Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-08-05
PARK BOARD FLAYS
WATER DEPT. FOR
DEMANDING PAY
Commissioners Arraign Practise
OF One Branch of City Making
Money Out of Another.

The fourteenth annual report of the
Essex County Park Commissioners, in
cl1ding a review of the years work,
several recommendations, the treas
urer's report and playfieId statistics,
was given. to the public today. The
commissioners report is signed by the
present board of five. former Governor
Franklin Murphy, P. Sanford Ross,
Robert S. Sinclair, Frederick M. Shep-
ard n John r. Hardin.
In the first few paragraphs of the re-
port, devoted to a statement of the ex-
p%enditures OF h appropriations given
the commission, a statement of the
future policy of the commission re-
garding municipal appropriations for
parks is made.
IF the citizens of a locality desire
the creation of a park within their
municipal limits they should, before
fixing the appropriation, obtain reason
able guarantees hat the improvement
can be made within the sum specified.
. . > 1t is hardly sufficient to obtain
estimates on land to be taken; actual
options should be secured in order that
this board may be reasonably SURE of
carrying the work to a successful con-
clusion before 1t Ia begun. The COM
mission has decided, after it's expert
ence with the purchase of land in Irving
ton, that should other localities secure
appropriations from the Legislature for
park purposes 1t will not ask the free
holders to authorize the expenditure
until, by the presentation of options
for the majority of the land to be ac-
Quired. it can be certain that the work
can be properly concluded within the
amount available"
I~rvington Property Owners Were Sued.
This statement follows an account OF
| the reason why, at the first OF the year,
the date of the report. the appropriation
for Irvington was u~nexpended. Several
of the property-owners refused to let
their property go except for very high
prices. Litigation, succeeding condem-
nation proceedings, was resorted to this
spring, and the park commission had
nc end of trouble In securing the neces-
sary land. Fifty thousand dollars
was the amount of the appropriation.
The feld-day of the county parks
will hereafter become an annual affair
The success of the exercises held last
year on August rs was largely respon-
sibie for this decision.
A strong protest against the practise
| Of the city in charging the park COM
mission for the drinking water sup
piled citizens at stations in the park is
| registered in the report.
1T seems unfortunate" says the re-
port, that one municipal body should
thus endeavor TO make money at the
aNna1uo - aWn$ho4 a. anoh to vuAr1rino
in the public interest, and park main
commensurate with the proper upkeer
OF the SYSTEM
T. Oaks Replace Destroyed Trees.
A review OF the improvements ac-
compiisted Ia the various parks con
tains reference to the tree pests which
destroyed practically all OF the chest
nut trees hereabouts. Young oaks are
now being placed in the gaps left by the
chestnuts.
John r. Hardin, who is treasurer Oh
the board, submits his report with thai
Of the commission. The main items fol
low: Observation-Disclosures cash or
hand January !, 1909, $542, 778. 90; re
ceived from Essex county, s28S, s67.94
total, $S11, 7l4.22. Disbursements, fol
land, $16S, 13o.s7; for work on parks
reservations and parkways $50, 4o2. IS
for Office, 1 3.D88.10 [, leaving cash or
hand December 81, 1903, $579, 222.41
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., cas- on hand
January /, 1909, ss72.75: received from
Essex county, $3.50. 4s1.5 s; total, $751;
S84.33. Disbursements, for maintaining
parks, reservations and parkways, $144..
6Ss. So; for office, SIS. 22s. 40, leaving cast
ON hand December 81. 1909. S804,21.