The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-14
REJECT OFFERSFOR PARKS|N WEST END Citizens Unable to Agree on Most Desirable Site SPEECHES ARE MADE Lane Says He FavOrs Park for West End, But That the City
 Must Move Very
 Carefully
SPEECHES ARE MADE

By formal resolution yesterday morn | ing tho commissioners of the city unanimously rejected the three sites of fered by real estate companies for West End park purposes. The resolution was introduced by Judge Lane.
 One of the livest of the numerous ses- sions which have occurred between res idents of West End and the city com missioners was that of yesterday morn- ing. As is known there have been grave differences of opinion among the resi- dents of that suburb as to the best of three plats of ground, one consist ing of 10 acres and others known as the Gastleman and Drake properties.
 The West End delegation yesterday morning consisted of 20 men. the ma jority of whom urged the commissions CTS to buy the 40 acre tract at cost of $60,O The discussion was opened Iby C. C. Ellis, who spoke for the 40 1 acres. pr Schooler followed with a supporting argument. Rev. V. P Mer- Till told the commissioners that the majority of the citizens of West End wanted the largest tract offered Rus l sell C. Booth, member of Il real estate firm, then told the commissioners that action must be taken at once as the options on the property would expire on the following day.
 1 James E. Drake spoke against the 40 acre tract, and stated that an effort was being made to unload this proyerty on the i city. He expressed himself as being in favor of two smaller parks, and de- 1 elared that if the options did expire on ! the following day that the property might then be acquired cheaper, b. A. Hunt then offered novel sug- gestion "It is fact" stated he, that the old citizens of West End. those who builded that place, favor the 10 acres. and the newcomers some other proposi
 tion.a
 When all the arguments were con cluded Judge Lane said: T am in favor of buying park for West End, two of them, in fact but am of the opinion that in view of the citys financial con dition we should move carefully in the buying of large tracts at high figures.
 I understand that the options on some of this property were obtained for $500,
 Why are we expected 10 pay s1500?"
 j. Cary Thompson, who has an in- terest in the property under discussion. 1 then explained that some of the op- ] tions had been secured for sum be- l tween $500 and S700. but that others had been obtained for IS high as 5000. We endeavored." stated he. ito strike | a happy medium. The dealers, if this | transaction Is consummated, will make profit of about $3500, and l submit | that this Is small enough" He then of | fered to turn the property over to the | fBaV .aft would not have to be reduced in 10 years the interest, to be annually 6 per cent
 Turner Weakley then spoke in favor of the purchase of the 40 acre tract Judge Lane offered the resolution tlst all propositions be rejected, and 1t car red unanimously.
 The petitioners retired for the pur- pose of finding more suitable locations, and the commissioners assured them that West End will certainly have a park, and probably two of them.