The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-05-22
NOR TON LAKE
AS CITY PARK
SUGGESTED BY
BUSINESS men
S. E. Swayne, Heaviest Stock
holder, viii Donate His In
terest to City if Property is
Taken Over.
CLUB TO ACT ON PLAN

A proposal providing for the ac-
QUESTION by the city Of Richmond Of
the Morton lake property will be con-
sidered formally at special meeting
Of the board Of directors Of the Com
mercial club Monday evening. The
proposition has been submitted to the
club by S. e. Swayne, member of the
board and the heaviest stockholder in
the Morton lake project. Indications
today were that the sentiment of the
club board favored recommending to
the city council the taking over Of the
property.
Speaking at dinner Wednesday
evening given in honor of James Carr,
q retiring member Of the Commercial
club board, Mr.. Swayne said that as
far as he individually was concerned.
he would donate his interest in the
property to the city, but that he could
not speak for the other stockholders,
as far as their attitude toward con-
tributing their interests was con-
cerned
Surrounds Artificial Lake
The Morton lake property consists
Of about 160 acres of land in the north
east section of the city. The grounds
surround an artificial lake of some
magnitude, and are here and there
dotted with small houses or bungalows
builded by stockholders during the pc
riod of developing the project and
when interest in the proposal was at
Its heighth. Between $4,000 and $780,
600 was spent on identifying and Inn
proving the site by the twenty-five
original purchasers. The original
plan providing that the city could at
anytime take over the property at the
original cost to the purchasers plus
per cent interest.
CAS- far as personally am con,
cerned," said Mr.. swayne, IT am will
ing to forego any remuneration for
my interest In the property, but cam
not say whether or not the others
would do the same. It seems to me
thst the Morton lake property would
be an ideal site for park and If TAX
en- over by the city and improved.
would assist materially in building up
that end of the city.
Ask Only Equitable Plan.
The property Is now owned by the
Morton Realty company. ! am not a
director of the company, but I know
that the stockholders would consider
any proposal from the city that would
be equitable"
'I think Mr.. Swayne's suggestion is
a splendid one" said Elmer e. Egge-
meyer, president of the Commercial
club Thursday. with small cost
the city could maintain the property
and it would be big addition to the
park system Of the city. The city
could keep up the park at one-tenth OF
the cost to the Morton Realty COM
pany. And let me say that all the
Zig stockholders like Mr.. Swayne
w. donate their interests to the
CT. The stockholders are at heavy
expense in keeping up the property,
and they are deriving no benefit from
1t in its present form. Those here
interested In civic affairs should get
behind this project and help put 1t
through, for it would be a big thing
for the city of Richmond"
PeItz Opposes Plan.
John E. Peltz, president of the
Board of Works, said Thursday that
he did not see how the city could take
over the property. Mr.. Peltz was
questioned regarding the proposal in
the absence of Mayor w. w. thinner
man, who Is confined to his bed by {
slight illness "The city is in a baG
way to consider any such a proposi
tion," said Mr.. PeltZ. I'VE can't de
what we should do on the streets be
cause of the lack of money. In m.
opinion, the acquisition by the city o
the property would be miilstont
around the city's neck. That is m.
opinion now: l may change it wheI
the proposition is submitted to tht
city. / always was opposed to thu
Morton lake project because believed
it was impractical"
John NJ Eontz and other prominen
business men have volunteered t,
sponsor a campaign for fund tina
would enable the city to acquire th'
property cheaply, it is said.