The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-06-22

years, it is seen that the average an
nual assessment will be only 70 cents.
A large park would do much to at
tract homeseekers and those who loon
into the future Will see the necessity
of getting control of the beauty spots
gone as was the case with Nlcollet
Island and other places. ,
In the mann the foregoing is the line
of argument Of the park enthuslasts.
They have agitated for years and final
ly have secured the passage by the. park
board of. resolution designating
tract of land along Single Creek for
park purposes and appointing commits
sioners to distribute assessments.
Terms have been reached with an the
owners of the land wanted for the pro-
posed park. - No deeds have been
passed. however, and the assessors have
not begun work owing to the strong
opposition started by Andrew Hanson,
the grocer, at 1858 Dupont avenue N.
Object to Price.
Mr.. Hanson is not opposed to park,
From an esthetic standpoint he be-
lieves in parks, and so do all who are
making the fight with him. What he
objects to is the high prices to be paid
for the land, and the methods Of the
park promoters.
"This talk of the small expense of a
park is very plausible to listen to, -
SAID Mr.. Hanson today, 'but if the
present scheme is put thru it will be
the ruin of some landholders. 1t must
be remembered that there are large
tracts in this part Of the city which
are not improved, and are held in large
| tracts. There are several men who
hold 200 lots and even more. To pile
| an assessment of even a couple OF dol
lars in addition to the regular taxes on
BILE lots will be big burden. For thet
reason the largest taxpayers in thi,
district are opposed to the park
Among them on the opposition petit
tions are Charles Bohannon, Mr. GILES
pie, Leon>rd Bohannon, the C. A
Smith Lumber company and others.
If the land had been secured for :
reasonable sum there would, Of course
be less objection to the plan. 1t is 6
rate of $4,000 each, which were bought
a short time ago for $500, and are worth
no more today The Oswald property
and the Dean tract have been unsafe
able at any price, and yet we are called
upon to pay for waterpower in con
nection with the Oswald land.
~ openly charge that many of thos'
| VINO are most actlVe In the park prOJec
will profit financially thereby thru dis
posing of their holdings at more thai
the market Value a'72s ~ ,t
cit is not denied that some sigma
lures have been secured in favor Of tn
park, but not very, many, for the gam
has been played in secret and in al
underhand manner. Those who did sig
were led to believe that business mel
Of Camden Place were to raise all, o
nearly all, the purchase price Of tn
land
"There is one great objection to lo
eating the park as proposed, and tina
is the presence Of the 500 tracks, whic
run thru the park for considerabl
distance. The existence of the railwa
makes it exceedingly dangerous TO
children who will be likely to frequen
such place.
"There are now l59 names on our or
posing petitions, and I am satisfied tina
they include the majority of the actus
property owners in this part of tn
city. On the basis Of the amount 0
land we have a large majority. W
feel confident that ave can convince tn
park board that it will be exceedingl
injudicious to go ahead with the par
plan under the present terms.'
What will be the outcome no one wi
say. Those on the fence seem to thin
that the contest is close. and say tina
they are absolutely Indifferent.