South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-01-22
VOTE IS CHANGED
BY PRES'T ELBEL
Explains New Attitude on
Playground Question as
One to Retain Peace.

South Bends recreation commit
tee viii have charge Of the park
Fairgrounds in the future. following
action taken hy PRIEST Richard Elbel
at Friday nights meeting OF the park
board at the city hall. Mr.. Elbel.
during the reading Of minutes of
the last session Of the board. made
a motion for the substitution OF an
affirmative vote where he had before
acast against the project.
''rhis means the recreation COM
-1nittee viii have full charge Of the
Fairgrounds %" PRIEST Elbel was ask
ed. following the meeting
1T means that the board OF educa-
tion will have fuiI charge Of the
Fairgrounds. and the recreation com
mittee IS responsible TO it, Both
will be responsible 20 us" was Mr.
EIbers reply.
Serve Two Masters
In explaining his previous stand
and introducing. his late decision,
Mr.. Elbel reminded the board that
the matter OF recreation committee
supervision OF PLAY grounds had been
mp for the past year A year ago.
ne said. "the mayor and this board
deeided against such action on the
theory that no man could serve two
masters
I'm view OF this fact" continued
fhe park board head FL was per-
sonally consistent in ms attitude on
this question. After the park board
installed and built mp the play
fr a
10 me entirely right that if super
vision was 10 be had il should be
under the direction of the board.
especially since the board has been
anxious for such supervision and
wanted only 20 have funds with
which TO maintain it,"
Throughout, it seems. "a left-hand-
ed blow was being taken at the board
Of education. which appears the
Underlying objection To the plan.
with the consent of the board.
said Mr. EIbel. Il will alter my rul-
ing on the question and east the
unanimous vote of this body for it.
] have two reasons for so doing In
the first place. Or. Lent was willing
10 vote for the measure two weeks
ago. and wished only 20 have the
action unanimOvs. 7 seem mad
vertently TO have placed him i'm an
unsavory light.
Grants Mayor a Say.
Secondly. / realize the mayor
should have "A right along general
lines TO carry out any program Of
his. so long as il does not conflict
with our board in matters Of princi-
pie. Besides the mayor as we'll as
Comptroller Manning, who is deeply
interested in the playground work.
are personal friends Of long stand
ing. and I think they will concede
10 me the same right of an opinion
as / do 90 them
we have labored together in the
work Of the Chamber of Commerce
and in numerous other public ways
with the same general object of civic
welfare in view. do not wish.
therefore. 10 stand in the way. and
will, for the sake of harmonious
unity. cast the unanimous vote of
this board in favor OF the mayors
wishes"
Keller Ready To Oppose.
During the latter part OF last
week. following discussion of the
boards previous action, registered i'm
the vote OF Mr.. Elbel and Or. Lent
on the park playground project.
Mayor Fred w Keller declared him
self ready to east vote against his
board head iE carrying out the
propaganda of recreation committee
supervision of Fairgrounds
Mayor Keller explained the pro-