The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-20
LOOKS DARK FOR
PARK FIGURES
Annual Luncheon" Is Held al
Eddie Barnett's and Not With
the Commissioner


Hurlbut to show" the park and boule-
ward committee or the board OF esti-
mates this year. The committee Is
from Missouri" Indications are that
the commissioner will have TO pro-
duce the figures TO back up every esti-
mate he has submitted for improve
ments. IL he expects to have them al
lowed, when the committee meets In
his office, Wednesday night, 10 discuss
the budget A lively session is looked
for
A precedent OF long standing was
broken, Tuesday, when the committee
started out on its annual tour OF the
park and boulevard system. Instead
Of taking lunch as guests OF the COM
missioner at Belle Isle, the committee
took lunch down town at the expense
Of the city. Commissioner Hurlbut and
Secretary Busch going elsewhere for
their lunch and rejoining the commit
zee later.
In the past the practice has been
Belle Isle for luncheon early in the
afternoon. Tuesday the committee,
headed by Estimator K. Gordon, OF
the Fourth ward. purposely visited
Belle Isle first and finished with II
before meal time.
This attitude on the part OF the
committee as well as the sharp Ques-
tioning 10 which the commissioner
was subjected during the tour by Es-
timator Gordon and President Bar
nett. of the board, would seem to in.
dicate tendency on the part OF the
committee to cut the park budget
down to bare necessities and improve
ments that are actually needed.
Il do not believe il would be proper
for members OF the board Of estimates
to be guests of any commissioner at
lunch" said President Barnett, last
night. Il know il has been the prac-
tice in the past, and possibly some
OF the committees, heretofore. have
been inclined TO deal more literally
with heads OF departments because OF
their hospitality. | think IL Will be
much cheaper for the city in the end
TO pay for the meals OF the estimators
at some place OF their own choosing
than 1t would be TO let the commits
sioners entertain them at Belle Isle
and elsewhere"
Tuesdays luncheon was held In
President Barnett's place on Monroe
ave
I'VE want TO allow every item that
is needed by the park department,
said Estimator Gordon TO The Times.
tsN A. tn ha N
in dealing with this fund. but we shall
insist on being shown that the vari-
Gus items are needed before we VIII
allow them"
Another trip will be necessary TO
complete the inspection of the park
system. Tuesday the committee got
through with Belle Isle, Owen park,
the Clara bath house and the West
ern-blvd., from the river TO Wood
ward-ave., including Atkinson and
Clark parks. There remains for In
spection, Palmer, Voigt and LaSalle
parks and several smaller parks in
addition to the Eastern-blvd
The supplemental estimate for the
purchase of the property on st. Aubin-
ave., formerly occupied by the Polish
seminary, as a playground site, prob
ably will be cut out. President Bar
nett says that the Playground asso-
| citation has started a movement for
the purchase of the property by pri
vate subscription, and there Is every
/ prospect that II will succeed.
The fire commissioners. Tuesday
night. lightened the task or the com
mittee in charge OF the fire fund by
voluntarily cutting of $4,000 from
the budget allowed by the common
council. With this cut. the depart
ment's estimates are only $l,1l9.20 II
excess Of the amount allowed las
year A large part OF this cut Is rep
resented by an increase OF $4,000 II
the estimated balances. The commits
sioners also cut out $4,000 allowed
by the council for preparation OF plans
for high pressure system In th'
downtown district.
| AS a result of the action OF th'
commissioners, the prospects are yer,
favorable for the granting OF the In
| creases asked in the pay OF the fre
men.
The committee in charge OF thu
board OF education fund met in th'
board rooms. Tuesday afternoon. an'
went over the budget with Supt o
Schools Martindale, Supervisor Stew
art and Inspector Hugh Cary. Supt
Martindale laid stress on the neces
sity for increased high school facili
ties. The committee will make an
other tour OF the schools. Monda'
morning, and will meet soon after
wards to pass on the budget. item
by item.
At the general meeting OF the boart
of estimates, Tuesday afternoon,
resolution was passed asking Corpor
alton Counsel Hally for an opinion
as to whether the common council
has any legal right TO appoint sec
rotary OF the council committees
This is taken TO mean that the est
majors are determined TO abolish Ed
die Schreiter's position IL they hav'
the power.
] Estimator Nichols again presented
his resolution providing for the equal
ization OF the salaries of city EN-
ployes and IL passed unanimously
President Barnett said he did not I'm
derstand the resolution when he rule'
the estimator out Of order the da!
before.
Resolutions OF sympathy in th'
death OF Ward l.. Andrus, brother o
Estimator-at-Large Frank ID. Andrus