The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-02-17
Mayor Gives Hearty Approval to Movement
for Gardening All Idle Ground and
Promises Cooperation Of
City Officials
PLANS BEAUTY SPOT
NEAR CITY HALL
Serves Notice Strong Arm Of Law Will Be
Felt by Citizens Who Fail TO Keep
Down Weeds During Com
ing Summer

Ht0bto tndt uG L
heartily in accord with the movement
which has been initiated by the board
OF directors OF the Grady County Com
mercial and Farm bureau to have all
vacant lots in chickasha cultivated.
One trouble will be met with, the
mayor states, which will be the incl-
nation on the part OF many of the own.
ers OF vacant properties to want to
charge an excessive rental on these
lots. Mr.. Coffman thinks any one own
ing vacant lots may well afford to
give the use Of those lots, rent free
10 any worthy person who will culti-
Nate the same in careful manner. so
that the grades Of the lots will not be
destroyed, and who will see to it that.
following the removal of the crops,
weeds and tall grass will not be allow
ed to grow on the property.
Unfortunately" said Mr.. Coffman.
"the ones who own the largest lots
Will be found to be the ones who will
want an extortionate rental for the
same. And" continued he with a
smile they are the ones who will he
found the most prosperous in the
matter of having their weeds cut"
The mayor, when asked what crops
he thought would be cultivated to the
best advantage in the matter of pro-
ducing results to those who may cul-
tivate them and of adding to the civic
attractveness of the city. stated that
almost any kind of crops would answer
except corn and cane, including kafir
and feterita. He favored, however
most Of all, the planting Of all lots 20
ordinary garden crops. This climate"
Mr.. Coffman said, admits of two gar.
dens year, and two crops will go far
toward keeping the weeds and grass
down and toward keeping up the civic
appearance of the city,
Mr. Coffman stated that the city Of
ficials would, he thought, agree with
him in the matter of the city's taking
hand in the movement. He stated that
it was his idea to have the vacant lots
on the opposite side of Sixth street
from the City hall, plotted and planted
to flowers and blooming shrubs and
vines. This property does not belong
to the city, hut Mr.. Coffman felt sure
the owner would gladly give his con-
sent to the enterprise.
you may say for me- said Mr..
Coffman in closing his remarks, "the
police department viii do their share
Toward helping this matter along, and
as police judge will do my share
Acting in conjunction with Mr. Beets
of streets and alleys,
propose that all vacant lots shall be
Kept free of weeds during the coming
spring, summer and autumn seasons.
The owner of these lots will have their
choice of letting persons who will cul-
-ivate them and keep the weeds down
have their lots or cutting the weeds
which will grow in case the lots are
not cultivated or paying fines in the
sum of $40 for each offense caused by
failure to cut the weeds"
Mr.. Coffman stated still further. in
conclusion, that he felt the movement
IN the part of the Commercial and
Farm bureau would receive the heart
lest cooperation and support Of all
citizens of the city who felt pride
IN the civic beauty of Chickasha. and
added again the assurance that the
,ity. through its mayor. would be found
willing. anxious and ready to help roll
The chariot of progress" along. "And
believe" were Mr.. Coffman's final
words, "every city official win concur
with me and will cooperate with all
Of us"