South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-07
An Appreciation.

The NeWS-TimeS:-
1 have read in your Sunday issue
that the former superintendent of
parks, Mr.. II. Beyers, has been en-
gagged as superintendent of parks by
Michigan City / regret to say they
gain and South Bend loses by this
change, but il shows how little our
present park board appreciates the
value of experience to give our city
the best that can be had without
greatly increasing the cost. In drop
ping Mr. Beyers, who for 10 years
had charge of our parks, and under
whose care they were so much i'm
proved that even visitors began to
make favorable remarks about them,
it seems the only object the board
had was not to economic but just to
provide a soft berth for some political
henchman. Efficiency certainly was
not considered in forcing Mr.. Beyers
out, nor could economy have any
bearing on the case. for the, two are
natural twins and go together. What
South Bend has in parks is practically
mostly the work OF Mr.. Beyers. What
il will have in a few years under
the present superintendent, no one
can tell Those, however, who know
just a little about the care of trees
and shrubs, etc, have some doubts,
after seeing the changes made last
summer and the transplanting of trees
in midsummer. AS a landscape archi-
tect, Mr.. Beyers has found recogni-
ton, not only in South Bend, but all
over northern Indiana, and even by
experts in Chicago, who unreservedly
approved and lauded his layouts and
drawings. What can the present in
cumbent of the office advance in that
line to prove his fitness for the posi-
ton? The way the parks were man
aged and cared for last year indicates
that there is lacking even the a 3 G
in forestry at the head. If the park
board had only the object in view of
providing a soft place with an easy
salary for a petty politician, it could
not have done any better, for certainly
economy, efficiency and consequent
progress could not have been deter
mining factors in their deliberations
about filling the place.
The management of some of our
boards the last year has caused quite
q few of our independent voters to
regret that they helped To elect the
ticket. but the cry for a clean, pro-
gressive and economical administra-
ton must have had such a true ring
that many Will never heed it again.
II looks very much as if the city ad-
ministration was now more under the
dominance of petty politicians than
ever before. In the case of our parks,
it has been, as friend aptly remarks.
a case of making the goat the keeper
OF the garden patch.
1t has been said the present super
intendent has started a regular nurs-
cry. Most like to, in years 10 come
provide the citizens with trees and
shrubs TO beautify their habitations.
Well. well, / may after all have come
in wrong The board, or more likely
the superintendent Of parks. may be
looking into the distant future, and
as a good general establishing a base
Of supply when the present trees and
shrubs Will have been gone. TO fall
back on Well. il is wise. for if the
last years work is a criterion it will
not be long when such a base will be
very handy / hope they can make
the young trees in the nursery finish
a two years growth in one. Other
cities have tried the plan. with even
efficient men at the head. The park
board OF Chicago for a long time. and
/ if I am not much mistaken. even be
! fore South Bend even thought OF
parks. had its own nursery, but had
10 finally give it up as too expensive
a luxury. However. where Chicago
/ failed, South Bend is sure 10 win.
Why, they even stuck TO the old plan
there OF transplanting trees in the
early spring before the sap started TO
rise or late in the fall, TO give the
ground time 20 Well settle again by
the frOsts and thaws OF early fall and
/ spring. But maybe science has pro-
/ crossed little since those days. and