Omaha daily bee., 1914-08-01
BOOST TO MAKE CITY PRETTY
Such is Hummel's Plea at Equal
Franchise Meeting.
FUNDS NOW ARE NOT ADEoUATE
city Permits Too Many Chances to
Collect Taxes slip Away When
Parks and BOuIevards Need
the Money.

.Tf YOU want 10 put Omaha on the map.
you've got 20 boost for a charter with
laws that we can live under" said Park
Commissioner Joe B. Hummel. at a meet
ing Of the Equal Franchise society held
at the home of Mrs. Henry Doorly Thurs
dav afternoon. "Omaha Is on the Lin
coin highway and IL we are to impress
tourists with any idea of the possibilities
Of our city great many improvements
ought TO be made in the park and boule-
ward system OF Omaha.
The funds at the disposal OF each OF
the departments Of the city government
are Inadequate" said Mr.. Hummel but
especially is this true of the park depart
nent The trouble is that this city does
everything gratis, while in other cities
there are occupation taxes and wheel
taxes for vehicles. which are turned into
the park and boulevard maintenance fund.
Why. look at the hundreds Of automobiles
around the Brandeis building any day in
the week II the owners had to pay IS
year for the privilege, wouldn't We have
a fine income to spend for our parks and
playgrounds?'
Corporations shc1Id Help.
Mr.. Hummel also stated that municipal
corporations which were on paying
basis ought to assist in the upkeep of de-
partments which needed the funds The
thing to do is to go down to Lincoln and
mend the laws governing metropolitan
cities" he said. "There is a great deal Of
talk about city officials going on junket-
ing trips, it is true, but there is a great
deal to be learned from other cities. We
can't apply what We learn in many in
stances, however, because to do so would
be to conflict with the state law. That
law ought to be changed"
That's what we're going to do, Mr..
: Hummel," sang out an enthusiastic suf-
| fragist.
| Omahans also need education in cleanli-
ness and tidiness about yards and alleys,
| according to Mr.. Hummel, who gave
numerous instances also Of vandalism in
! the destruction of flowers and young
trees in the city parks and even of steal
ing lead pipes in park plumbing.
Facing Auto Problem.
''The automobile traffic problem on the
boulevards is assuming such proportions
that it is dangerous for grown-ups, lei
alone children" he said. Supervised play
grounds for the children and an extension
of the boulevard system to alleviate the
congestion were advocated by the parl
commissioner. II am doing everything
can to keep the children off the streets
and in safety and 1 wish to call upor
public-spirited citizens to help me-"
Following his talk Mrs. a. I. Lindsey
who presided, wanted to know if any ont
had any question to ask Mr.. Hummel.
Mrs. Thomas Brown jumped to her feet
"Why can't we have speeches in tht
parks, Mr.. Hummel?'' she asked.
He was forced to explain his action anC
stated that he had many letters from
other city officials all over the country
who adopted the same policy of refusing
to permit speeches in the parks.
should Take Up Local Needs.
How can the suffragists help?" aske
Mrs. George Bligh.
"They can do a great DEAL" replied MI
Hummel, "by talking up the needs of tn
city and getting things started"
A note of thanks from Secretary o
State Bryan on receipt OF Mrs. r. NJ
Fairfield's telegram of appreciation 70
his stand on suffrage was read.
Mrs. II. c. Sumney asked that all wome
interested in the movement contribute oil
gold or silver jewelry for tho "meltin
pot" which is in the window of +. L
Weads office at Eighteenth and Farnan
| All jewelry collected viii be sent to tn
mint on August 10, which will be observe
, as sacrifice day" by suffragists all owe
Y the country, the equivalent in value the
to be turned over to the suffrage fund
n ! Mrs. Medill Mccormick of Chicago orig
3 mated the idea and $4,000 is the amour
1t is desired to raise.