Evening journal., 1910-08-16
MAYOR WILL
INVESTIGATE
He Will Go Over the Play
ground Tracts Before Act
ing on the Deeds
CHECK FOR ONE OF THE
PROPERTIES PAID

Mayor j. Harvey Spruance was at
his Office today in the City Hall. after
a weekend vacation at Wildwood
Crest. The Mayor was asked whether
he had signed the deeds providing for
the purchase by the city of tracts for
Fairgrounds from Peter J. Ford at
the western edge of the city, and from
]. Chester Gibson at Tenth and Scott
streets. Mayor Spruauce said It
would be necessary for him to sign
the deeds to make the purchase effec-
tive, but they have not come TO him
yet.
81 cannot say what | will do until
after | make an investigation said
the Mayor. Il am in favor of play
grounds and have been for a long time
and have advocated the purchase of
properties for that purpose. | shall
make an investigation of these pur-
chases, go over the land and compare
the prices the city is to pay with
prices of other land in the vicinity,
before | take any action on the deeds.
| believe the city should acquire all
the land that is needed for play
grounds, but of course I do not think
fabulous prices should be paid. A
|
in some sections at a very low figure
that now cannot be bought except at
the highest prices. ] believe the city
should get Fairgrounds in congested
sections like the First. Third and
Tenth wards as well as in the outly-
ing sections. If it turns out that some
tracts that are bought are not In
/ the best locatians they can be sold
and others be bought. AS | recall
the Park Commissioners unanimous.
| ly recommended the purchase oi
these two properties"
Purchase Money Paid.
Ii was learned today that while the
city has not acquired title to the Ford
and Gibson properties. Mr. Ford has
been paid the $4,000 purchase price
for his property.
City Solicitor John w. Brady is pre-.
pairing the deeds for the city to take
over the properties, and the check fol
$4,000 was turned over by City Audi.
tor Kurtz to Mr. Brady, who in turr
has paid Mr.. Ford the money on the
three tracts he has sold the city. Mr.
Brady is at Cape May, and his ex
planatiOn of why the money was pait
before the deeds have been signeI
and the city has obtained title to th'
properties could not be had.
The check for the purchase of tn
properties has not turned up at Cit,
Treasurer Ross Office as yet. Befor
Mr.. Ross went away on his vacation
he left checks signed in blank. an
one of these was used in drawing IL
the check for $4,000 for the purchas
; of Fairgrounds. The check was han
died through the office of City Aud
tor Kurtz. after Council had appr
priated the money for the purpose.
Council made no appropriation
the beginning Of the fiscal year 4
money for the purchase of pla
, grounds. and many persons are wo
dering how Council could draw q
money for that purpose in the absen,
of such an appropriation on u
schedule. The Democratic member
of Council are figuring on getting II
next Legislature to authorize a bon
issue of S250,000 for the purchase {
parks and Fairgrounds; and out {
the S250,0O0 the $4,000 is to be pai
back into the city treasury, accord
ing to the plan.
"If Council and the Park Commits
sion is so anxious to get an athleti
field or playground. how about gettin
the Horse Show Park" said a man in
tested in the subject today "I un
derstand Il can be bought for S26, ,00t
and 1t has every advantage of loca
ton, size and accessibility. II woul
make an ideal athletic field. the rae
track and county fair could be cor
tinued there, and the city could &c
aa good revenue from H. II woul
improve rapidly in value as an in
, vestment for the city"