The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-07
THE PARK QUESTION.


THE PARK QUESTION.
The Civic Improvement League sent
a communication to the Astoria water
commission. urging upon that auxili-
ary organization the advisahility OF
purchasing few lots In the vicinity
Of the old reservoir for a city park.
The directory does not disclose the
name Of any such organization. neither
under the head OF lodges and orders.
or transportation companies. There
was at one time, an organization by
that name doing business in Astoria.
They collected considerable revenue
from different persons and lodges TO be
used in beautifying the streets of the
city. AS none OF 1t was ever used for
that purpose. it probably was used to
beautify the residences of some OF the
members who held the sack. AT least,
no report was ever made Of the receipts
and disbursements, and 1t went out OF
business. when the donations ceased.
A Civic Improvement League is an
important adjunct for any city. organi-
xations of this kind have been organ
ixed in many cities and towns and have
accomplished many important reforms.
especially in beautifying the city, its
streets. parks and public places. There
is room for an organization of this kind
in Astoria. The streets Of Astoria are
strewn with paper, rubbish, tomato
cans potato peelings. banana peels and
decayed vegetables. Probably the prin-
cipal business streets show the most
signs of the total depravity of the peo-
pie. Along the water front and the
railroad track are hundreds of old rook-
cries that would not be allowed TO ex-
list in civilized community. Some Of
them are occupied by fishermen and
bachelors, and others are occupied by
rats Some of them are ready to tumble
down. and others will in the near fu-
ture. These old buildings never burn
down--because they are not insured,
the rates being too high.
A Civic Improvement League when
properly organized and in good work.
ing order, brings sufficient influence
TO bear upon the common council and
the health officers to see that these old
rookeries and wrecks are removed and
the city placed in a sanitary condition.
This is what they have accomplished
in other cities and what can be ac-
complished in Astoria.
But as to requesting the water COM
mission to invest money In a few lots
for public park purposes, we are in
ciined to the belief that the water COM
mission is engaged in the business Of
supplying the city and its inhabitants
with water and diatoms. They have
no authority to purchase property for
public parks, Dealing In water and
dealing in land are two distinct voca-
tIons. II the members Of the league
would subscribe for local paper, they
a public park and that tax Of half a
mill is annually levied for park pur-
poses. There is also park commits
sion, and the communication from the
Civic Improvement League should have
been addressed to, them. They could
then have presented 1t to the common
council with their recommendations, II
they believed the request worthy Of
consideration. OF course the MEM
bers Of the league are not to blame for
their Ignorance, few il any of them
reading any Of the Astoria newspapers,
but they could have consulted some
one that was familiar with city affairs.
and got the right steer. AS 1t is, the
communication embodies more of pre-
mediated ignorance, than merit
Astoria needs a public park, and it
has one situated OIL high eminence in
the rear of the reservoir. It is called
a park because the ground was pur-
chased for that purpose. 1t was pur-
chased originally by the Push Club
and turned over to the common council
and the mayor was authorized TO ap-
point a park commission. The money
raised by taxation has been used to
complete the payments on the pur-
chase price. As soon as that Is done
steps win probably be taken to beautify
II and make it attractive.
In order that the members of the
league may be thoroughly informed on
this subject, 1t is to be hoped that
someone will hand some Of the officers
a copy Of this paper. The business of
the city. purchasing park sites and