South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-21
THE RIGHTFUL LIMIT TO PARK
BOARD EXPENDITURES.

~ y
II we mistake not. unless the tenn
Ter of the next state assembly is diff
fereEt than the last one. it viii not De
wise for any OF the park boards of the
state 10 appear before that body 10
ask for further powers. or opportuni-
ties for larger expenditures Of money.
Pres't Elbel of the local board. would
do well 10 make a study of mis- men
before ne undertakes 20 put into exc
cution his comment on his recent clash
with the city administration, else he
may return home with the board
kicked entirely out from under him.
PARK boards all over Indiana have
been more or less affected with an
ultra-enthusiesm for their work, un-
able TO keep within the appropria-
tions that the Law allows them, and
inclined 10 pull the taxpayers leg,
always for a little more by special
appropriations from common councils
until the public has grown just trife
tired Of il.
South Bend wants parks. plenty Of
them. and kept up in proper shape,
thing else. Everybody would like an
automobile too-which would forth
with solve the 'jitney" problem,-but
the most of US realize that our limit is
a pair OF shoes. Because former adj
ministrations nave appropriated money
TO the park board is no criterion 10 go
by. The statute creating the commits
sion anticipated the amount Of money
IL should be allowed TO expend and the
commission should anticipate that al
lowance and stop with il. Perhaps
too. il a little more discretion were
used. and a little less money used in
the transportation of trees that die
in their sojOurn across the city, the
legal appropriation available from a
innocent tax, would come nearer TO
meeting the requirements
The board of park commissioners
needs TO get it out of its head-which
means out of Pres't Elbers head
that it is the center of our municipal
circumference. or that the whole city
revoIves around it. It needed to get
that out Of its head in the matter of
the accumulation Of oliver field as a
playground, or il would have been
still deeper in the hole for money
with which 10 execute it's plans. II
would be excellent to have the boards
boulevard system completed, but the
question still remains as TO tie advisa-
bility Of our expending all the city's
money on such a few streets, to he es-
pecially enjoyed by so comparatively
few people.
Likewise with the proposed forestry
ordinance, and city forester to cost
some $4,000 with other incidentals.
but under the Jurisdiction of the park
board. never. For tri1e over $4,000
a year South Bend should he able to
employ "A forester who is also enough
OF park expert, TO take charge OF
our forestry and park system, within
the legal appropriations that the law
allows him. and render the necessity
OF park commissioners a negligible
quantity Under such a system it
would eliminate the importation OF
any more Kesslers TO au the board
head with extravagant ideas, as a
means OF showing that ne has earned
his big salary.
What South Bend wants first is not
so much. more parks. as it is parks
that can he enjoyed. The people
smile, as well they may. at a public
park. their property. with Keep of
the grass" signs 20 warn them against
trespassing. No wonder that there
was public revolt against oliver play
field being placed under the jurisdic-
ton of the park board lest the chill
dren going there 20 play be permitted
only 10 sit in a park seat along side
some beaten path and make whirly-
gigs Of their thumbs The purpose of
a park or a playfeld. is not alone a
place for the public 10 go 10 admire
the artistic" touches OF the park
commissioners. but also 10 enjoy a
change TO enjoy relaxation. and for
recreation-to which keep of the
grass" signs make but very minute
contributions
Candidly we are of the opinion that
not only City Atty. Seebirt took a
right view OF the law IA his advice "a
the mayor and common council. bat
that the council would have adopted
proper policy 10 withhold the appro-
priation asked. even had he advised il
that il had legal authority 90 make
such an appropriation. Ii was an app
propriate trimming 20 huttering WINGS
Cities like individuals need 20 learn
that while recreation is not uecessar-
fly a luxury, IL should % a like eN-
tent Zee saved from becoming a luxury
Municipalities need 20 live Within q
certain means. and this applies &c
park boards as well as 20 boards oi
public works. board OF public safety
and-and-gar5 masters
THE CONNECTS ~PHONY CHANCE
Sing Sing prison has been gettine
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