South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-17
THE BILL TO RECLAIM THE VAL
UE OF POTTAWATOMIE PARK.

THE BILL TO RECLAIM THE VAL
UE OF POTTAWATOMIE PARK.
The bill proposed for introduction
in the legislature relative 10 the resto-
ration Of Pottawatomie park TO the
county. invalidating the lease that
Soutg Bend holds. and providing for
the sale Of the site TO the city. or
elsewhere. the proceeds 20 be used for
the promotion OF agricultural fairs.
has been made public. IL ought TO
correct some Of the wrong impressions
shat South Bend has been entertaining
regarding the matter II will correct
some OF them. others will decline TO
have their impressions corrected.
Some who are interested in the reten-
ton of the park by the city, without
proper compensation 10 the county,
will no doubt be just as satisfied that
the wrong impression should continue.
The meeting 10 be held at the high
school auditorium this week for dis
cussion Of the proposition is a step
in the right direction. We half opine.
however. that n will be difficult TO
get much OF anywhere with it. unless
there is some disposition TO be fair,
on the Fart OF the people OF the city,
as we'll as those of the country. l. is
all very well To talk about not stirring
up strife between the country boys"
and the city folk" but if such is to
be avoided. il would seem that the
city folk" as we'll as the country
boys" should do something to that
end.
What the "City folk" seem TO want
the country boys" to do 10 avoid
strife. however, is 10 indulge an un-
conditional surrender. make the city
a virtual present Of the Pottawatomie
park site, and look pleasant. In other
words these lads from the hillside can
have the friendly regard of our pave
ment promenaders, by being generous,
and like Lazarus, take the crumbs.
The bill submitted sets at naught
two things. The people OF River Park
need worry no more about the park
being converted back into a fair
ground That prejudice ought at
once TO be removed.
South Bend is given the first chance
20 become the purchaser of the prop
erty this at a price to be set by ap-
praisers, payable in municipal bonds.
with the actual cost of improvements
already made deducted.
II the city does not purchase, the
site may be sold elsewhere to the
highest bidder. and the city will be
compensated for its investment in the
improvements.
In either case. the money accruing
10 the county is TO be invested else
where, for agricultural and horticul-
tural fair purposes.
The whole proposition is TO return to
first principles. The bill is calculated
10 be fair and impartial to both city
and county. This talk about Senator
Summers and Rep. Hepler. being un-
fair TO the people OF the city is mis-
leading. They are citizens OF the coun-
~ as we'll as OF the city. What the
city pays TO the county therefore is
taking It out OF one Of their pockets
and putting it into the other. so they
are not robbed, while the farmer is
actually helped. At the same time
county fair In the vicinity OF South
Bend will prove a great asset to the
city. while the country is interested
in city parks. but very remotely. il
at all.
Why not face the issue exactly as it
stands? The county invested the
money originally 20 promote county
fairs. Why not continue the money in
that course. ''unearned increment and
all. When Judge Howard, as in let
ter made public. asserts that the "un-
earned increment" belongs to the COM
munity that creates it. we are inclined
70 agree, but the principle should be
made to apply. If at all. to private In
terests as we'll as public interests.
The first thing we know we will have
a single tax school operating in South
Send as the result OF this cOntrO-
versy. and then there will be trouble
sure
Besides. IL the city's program keeps
on. and it can make il stick, il won't
have 10 pay anything for the park. or
very little. regardless OF its value IL
will all be swallowed up by the cost.
or alleged cost OF improvements.
There is no telling what amount OF
money il will claim TO have spent on
Pottawatomie park in the immediate
future. 1t has been going up at the
rate OF about $4,000 week now for
the past two weeks Not long ago Il
was $4,000. \ week later il is S1O,-
600. Now IT is $4,000. There seems
10 be a determination somewhere that
II the city should have 70 buy the site.
or If il should be sold elsewhere. the
credit or return 10 be made to the
municipality. will surely be enough