St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1914-04-03

tion. The question is an old one
in st. Johns. AT various times
in the past park sites have been
discussed and two different
tracts have been voted on. And
the chief argument advanced
against park sites today is the
same as it was ever in the past,
and will undoubtedly be the same
yesterday, today and forever
price too high. IL is said the
first tract proposed for park pur-
poses in comparatively recent
years was the piece of land now
occupied by the Holbrook block.
We understand it was submitted
at a price Of $1,000, but was
deemed too high in price. Ce-
dar Park was next discussed and
could have been secured for less
than $40, 000-to too high in price.
The next effort to secure a park
was the piece of land overlook
ing the Willamette river, con-
tanning about seven acres and
priced at $18, 900. This was the
most beautiful spot in st. Johns
for park purposes. but il was
turned down at the polls. The
Caples and Harris tracts jointly
were then offered at 500. 900, but
were voted down. In looking
backward one cannot help but
wonder at the mistakes that
have been made. when the adj
vance in values is considered. ltI
is true that the Caples tract is
lower in price than offered pre-
viously, but IL is not because the
land has decreased in value. but
because Mrs. Caples is desirous
Of having a park on that site, and
has made the generous conces-
sion.
Would il not be a good idea to
get rid of that :" too high in price"
hoodo? IL makes all the differ
ence in the world whether we
are buying or selling. II is a
fact there are o number Of people
in st. Johns who have lived here
many years, and are disappoint.
ed men today because they did
not buy property here when il
could be purchased for little. ltI
always seemed too high 10 them.
and even today they will tell you
that all property is too high in
st. Johns. They profit nothing
from experience. and permit the
outsider 10 jump in and'take the
cream while they stand off and
complain about high prices.
And so il is with us in regard 10
parks. Yet how inconsistent |
we arel We love 10 tell how rap
idly values are going 10 increase |
and what a large and important |
place st. Johns is going 10 be. !
yet other peoples land is too
high, but we hold ours nj rea-
sonable price. of course. IL is
doubtful IL there is a man in st.
Johns. were he 10 own the sites
offered for park purposes, but |
would ask as much or more for
them than the owners now do.
The only way 10 get at accurate
values of land is TO compare
them in price with other tracts
of like similarity. II St. Johns
is 10 retrograde instead of adj
vance. il is sure thing that
prices are too high. But do you
believe that will be the case?
Il is said that taxes are too
high already. That is true.
But the interest on park bonds
would add very little thereto and /
afford unlimited enjoyment. Ill
must be remembered that the |
interest is the only thing that
81. Johns need concern itself |
about. The average man in ST. |
Johns pays taxes on a valuation
Of about 5000. III all the park |
sites carry. based on this rate,
his taxes would be increased only |
40 cents per year. Is il worth |
that much 10 yourself and fam
lily? Il is a fact beyond dispute
that st. Johns will be part of
Portland long before the bonds
can mature. The Portland Com
merce Club even now is work
ing on a plan whereby 10 consoli- /
date the county and city govern
nent. making the limits of Port
and the same as the county linn {
lis. A committee has been APP /
pointed and is now laboring on
the proposition. IL is also said
that a constitutional amendment {
authorized by the last Legisla-
.ure whereby it will be pos q
'ible for adjoining cities TO con- j
will be voted upon this c
Fall. and if il is voted upon, and {
here can be little opposition to I
such a bill. it is almost Ger. a
.ainty that another vote will be e
AIKEN on the subject, and if the [
majority vote as they did once G
before, consolidation would be {
IN assured fact. Therefore. il D
S well to provide for the future. il
md get what we need now. and e
De sure of it. Portland will have "
o foot the bill, And why should G
I not. since we will have TO as q
ume an Indebtedness far in ex- a
ess of our own, and we will G
ave need to burden ourselves I,
With more indebtedness i'm order N