New-York tribune., 1910-02-27
MAY SPEND $500 900, 900.
Commercial Clubs Erhaustire
Scheme to Make Chicago "Idedl.

I
With Mayor Buses recent appointment Of a
Chicago Beautiful" commission, consisting of
325 foremost citizens, the first definite official
action has been taken in execution of the CHI
cago Commercial Clubs scheme of reconstruct
ing the town on the southwest shore Of Lake
Michigan into ideal place of residence and
business. 1t is promised that when the scheme
is wrought out Chicago will be beautiful AS
a city be made and, besides, will have a
business district easier of access than any other
in the world.
Tremendous difficulties must be overcome,
however. before the results hoped for can be
achieved. In addition to natural obstacles the
beautitiers encounter at the outset decision of
the Supreme Court of Illinois that strikes at the
basic portion of the Commercial Clubs design
namely, the locating of the Field Columbian MI
of Natural History and the Crerar Library
in Grant Park on the lake front. The powerful
interests back of the beautifying plan believe
this decision can be circumvented either through
further litigation appeal to Congress
Under authorization of the City Council Mayor
Busse appointed the commission and named as
the chairman Charles II. Wacker. The men,
bership is headed by J. ogden Armour and in
cudes representatives Of clubs and other or
ganizatons, of official bodies such as the mu-
ness interests. Among the well known names
on the list are those of Franklin MacNeaSh,
6 cretary of the Treasury; Stanley Field, John
V. Farwell. George NJ Reynolds Harold f. Me
Cormick Levy Mayer. John j. Mitchell James
William Pattison. secretary of the Municipal
Arr League; John G.. Shedd, John w. Scott. T.
F. Sunny. Charles l.. Hutchinson eX-Mayor Ed
ward f. Dunno, David r. Forgan Hampstead
Washburne. Walter H. Wilson City controller;
F. w Upham, f. A. Potter and A H. Revel.
The duty of the commission is to elaborate
the Commercial Clubs plan and determine lhe
policy to be followed in the future in making
public improv 1t was specifically pointed
out by the Mayor in making the appointments
that the clubs idea not "a hard and fast
one" but merely a basis to work from in seek
ing the practical reconstruction of the city
under some definite scheme of Identification
and accessibility Because of this the court s
decision forbiddine the erection of buildings in
the lake 'front.' park is not regarded as menaclnS
the execution of the Chicago Reautiful' plan
However. the original plan to locate the museum
and library in Grant Park to form, with the
Art Institute. the intellectual centre will not
be abandoned until the last hope OF placing them
there is destroyed.
The court granted to 4. Montgomery Ward
"watchdog of the lake 'front.' a perpetual in
junction restraining the authorities from erect
ing any building in Grant Park, on the ground
that the site was originally dedicated for park
uurnoses only" Those behind the city beau
tifuT' plan contend that this DECISION was
granted on the basis of Mr. Wards public right
in the park They now propose to test his pri-
vate right accruing from a frontage in Michi-
gan avenue opposite the park through con
demnation proceedings against his easement.
If they can eliminate him in this way it is said
no one will oppose the construction of the de
sired buildings in the park, for IS per cent of
the frontage consent has already been given for
the library and can be obtained for the museum.
Mr. Ward insists that his victory is final and
thsu the Commercial Clubs plan will have to
he changed to conform with the courts rul-
ing Against this contention, some Of those who