South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-07-07
HUSHl COUNCILMAN THOMPSONi

That was very impertinent Councilman sevor
Thompson to the question of Mayor Kellar that he
did the council meeting Monday night right on the
eve the dedication Of $4,000 park to the south
west of the cty-in celebration o Fourth.
commemorate the manner in which the Indians
that whole section Of country for jug
Of What the councilman wanted to know. how
ever. was what has become Of the housing and
itary survey provided for by the council weeks
ago. through appropriation OF $4,000 OF course
the councilman knows what has become of it, II has
been sdetracked. SO far Mayor Kear. the health
officer and other administration being back of
it, is concerned. the sanitary housing survey
nothing but a bluff start with.
The mayor already more concerned in the in
hation Of real estate values in the vicinity of Rum
Village. than he in doing something for the
pie that the people really need. lie growing
public demand for better housing conditions and op-
portunity for sanitation various parts of the city
and knew that unless sidetracked in way
il might grow inslstent a proposition a housing
survey was accordingly Erappled onto with
geance. An ordinance for a housing survey, it was
figured would satisfy people temporarily. the
only question then remaining would be make The
temporary survey permanent Health officer Bosen-
bury. for anxious 10 have something
to sderack that urging the passage of the ordi-
nance the council assured that the survey would
DE taken up once only people be employed
and not a cent would be paid to outsiders. We have
every good reason to believe that he and Mayor Keller
had already planned TO do nothing; that they would
first delay 10y pretending want the
survey made right 10y government agent, whose
arrival the job they might be able to OF till
their hearts are content
Besides. what is a movement TO make every home
It's own health resort" in comparison with having
great big woods out in the country that YOU get
after while If YOU enjoy long hikes? Dr. Edwin
r Crosse president De Pauw university addressing
the Fourth of July pioneers at Rum Village, hit the
nail squarely the head when he said that the ded
cation of grounds represent the spirit the
does. but disagree with him TO its being
commendable spirit within the local application. We
have altogether much OF that spirit and only
here but frequently elsewhere that makes big spread
Of parks and other luxurious improvements. cal
culated hypnotic people with their surroundings.
while negIecting things that they need We can
spend $4,000 for park i'm which people may loiter
an hour night. Sunday. a holiday.
bat afford give these people water mains
sewers. p4vius Heht air. encouraging cleanliness and
health which they enjoy day in and day out night
in and night out throughout the year.
Neither can We afford take care Of our hremen
and policemen az salaries that would bring them a
cent living. 1t might not show up like a big woods.
same with water mains and sewers. They so under
the ground; and light and air. they imasine,
are free oh We cannot afford TO give those peo-
pie the end other parts of the city water
mains that will enable them connect with the
that they already have. but have plenty or
money with which 20 buy Rum village-whle as 10
housing and survey. might he dangerous
10 brought out. the spots. and whole
localities south Bend. where water
mains are well nigh a health preserving necessity.
It is cheaper perhaps for the municipality
show up less conspcuously the expenditure side Of
ths ladEer-for the administration its bloviatns