The Saint Paul globe., 1902-06-03
Park Commissi0 0ners to Take
Up DR.. Ohage1s Request
at Next Meeting
WILL FIGHT TO A FINISH
Health Commissioners Says He Is
Convinced People Are with Him.
and Will Not Abandon
His Struggle.

Saddened and downcast by reason OF
the treatment which he received from
the commercial bodies of the city, but
sun hopeful and determined. DR.. Ohage
mas returned with his West side park
project to the board of park commission
ers, where he first found encouragement.
Inc park board, however warned by re-
cent outbursts of public sentiment On
both sides of the question that the con-
hlct between the doctor and aestheticism
on the one hand and the Industrial eIe-
ment and commerciaIism on the other is
pound to be bitter and hard fought, is
now loath to stand sponsor for the Ohage
park.
Such is the situation as it was disclosed
at the meeting of the park board last
evening. 1t is generally agreed among
those most interested that under the law
as it now stands the board could not JUS
t1tiably take decisive steps toward the
condemnation Of the property contemplat-
ed in DR.. Ohage's plan. The question has.
however, been put up to the board again
in formal manner, and, although the
members admit that they dread the bitter
and active controversy that it will entail
1t Will receive due consideration, and both
sides will be heard at the next regular
meeting of the board to be held two
weeks from last night
The members present last evening were
President Wheelock and Commissioners
Aberle, Allen and Earl
The Ohage park question was first
brought up by c. B. Gedney. who said he
had read in an evening paper that Dr.
Ohage would present at this meeting a
petition to the board for the condemna-
ton of certain property on the West side
leVee for park purposes, and he wanted
to enter an early protest. His protest, he
said would be based upon the grounds
that this park would entail unnecessary
expense and that for the present at least
and perhaps for ten or fifteen years to
come the access to Harriet island now
afforded is adequate and safe Before he
could proceed farther President Wheelock
called his attention to the fact that his
protest was not only early but in fact
premature, as no such petition as he
spoke of had yet been presented to the
board.
DR.. Ohage Starts In.
In the meantime, however, DR.. Ohage
had entered the room and, hearing the
remarks of Mr.. Wheelock, the doctor
said that if the West side park was un-
der discussion he would facilitate mat
ters by making "a formal petition at this
time to the board for the condemnation
of the property in the block east of Wa
basha street. lying between the two main
tracks and Water street He said he
did not want to take any unfair advan-
ta0A anVb0fV--po+ ayayo re NV Ca
ney-and he would even consent to eat
some of Mr.. Gedney's pickles if he would
be a good fellow and meet the matter
fairly He thought the West side fac
tories could find other suitable locations
without great deal of trouble, but no
other property would answer the pur-
poses of this park
Commissioner AberIe raised the ques-
tion of how the assessment could be fair
sly distributed over the city and it was
agreed that this could only be done by
amendment of the city charter, as under
the present conditions it would be nsces-
sary to assess the entire cost of the park
against the property of the West side
DR.. Ohage said he did not wish the West
side to bear all Of the expense and the
members Of the board agreed that it
would not be just. 1t was suggested by
ture bonds could be authorized, but this
would take time, and until some such
provision was made the board could do
nothing decisive. DR.. 9hage said he was
in no hurry and was willing to wait as
long as might be necessary If he had the
assurance that the park plan would be
carried out 1.-THE people are with me-
he said, land feeling convinced of that
/ am going to fight this thing to a fin
ish'
Take 1t Up at Next Meeting.
After some further discussion, which
was principally of an informal character
and in the course of which Dr. Ohage and
Mr.. Gedney several times exchanged
pointed remarks, Dr. gOhage's petition
was by motion of Commissioner Aberle
placed on file, and it was agreed that
when it came up for consideration the in
terested persons should be notified.
Later i'll the progress of the meeting
it was decided to take the petition up at
the next regular meeting, although it was
agreed that for the present at least the
board could do nothing: At this time Mr..
WEeelock said: Il rather dread the con-
sideration Of this matter, for, although
the doctor may be right in believing that
the people are with him as a majority
think we will find that there is a bitter
and active opposition to this park The
controversy on this question Will be
earnest and hard fought.
Land for River Boulevard
A resolution was adopted whereby the
city council is requested TO place under
the control and supervision of the park
board that portion of Summit avenue in
DesnCyer Park addition, between Mar
shall avenue and the western city limits
The purpose Of this resolution is to in
clude this avenue in the Mississippi river
boulevard.
A resolution was adopted providing for
the cutting Of grass on the boulevard on
Iglehart street, between Harrington and
Lexington avenues, and on Laurel ave-
nue., between Victoria and Chatsworth
streets Another resolution provided that
hereafter signers of petitions asking the
park board to take charge of the boule-
wards on city streets must make affidavit
that they own property on those streets.
Bills and payrolls for May amounting
in all to 50 900 were allowed.
The beard adjourned to meet again
next Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock for
the purpose OF considering the Mississippi
river boulevard.
.RI0TING IN GH|CAC0