The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-09
TALK ABOUT PARK.
Lively Debate Over the EImhurst
Proposition.

The meeting of the streets and
walks committee of the city council
last night was attended by deputa-
tlons representing both sides of the
Elmnurst park proposition, and some
breezy speeches were made both for
and against the question of the pur-
chase or a tract of land in the Elm
hurst ADDITION for park purposes.
| Among those who opposed the park
loea was Elijah Wolfe. 1887 Brooks
avenue, an old soldier. His chief OBJ
Jectlon was that the purchase of the
property would cause a hardship upon
the people of the district on ac-
count of the heavy tax it would
necessltate. He asserted that he had
Deen listening to the croak of the
frogs IN the marshes of the proposed
park vicinity for years past, and that
what he now wanted to see was the
building Of new houses by the Elm
hurst syndicate.
Upon the completion of his plea
for the rejection Of the petitions for
lately arose and made a speech TAX
ing the opposite view point. In his
opening remarks. however, he said
that he had listened with great in
terest to the remarks of Mr.. Wolfe
and they had appealed strongly to
him as he could sympathize with one
who has heavy taxes to pay. He
then launched forth giving various
arguments in favor of the purchase
of the tract of land. He said that
citizen as he had not been taken into
the confidence of the syndicate.
John E. Addington was one of
those who spoke most emphatically
against the proposition. He pointed
out that the people have already paid
taxes on the Central and Westlawn
parks and then he asserted that the
ground which it was proposed to
purchase was not fit for a park. He
contended that the Elmhurst syndi-
cate could not make ten cents more
money by filing in the tract of land
and selling it as I, building property,
but If they thought they could they
would not hesitate. a minute to do so.
1t was a, feather in the caps of
those who were for the park when
Capt.seJ R. McNary who had been a
signer of a protest against the idea
stood up and asserted that after hear
ing both sides of the controversy he
had been completely won over by the
original petitioners. He had found
that the cost of buying the park and
putting it into condition would not be
so much as he had expected it would
be. He was Of the opinion that if
Topeka wants a big. city these breath
ing spots must be- secured now when
they can be purchased for a reason
able sum of money. DR.. c. B Van
Horn and others, spoke in favor of
the proposition
The proposition which the Elm
hurst syndicate has made is that the
tax payers pay $4,000 for APP
proximately twelve acres of land,
$4,000 of this amount being returned
to the city as gift from the syndi-
cate in order that the tract may be
put in proper shape without extra ex-
pense to taxpayers The idea is 10
create a benefit district embracing
some 5000 lots upon which special
tax will be assessed.
No decision was reached by the
committee and another meeting will
probably be called before the next
meeting of the council in order TO
pass on the question.
San Diego is a California seaport
oitv and In line for a big future.