South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-08-17
Commissioners Decide Not to
Buy Land at Main st. and
Jefferson Blvd. Although Ap-
preparation Was Available.
OPPONENTS MAINTAIN
IT is NOT NECESSARY
D. w. Place, Leading Director,
Says Taxpayers Burden is
Heavy EnOugh-Studebaker,
Mix and Slick Urge Purchase.

When it appeared practically GER
tain the old First NJ. E. church
property at Main st. and Jefferson
blvd, would be purchased by the
county commissioners, an appropria-
ton Of $9S,700 having already been
made for that purpose by the county
council, the board at 1880 O'Clock
Monday afternoon decided against the
action and voted not to buy the
land. Many persons were present at
the hearing in the commissioners
room Monday morning, advocates of
buying the property and those against
the movement expressing themselves
to the commissioners.
d. w. Place proved the principal
opponent of the proposed action at
the morning session, presenting a
number of arguments against the
buying of the property in addition to
filing a remOnstrance signed by be-
tween 1900 and 1900 taxpayers of
the county. J. Nj. Studebaker, jr.,
NJ w Mix of Mishawaka and Thomas
w. Slick spoke in favor of taking
over the property.
Ends Agitation of Weeks.
For several weeks an agitation has
been on foot for the purchase of the
property, which is owned BIZ the
Farmers Security Co., which gave
out as it's original plans the cree
ton of large Office building on the
lot The idea OF making the lot,
which. adjoins the court house, a
temporary park to be used in the
future for an addition to the present
court house, was conceived and steps
made to purchase the property. APP
praisers were appointed by the COM
missioners to set a valuation and the
report of S9S,7OO was returned.
When the matter was presented to
the county council at a special meet
ing held Wednesday, an appropria-
ton for the appraised value, was
made with which the commissioners
might buy the land. 1t was con-
tended by the council that the court
house would soon need enlargement
and that the property could be used
for that purpose. Mr.. Place and Mr..
Slick both presented their views of
the proposition at that time.
When he appeared before the
board of commissioners Monday Mr..
Place asserted that it was not adj
visable to purchase the property at
this time because of the heavy debt
with which the county and city is
already burdened He pointed out
that the county was already paying
off a debt of two million dollars. He
declared that 1t was unnecessary at
this time ad that the taxpayers were
burdened heavily enough at this
time. He also cOntended that the
price placed on the property was too
high under any circumstances.
See Need For Addition.
The three men who spoke in favor
of the proposition maintained that
need for an addition to the present
court house was imminent and that
il will be impossible TO add more to
the present structure unless there is
ground.
There was large crowd Of spec
tators in the commissioners room
during the entire morning. Shortly
before noon the board went into ex-
ecutive session and the order for no
purchase was placed upon record at
1880 o'clock.
No other matters were taken up
bv the commissioners. They made
a visit to the county farm in the aft
ernoon with County Auditor Clar-
ence Sedgwick.