The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-14
Z HEY REPLY
7 @ LEWIS
LETTER
MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL RE-
FER TO ISCoURTESlES.
Are Of the Opinion That Petty Ouib-
bling and Useless Quarrels Are
Handlcappine Improvements.

To The Public On Feb. 10th Mr.
John S, Lewis. In public letter. ac-
cuSed the city council of a lack OF
courtesy in conducting business with
the board of park commissioners. The
council could, with equal justice,
claim lack of courtesy on the part
Of the board of park commissioners
toward the council, Waving that
phase, however, we note that Mr Lew
Is In his letter claims the discourtesy
TO be In the fact that the council did
not appoint special time and place
for a meeting with the board of park
commissioners and that the council
did not read the. report of the board.
He dJstorts the motion passed by the
council at the time the report OF the
board was submitted, asking the board
OF park commissioners to meet the
council on enc OF its regular meeting
nights. into something entirely diff
ferent and not intended by the coun-
ell. No dIscourtesy was intended, but
II appears that Mr.. Lewis did not want
is just what the council did want,
and for several reasons. AS TO not
reading the report, We admit that II
was not read in council, but II was
seen and read by several of the coun-
ell and fully discussed by all and no
purpose would have been served by
taking the time OF the council to have
the report read. It was filed as is
usual In such cases OF long reports.
But Is not all the above simply
qulbbling and seeking TO censure and
lay the blame on the council, when
the real reason for the attack is that
Mr. Lewis Is disappointed ut the small
appropriation made for the park work
for the year. He claims that the
amount appropriated is only enough to
maintain the parks, allowing nothing
for improvements This is just what
the council intends the appropriation
for and no more. There are now 70
street intersections where the resi-
dents have paid for sidewalks and
other Improvements, that are not sup
piled with crossings or other improve
ments, which they want and are en-
titled to have. 1t Is not possible to
make the needed park Improvements
and at the same time provide these
people with the crossings IL is their
right to have. and which II is the duty
OF the city to build. for the reason
that the money Is not to be had for
both purposes,
We do not wish TO be understood
as decrying or opposing park improve
ments II is very necessary, and the
zeal and efforts of the board OF park
commissioners TO that end are com
mendable but we believe that the
board members do not fully realize
the greater necessity for using the
money on the intersections mention
ed, as do the memhers OF the coun-
Gil
While we all want our parks to be
in the best possible state Of improve
ment, we think that the people. who
having paid for sidewalks. and now
find themselves unable to cross the
muddy streets between such walks,
with no crossings provided TO keep
their feet from the mud Of the street,
will be more pleased with crosswalks
that they may go dry shod and free
from mud from one sidewalk to an
other. than they would be with furth-
er park Improvements, when only one
is possible.
If Mr. Lewis really desires TO be OF
service to the citizens OF Ogden, in
stead OF resigning from the board and
asking that the law be repealed. he
should recognize the wisdom of the
small appropriation at this time and
continue in the good work Of admin
istering the laws relating to the park
ing and planting Of trees along streets,
etc. as well as the maintenance of The
present improvements, which the ap-
preparation will amply cover. we'll
knowing that the council Will provide
the money for further park improve
ments as soon as it is possible.
II is our opinion that II would have
been more in the line of courtesy mad
the board Of park commissioners per
sonally made the request for the ap-
preparation OF $4,000 instead of ask
Ing a member OF the council TO do
go Further We believe the law Gre
ating the board of park commission
ers good one and would be pleased,
indeed. II the same could be continued
In goodwill and harmony; but II
there is TO be so much of petty duib.
bling and useless quarrels over mat
ters OF courtesy. we believe IL would
be better to repeal said law,
(Signed)
SAMUEL THOMAS,
CHRIS FLYGARE.
j. B. DANA.
C. j. HUMPHREYS.
GEO. w. WILSON,
Members OF CITY Council.