Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-01-26
Hon. William jackson, President OF
Park Commission, Dimes Alder
men and the Officials.

urer; all of the aldermen. the city en-
gineer. the city clerk, and representa-
tives of the press.
Appeal to Citizens.
The guests were all seated at one
long table in the Harper house cafe,
with Mr. Jackson at the head. Having
learned the feminine trait of touching
mems hearts by way of their stomachs,
the host had. through Manager
McIIugh, provided a bOuntiful supply
of good things, which were disposed of
before the question of finances and
parks was taken up. The object of the
gathering apart from the social part
of il, was to determine the feeling
of the council toward liberal appropria
tons for Longview park. TO discuss the
situation from a financial standpoint.
and TO pave the way for an appeal to
the citizens TO do something for this
beautiful spot, that was a gift to the
city and which possesses such vast
possibilities as a park.
Hon. William jackson.
Mr.. Jackson, as president of the park
commission. brought the question be-
fore the body by speaking as follows:
LAS president of the park board, and
in their behalf, we express our pleasure
in meeting for this evening in this So
cial relation Although personally ac-
quainted with all of you. yet this is
the first time we have met together.
1.-The park board. as you know, was
appointed last year The park system
of the city has been changed Instead
of individual commissioners to take
charge of particular parks, all the parks
have been placed in charge of the
board
1--WE accepted this duty hoping to be
able to render substantial service to
the city. In this we have been some
what disappointed. not from any. neg
lect on our part, but because of con-
ditions over which we have no con-
troll
LAS this gathering tonight, in addi-
ton to the social feature. is to consider
the situation as to Longview park, I
will direct my remarks more particu-
larly to it. 1t must be assumed that
the board. consisting of five business
men, was organized for business. NOT
routine business. but duties of last
ing character.
1T is not complimentary to an Off
cial board to organize it and then keep
it idle. That is why we wish TO call
your attention to Longview.
Not Fully Appreciated.
at is known, but | fear not fully ap
preciated, that Longview park, con-
tanning nearly 40 acres, was donated
TO this city for park purposes. This
was a valuable donation. Had it not
been made when it was, fear this city
would have lost the opportunity to
have a beautiful park within its limits
of easy access to all citizens. That
more has not been done in the park
than has been is to be excused because
of pressing financial conditions, but
the time has come when the people
are anxious that the park be perman-
emily improved. We have before us
an object lesson in the parks of the
city of Davenport. These parks are q
monument to the public spirit and good
taste of the citizens of that city, and
| am pleased to pay this tribute to their
good taste and public spirit as shown
in their parks. 1t is inspiring to see
what interest and real enjoyment these
people take in their parks.
1.-The laws of the state of Illinois
with reference to parks in cities the
size of Rock Island prevents us from
levying and collecting a special tax.
We have to rely upon annual appro-
priations by the city council. The
many demands from different inter-
ests upon the revenue received by the
city compels a very moderate appro
priation for Longview
Total Appropriations.
THE direct annual appropriations
that have been made for Longview
have been very meagre. In 1900, $500;
1901. $500; 1902, S2,03950; 1903, ST.
200; 1904, $1,505.50; 1905, $4,000; total
appropriations in six years, $S.545. On
account of peculiar conditions, $1,S49.72
of this amount was returned TO the city
treasury. making the whole amount ex-
pended in six years $6,695,2S, or an
average of S1,115.SS, not more than
enough to do the surface work.
Anybody upon consideration will
admit that this is very small amount
per year to expend for taking care of
a park of 40 acres in the manner in
which it should be taken care Of Out
of this amount machinery must be pro-
cured. the labor of horses and men
paid for, trees planted, flowers grown
and other necessary expenditures; yet.
n addition to the payment of these re-
|curring expenses, there has been ex-