St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1913-08-08
Subscription price stOo per year.

The question of public parks
and Fairgrounds has again been
taken up, and with greater vigor
and earnestness than has yet
been experienced upon such a
project in st. Johns. The Com
mercial club took the initiative
in the matter by appointing a
committee TO investigate sites.
The committee has made its re-
port. recommending four sepa-
rate sites, all of which IL approy-
ed, and the aid of the city coun-
ell has been enlisted m the cause.
The sites selected will be care.
fully investigated and If found
desirable for the purpose and
reasonable in price, options will
be secured and a special election
will no doubt be called to vote
upon an issue of bonds for pur-
chase of same. If the sites Sc
lected prove unsatisfactory after
a more minute investigation,
they will be discarded and other
locations sought. When the Sc
lections have been conclusively
made and the election called, it
will be up TO the people TO do the
rest. It has been almost humil-
iating in the past that st. Johns
possessed no parks or play
grounds. IL is said that it is the
)nly city of It's size in Uncle
Sans domain that does not pos
sess such places of recreation.
There is not the slightest reason
in the world why ST. Johns
should not have several parks.
Few cities in the country have
such a splendid opportunity to
purchase parks and then not pay
for them as has st. Johns. II is
a fact that cannot be denied that
this city and Portland will have
become consolidated long before
% year bonds would become
due. This being true, Portland
would necessarily have TO take
over our Indebtedness and pay
our debts. even as we would
have TO help pay Portland's al
ready enormous Indebtedness.
Outside of the interest the parks
would cost us but little. But one
mistake should not be made in a
bond issue for park purposes.
Enough additional money should
be provided i'm the issue 10 thor
oughly equip the parks with
seats, swings, and other appara.
tus that go 10 make the modern
park. We have had one vivid
illustration of AN incomplete sit.
uation, and that was when the
city dock was built and no money
provided 10 construct sidetracks
thereto. Il should not happen
again. AT least five thousand
dollars and the premium on the
bonds undoubtedly should be-
consecrated TO providing equip
ment. A park is practically use
less unless il is equipped with
proper conveniences and placed
in am attractive condition. And
il is much easier 10 only pay the
interest on equipment with Port
land eventually paying the prin-
cipal than il would be TO take
the money out of the general
city fund, and pay for il in high
er taxation. Whatever is done,
be sure that equipment is pro
vided for in the bond issue.
With the very able. and we be-
lieve almost unanimous help of
the ladies. the vote of whom was
not available at previous park
elections. there is every reason
To believe that park bonds will
carry by a large majority. The
ladies realize much more than
the male element the value of
parks and play grounds. Ger
tainly St. Johns should have
parks, several of them. But do !
not forget the necessary equip /
ment. That MUST be provided /