Coun-
Gilman 6. K Pollock, OF Jackson Ward
Aoou: year ago." said he yesterday, Il
offered resolution in the Council look
ing to making Reservoir Park a more at
tracuve resort. President Ebcl knew full
well when he appointed me to the
Grounds and Buildings Committee my
Views on This subject During the next
two years 1 still use my influence and
vote TO improve our parks. There are
thousands and thousands of people who
cannot afford To go away from The city
during the summer. II is our duty, and
1t should be our pleasure to provide for
them every possible comfort and amuse-
ment at home.
My idea is that at comparatively small
cost all OF our parks could be greatly i'm
proved. For instance, there should be
toilet quarters in every park and ample
provision made for drinking-water
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED.
viii say that the city owns there prop
erty Of great value. 1t is not visited bv
anything like SO large a number of people
as one might expect. What is the reason
for this? To my mind, the place is not
SO attractive as it should be. With two
great street-car systems centering there,
Reservoir Park ought to attract tho,1-
sands OF people every afternoon and
night. / am most heartily in favor of es
tablisfling there free bathing pool and
providing for all sorts Of athletic sports.
including a gymnasium. The city should
either dispose of its valuable real estate
holdings at that place or else provide
such improvements as Will attract the
people
In brief, it is my earnest desire to aid
in a great movement that will result in
enabling the stay-at-homes. at only lit
tie more than street-car fare, to spend a
pleasant afternoon and evening
Mr.. Pollock was the author Of the res
olution providing for the concerts in the
parks. These concerts have attracted
tens of thousands OF people and have been
greatly enjoyed.
CITY PATRONAGE.
The suggestion that the city charter
ought 10 ba SO changed as 10 give the Mayor
power 10 appoint the officials now elected
by the Council or its committees. is being
much discussed in political circles. Mayor
Taylor, when seen in refernce 10 this mat
ter. said:
Il am willing TO leave this whole mat
ter To the people. They can be trusted
in al things. l am opposed TO rings and
ciiquss, bat my fuith in the sober iuGg-
1nent of the great masses of voters re-
mains mistaken Ii they think il wise TO
amend the city charter, so as to enlarge
the powers of the Mayor. the proposition
VIII have my hearty approval: but if on
the contrary, the people think it better
agreeable 10 me-
The Mayor IS now serving his fourth
term, and ii is believed that he is quite
well satisfied with matters US they are.
The proposed change in the charter
meets with the approval of many people
but there are a number who contend that
the present system has worked we'll and
should not he changed.
STREET CLEANING.
The Committee on Health will, it is I'M
derstood, inaugurate a number OF reforms
In that Department
Councilman Phil. Shea, a now member
Of tha committee, is a very earnest adyo-
cate Of clean streets and he has already
gone to work to inform himself as TO
what Is done by other cities, with a view
to offering some plan whereby the pres
ent system may be improved upon.
Mr.. Shea, il Is said is an advo-
cato OF an entire separation of the health
and street departments.
The most important change he will
suggest VIII be to return the three sani-
tary officers TO the police force, Were
their services are alleged 10 be badly
needed. and TO create the office of Super
intendent Of Street Cleaning. He would
put the entire work in charge OF one head
and hold that officer responsible.
Mr. Shea's plan has been generally ap-
proved by those to whom it has been
mentioned, 1t is quite erident that the
committee VIII make an effort to revo-
lution-ze the whole system of street
cleaning.