Evening journal., 1910-08-30
DISCUSS THE
PLAYGROUND DEAL
John S. Hamilton Replies to
the Editorial Article In
the Sunday Star
THINKS PURCHASE WAS
AN UNPOPULAR ACT

editor OF the star, IN last sundays Is
sue Very WELL Mr. Editor. let il go at
that. Step softly and carry big stick,
was the advice of one more or less in
the public eye, whose name II is hardly
necessary to mention The writer is
we'll pleased to be thought even a gum
shoe patriot
Now as to the nom de plume of Dis
satisfied, the editor of the EVENING
JOURNAL will hear the writer out,
he is sure; and the editor Of the
EVENING JOURNAL will make him
self responsible for the signature to
the communication. II was good
enough as such things go, but was
not used by the writer, as a gum shoe
or as an ambush.
It would not have made the writer
unpopular TO have signed the writer's
name The great majority of the peo-
pie on the street We're voicing their
protest against the land deal. II was,
perhaps, the most unpopular transac-
tion| that ever took place in Whining
ton The writer knew this when he
wrote to THE JOURNAL but as a
matter of fact, he did not sign his
letter with any nom de plume. He
was Indifferent as 10 whether it was
signed at all. or how it was signed. In
fact, he never thought of the sigma
ture
Editor Bell does not defend the
precipitancy with which the pur-
chase was consummated He thinks,
he says, such haste was imprudent,
TO the point of folly. Here at least is
solid ground II reminds the writer,
however, that Mr. Bell was on a com
mittee having this matter in charge,
and Mr.. Bell, let IL be remembered,
owns a newspaper. What was the
matter with Mr.. Bells nose for news?
Why did he not inform the public that
City Council proposed to buy these
properties? Would it not have been
good story, or was t. because mem
bers of Council had told him. as they
had others, that if ii were known
which properties were to be chosen,
the price would have been advanced?
II looks to Dissatisfied as If Mr.
Bell. occupying the position he does,
was as much responsible for the pre-
cipitancy with which the purchase was
consummated as anybody in sight.
Dissatisfied refuses to take serious
ly the stuff addressed to Dissatisfied.
He denies the qualification of the
Stars editor to lecture him on the
duties and qualities of good citizen
ship, or even the ethics of communi-
eating with a newspaper.
The writer is a friend of play
grounds. He wants. them, however,
placed where there will be the max
imum of service for the minimum OF
cost To spend money in remote sec
tions of the environs is, as far as this
generation is concerned, the height OF
folly. In this case we have the max
imum of cost for the minimum of ser
vice. Is this not true? If it is moi
true, procure the evidence to prove i
is not. If you do not procure this
evidence, quit talking about stabs II
the back, shots from ambush, and 9th
er rubbish.
The writer will not be deferred
from stating facts as he sees them
and expressing his opinion. based OF
these facts, freely and openly, anG
when It is a public matter he will d'
il anonymously or over bis own sig
nature. suiting himself about it. If HI
can get anyone to print it. If the fact
point to a disreputable deal, can tn
chronicler of those facts be accusel
of innunendo or stabbing in the back
or firing from ambush? This seem
absurd to the writer Does the edi
tor of the Star believe that the fact
should not be told?
If public sentiment acquiesces il
the purchase of land for any purpose
If in answer TO that acduiescence tn
city authorities enter into what look
like a conspiracy of suppression; ant
If. after the deal has been concluded
the checks made out and paid over
the public for the first time learn
where these properties are locate
and their dimensions; and then som
one voices an overwhelming sentimen
that one of the properties, at leasi
was too high-priced and not availa
bic for the purpose; is It importan
what was the name Of the perso
voicins the sentiment? Is the ui
teranoe of the belief Of a multitude a
innuendo a stab in the back, or
shot from ambush? Nonsense. Edito
Bells argument is with the facts
this. case, not with the identity Of Dis
satisfied
II the facts point 10 q disreputabl
conspiracy. those who would set then
selves right have their argument wit
those facts, not with the mediul
through which the facts are brougt
before the people. No talk about ev
minds. stabs in the back, gum heels, G
- any other irrelevant matters, can dil
= tort or befog this issue.
Speaking of anonymous contribt
tors TO newspapers in general, bl
evidently pointing toward Dissatisfie
" in particular, Mr. Bell SAYS, He ma
' be the cunning politician hunting fC
an issue Now. Mr. Editor, the wri
.. er edismisses the remainder of III
short sermon as unworthy of an AZ
I" swer The calling up of names {
n worthy men. now dead. and attemptin
AZ TO connect their names in any manns
=, with this discussion, is disreputab
y to say the best of II.
ne About hunting q political issue, NJ
by Editor, this issue is already mad
or and this land deal has made It. Or
= of the most deplorable features of II
~ whole unfortunate business is the IA
IL that the Democratic party is now L
he cally discredited Under our sy
es TEN. the. only hope the people ha'
is that at least one party be hal
oy ways decent. as the saying goes. A
ok ter such an exhibition of incomp
n tency or worse, as has been display'
. in this transaction. the citizen of 4
dependent leanings has nowhere
81 go
ne The writer believes that he low
rs his country. and loves it for som
~, thing else beside what he can get o.
be of it. He does not want an office az
us would not have the best office in q
ch gift of the people. He does, hoy
ne ever ufich fo caa the two dounfn d