South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-10
FAVOR PURCHASE
Of RUM VILLAGE
Mass Meeting at City Hall
Finds All But Two Of
IS Vote Yes.

ATFeF Two NUHIc vi AArN Nt-s7at'tA VII
the purposal 10 purchase Rum VIII
lage woods a standing vo1e taken
Thursday night AT the public meet
ing held IN the Scity council cham Der
showed all but two OF an audience OF
IS TO be in favor OF the proposal
Mayor Keller acted as chairman OF
the meeting. Nearly all OF the time
was taken up with talks by those
who believed that the tract OF land
should be purchased for the sake OF
future generations who otherwise
might not have an adequate recrea-
ton ground in the city.
Although nearly every one pres
ent at the meeting pronounced
themselves as favoriug the purchase
yet there was some little resentment
displayed because certain sections OF
the city had not received cOnsidera-
ton that had been asked for in
times past. This resentment was
displayed particularly by citizens Of
the south side and OF the east side.
IL was said that members Of civic
clubs and citizens generally in the
south side favored the purchase Of
IL money could be spent for that
purpose IL could also be spent i'm
park and playground Improvements
in that section OF the city.
Fast Side Wants Attention.
A Representative Of the COQuillard
school Parents-Teachers' club was
somewhat scathing in her remarks
regarding public officials who had
failed 10 provide a suitable building
for the Coquillard school. She said
that the feeling in that section of the
city was in favor Of the purchase Of
Rum Village woods but that they
felt that they themselves should at
least have a portable auditorium in
asmuch as there was no adequate
meeting place for the neighbOrhood.
This speaker credited the city Off
Gals with having done something I'm
securing patterns for traffic signs
which she said had been promised
the residents Of the CoquiHard sec
ton two years ago. She said that
there was some hope in the COM
munity that he signs might perhaps
be received within / 0 years.
After the vote had been taken.
Mayor Keller turned the option on
the property over to the council ex-
planning that action would be taken
soon inasmuch as the option expired
within about three weeks. The
property in question contains 1887
acres fronting one-half mile on
Ewing av.. from KimbaU st. west to
Gertrude St. and running south
from Ewing st. ZOO feet. The pur-
chase price is $4,000 payable SIX
900 cash and $4,000 a year with
terest at four per cent The IN yOr
explained that the intention was to
issue boz DIS 70 be paid from the sink
ing fund after one year il was
pointed out that the cast of the
property would approximate 90
cents per capita or ( II cents a year
for each resident of the city during
the time OF payment
Opposition 10 the proposal was
based mainly IN the contention that
the city should improve the parks
which il had before purchasing more
The general opinion however. was
that IL would be economy for the
city 10 purchase the land now NJ the
price OF approximately $3.50 an acre
rather than 20 wait until the price
would be higher. 1t was pointed
out, further. that the timber would
probably be cut off the land I'm the
near future II IL were not protected
by the city.
Board Plans for Future.
Richard Elbel OF the park board
a
OF the purchase in a strong appeal
for the conservation OF the beauty
spots in proximity 90 the city. He
said that there had not been the i'm
provements IN the parks of the city
that might be desired. but he ex-
planned this by saying that the neg
lect had been caused by the lack of
funds and also that the plans of the
park necessarily looked TO the fu-
ture and included such results as
could not be provided and laiG az the
feet OF the people as soon as might
be desired. There was no need. he
said, for complaint about the cost
OF buying Rum village woods mas
much a. the city tax rate had been
the same for several years with mo
immediate prospect of an increase.
Mayor Keller ne said. was 10 Doe
praise for his work in making il
possible for the city 20 secure the
az such a reasonable price.
Those who attended the meetine
were largely Representatives elected
by the various civic clubs. Various
communications were read in which
Il was urged that the property be
purchased. As 90 what should be
done with the land after il should
be purchased. 10 was generally
agreed that the natural beauty OF
the place was sufficient Go make il
acceptable as a park without the
addition OF extensive changes.
Born 20 Mr. and Mrs. NJ. CLYDE
Horst Of Jamestown. Pa. a daugh-
March .