South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-10-06
ASSESSMENT PLAN
SHOWN COUNCIL
Park Board Explains Ordl-
nanceS for Appointing For
ester and Getting Funds.

Pres't Richard Elbel of the board Of
park commissioners in company with
Irving ". Jackson and w. ". Riden-
our. also of the board. presented TO
the committee OF the whole OF the
common council at It's regular meeting
last night two 0Tdinances-One pro-
Niding for the appointment Of a city
forester and the protection of the
eity's trees and shrubs and the other
"A system by which the board VIII be
enabled TO further its campaign TOT
a better and more systematic local
park system.
According to the provisions of the
latter ordinance, the city should be
divided into four districts. known as
park districts. in each of which the
property holders Will be responsible
for all Improvement installed.
Dividing the city in the manner
described asserted the park board
president. would enable us TO con-
tinue our work. Otherwise we will
literally be up against it,. Hereafter
in all or work we must have your
support, unless you would see MS DRIFT
behind the times. and fall far below
the standard set by other Indiana
cities Of the second class
we would assess property holders
IN eacn OF THESE ulsliitlH III tAdNtA9 III
same manner by which the board OF
public works assesses for improve
ments installed We have that power,
and would by state law be allowed 10
call for assessments up to 10 per cent
in a term OF 10 years, of the assessed
valuation OF all lots benefited.
The committee refused Elbel's invi-
tation To discuss the proposed ordi-
nance. Chairman Buechner declaring
that 1t would first have TO be given the
consideration of the common council
The ordinance has not yet been for
mally presented TO the council
The districts as planned would be
divided by Lafayette blvd. and Dlyi-
sion st. All territory west of Dafay-
cite blvd. and north OF Division 81. is
designated in the ordinance as park
district No. / the angle formed east
of Lafayette blvd. and north OF Divi-
sion ST. is park district No. 2; south
OF Division St and east of Lafayette is
park district No. 3, and that south OF
Division and west of Lafayette is dis
trict No. 4.
I'VE would establish district rival
ry." said Elbel What is wanted in
one place will probably have been
done in another"
The forestry ordinance is one that
has been given the consideration of
the park board and Mayor Keller for
some time. 1t provides for the pro
lection OF all trees owned by the city,
and for the appointment by the park
board OF a city forester.
I'VE would not be able to appoint a
forester for some time" said Elbel.
we have not the funds at present
and will not have for a long time in
the future. However. once the power
is given us the work toward this end
would be enlivened and encouraged.
our trees are as much a part Of the
city as our streets and should be cared
for under municipal law. All trim
ming, surgery and other work should
be under our supervision.
"'rhe ordinance we have given YOU
gives us full power over all trees on
the streets and boulevards of the city.
and of all private trees whose foliage
hangs over the city'S streets and side
walks. II states that no person shall
hitch horses to trees. That nothing
shall be done by individuals TO city
trees until the written permission of
the park board Is obtained"
The office Of city forester. according
To the ordinance. would be filed by an
expert who would be empowered 10
carry out the provisions of the ordi-
nance.