Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-08-27
SEEK TO SOLVE
CITY PROBLEMS
INTERESTING PAPERS ENO AD-
DRESSES AT ASHLAND.
MEETING BRINGS RESULTS
Experts Argue for and Against Num-
nicipaI Owne ship of Public SerV-
ice corpors lions in Wisconsin
Parks and Drives Are Dis
cuSSed.

Ashland, Wis, Aug 24.-Men from
almost every large city in Wisconsin
and from some of the smaller ones are
in Ashland discussing nearly every
problem that confronts the cities OF
Wisconsin at the convention of the
League of municipalities. All OF the
addresses of the mayors and other
officials indicate an earnestness, an
endeavor, and a determination to Sc
cure legislation benefting the people
of badger cities; and TO beautify
them, for the paper On parks and
drives, read by S. P. Sparkling of Mad
ison, made a great impression on the
delegates. He showed conclusively
what a city could do when its citi-
zens worked together for the common
good.
Argue City Ownership.
AS was expected, municipal owner
ship is one of the most discussed prob
lens. The convention had before it
yesterday men who are experts, men
who know the possibilities OF city
control of public service corporations,
its drawbacks and it's advantages.
Strong arguments for private control
were advanced, for it was contende1
that city ownership meant a step to.
ward socialism. This was the argu
ment of F. G. Simmons, of the Mil
DOLL nd ri
Light company, who presented an able
paper. In contrast l.. G. Case of Du-
luth, manager of the municipal water
works plant of that city, reported the
excellent progress of the plant at his
home Almost all of the delegates,
even those who are firm in their sup
port for private ownership, believe
that municipal operation is a step
which is inevitable.
Results OF Convention.
AS to the results of the convention
they will be many There has prob
ably never been a similar meeting in
the state where there has been so
great desire to accomplish some
thing. 1t is possible that the conven-
ton will before it adjOurns today,
begin a movement for the raising of a
fund which will enable the cities to
send a representative before the com
mittees of the legislature to argue
for legislation which will benefit the
cities, correct many of the wrongs ald
secure a change in the division Of the
taxes of the great corporations of
Wisconsin.
How to Make Parks.
DR.. Samuel E. Sparkling of Madison,
secretary of the league, talked on
Park and Pleasure Drives for Small
Cities His address in part was as
follows
There are three well-def1ned plans
which are followed in laying out a city
and in the arrangement of its streets
and parks. The simplest and least
desirable type, from the aesthetic
point of view is the checkerboard or
rectangular system; this plan rests.
primarily, upon considerations of util
ity: it has little to commend it ex-
dealer more land to sell. The second
type is the triangular plan. This
permits many opportunities for vari-
ETY. in street architecture and affords
opportunities for open places. When
this plan is employed with the block
system, good results are attained;
this is particularly well illustrated by
the plan of the city of Washington and
of portions of Paris and of other
European cities. The third type is
the radical system which starts from
some central point and builds the
outlying parts with reference to it. In
some cities, two or three secondary
centers will be used, connected with
broad boulevards. 1t affords large
opportunities for the development CT
beautiful streets and the location Oh
small resting places, embellished with
fountains and statuary.