The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-01
FORESTER BILL
PASSES. 3 TO 2


Continued From First Pare
would be establishing a precedent, for
no otner city has selected forester
witnouf creating the tree commission.
iney also claimed that in the many
cities in which tree commissions have
been created the plan is working splend.
idly and that to adopt the Taylor
ordinance would merely be experiment.
Commissioner Taylor and his Re.
publican colleagues argued, however.
that the power of governing the trim.
ming and planting of shade trees should
remain with the City Commission: that
powers which rightfully should be in
the hands of the City Commissioners
would be taken from them if the Tree
commission plan were adopted; that
the citizens individually would be COM
PEELED to pay for the Tlanting of trees
under the tree commission plan whereas
the Taylor ordinance provides that all
incidental expenses shall be borne by
the city out of its general revenues.
1t was argued further that tree
commission would have to eanploy a
forester, such as is intended by the
Taylor ordinance; that the CITY Com.
mission is equally competent to EN-.
play such an official; that the tree
commission would receive revenues
over which the City Commissioners
would never gain control and that if
the tree commission act of 1907 once
were accepted by the city it would be
accepted for all time.
Hold Lively Debate
During the controversy Commission
er Taylor said it was his plan original
~ to make the salary of the Forester
$1,000. Later he reduced il to 81 2oo
and eventually cut it to $1,000.
ine Mayor asked Mr.. Taylor wheth
er has opposition to the Tree Commis.
SION measure was not due to the "prob-
aoiy personnel of the commission,
10 that Mr.. Taylor said: az have
nothing to do, individually, with the
appointment of the Commission. n
would be up to this body. But I did
say that if Commission were created
l would feel that it's members shonlS
be competent men,
The Mayor mentioned the fact that
>. Horace Mcfarland, former president
Oh the Harrisburg Park Commission. is
opposed to the ordinance creating the
post Oh Forester and "has said that Il
wlil give too much power to ono man },
and the Mayor added that HARRISBURG
really has been successful with its com
missions. '' 'oii
That may be true, but I am going
W say right here began Mr.. Tavlor,
that the Park Department has been
run Just as well if not better this wear
as 1t was formerly when we had park
BOARD. That is pretty broad state.
ment but | will be prepared to show if
at the end of the year.
Mr.. Taylor said he thinks ";t is
pretty small for any one to sav that
certain members of the City Commission
are playing politics in that they now
are attempting to create another post. -
anu Mr.. Bowman added:
Yes. One newspaper has gone On
iar as to accuse this body of plavino
10 corporations. That is not fair ),
Mayors Idea of It
oh,' began the Mayor. "T aon y
thlnk that is the fact. ! take i tbot
the newspaper meant il wonId bs ,na' nns
slble under this ordinance IN do H.. H.
sort of business.'' 'H"'
They. are attempting to pollute the
puohc mind with things which are mt
aetnai facts, wound up Mr. Favlor.
Inc Commissioners then proceeded to
the vote on the ordinance. II nasseS !
second and third reading by the same
vote, to 2. '"'''
An ordinance exonerating the Sixth |
street United Brethren church from the
payment OF a Seneca street paving as |
sessment was offered by Commissioner
Lynch and passed first reading.
The Civic Club, of Harrisburg. sent
communication to the Commission
urging the passage of an ordinance pro.
vldlng for creating a tree commission |
To City Solicitor Seitz was referred |
complaint of the Second Baptist
church, Cameron street, between Mar. |
ket and State, to the effect that it is
without adequate fire protection. Men.
tion was made of the inability to get
insurance on the church property as a |
result of conditions in the neighbor-
hood
Plan to Redeem S22, 1000 Bonds
A resolution providing for the re-
demption of $4,000 of paving bonds
given to contractors when the paving
of Front street between Maclay and |
Division streets was completed was Of
fered by Mr.. Gorgas. This measure
will have no effect whatever on the
suits now pending in court by which the
question of whether property owners
will be compelled to pay certain parts
of paving assessments will be deter
mined.