The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-01-04
DOESN'T LIKE The IDEA
OF Kinks ON The LAKE

The laying out by the city authori-
ties OF a small open air rink In the
Front street ravine is regarded as a
good move by most OF the residents of
the city. The selection of the site is
disapproved by some. but the idea or
having such a place, where children
under twelve years of age may have
opportunities to skate without danger.
Is approved of most of those who have
given the subject serious considera-
ton.
II. n. Brock superintendent OF the
Dakota Heights company. had few
words to say this morning on the sub
Ject of the small Kinks as compared
with Kinks on Portage Lake, as sug-
gester by some critics
II notice" said Mr.. Brock to a News
representative, that some of the aid
erman are disclaiming any credit or
responsibility for ordering the con-
struction Of the rink and stating that
they are and We're i'm favor of having
Kinks laid out on Portage Lake. Now,
without considering the question Of the
suitability of the location of the rink
now being prepared, or of its size or
accessibility / would like To remark
that | consider II a most commendable
move on the part Of whichever of the
officials it was that ordered il done.
Instead of one there should be several
mir In
town, easily reached by small child
rem from their homes, so that there
would be no temptation for children
to go to the lake. The small boys and
girls of the city should be encouraged
to keep away from the lake and not to
go there. Do those talking for ice
Kinks forget the toll of children's lives
that the lake has demanded i'm the
past, through seeking recreation on
there because Of the lack of other
Fairgrounds? only a couple of winters
ago there was that little Atlantic boy
who strayed down TO the lake with
some companions He was drowned
and IL was six months or more before
his body was recovered. This winter a
couple Of boys playing on the ice at
Ripley broke through and it was only
good fortune in placing help near at
hand that saved their lives.
They talk yof the stecpness Of the
banks i'm the ravine and the difficulty
Of getting to the rink. Isn't It Just as
far and just as difficult TO get to the
lake front, across the railroad tracks.
which offer additional dangers to the
youngsters? And the expense of keep
ing clean and clear of snow. 1t would
cost more TO clean off the ice on tho
lake and establish shelter houses as
proposed by the alderman. and they
would be used by children from an
over Houghton as well as by the chill
dren of Hancock. II WON'T cost much
money to keep the small Kinks in town
clear and it will be money well spent.
| And it will be worth all it costs i'm the
peace of mind afforded mothers and
fathers i'm the knowledge that their
children are not skating on the ice of
the lake, where the discharge from the
sewer outlets weakens and rots the ice
and renders ii dangerous The argu-
ments in favor Of the lake. as COM
pared with the little open air Kinks.
are as absurd as IL would be to advo-
cate the use of the lake for bathing in
preference to installing bathrooms in
houses. ! wonder If the aldermanic
critic would champion this, too. The
Kinks, by providing skating for the
small children, should be welcomed
and more of them should be provided,
on any of the numerous suitable sites.
so that boys and girls in every part
Of the town could safely enjoy the
sport of skating without having TO go
any distance from home and without
running the danger incurred i'm ventur-
ing on the lake"
There has been considerable knock
'ng of the ring that the city is MAX
Ing for Hancock youngsters I'm the
front street ravine, some obiecting
hat the site is unsuitable, that it is
100 small, and that IL is hard to reach.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES