South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-08-21

sought to make estimates on a pro-
posed stretch of greenhouses and the
idea looking toward the building OF
a conservatory finally took form.
Through an exchange OF correspond
ence carried OF between the park
board and the Lord & Burnham Co,
greenhouse designers and manufac-
turers, of New York, this firm sub
mitted plans and specifications call
ing for a conservatory Of goodly pro-
portions, the total cost of which.
exclusive of the floors and footings.
TO be s43.351. The city was pre-
pared at that time, II was said. TO
to do the floor and all work up TO
the glass. which was estimated 10
cost S12 532. The cost Of the un-
dertaking. at the peak OF high prices.
would have run 10 total of s55.SS3.
This cost. however, was held to be
prohibitive at the time and further
tentative plans TO secure q conserva-
tory for South Bend were aban-
doned With the reduced costs of
building. the idea has come TO the
fore again and judging by express
sions given by para boards officials,
public spirited citizens and members
Of civic organizations recently. the
forecast of a conservatory in one of
our city parks sometime within the
next year or two is opportune.
Estimate Cost at $4,000.
According to specifications by
Lord & Burnham 10 the park board
for range of glass, and which was
staked off in Leeper park south Of
the North pumping station about 100
feet, the proposed conservatory
feet three inches wide by AZ feet
four inches long under the dome.
two show houses each rs feet by so
feet; three greenhouses each 25 feet
by rs feet: a passa ge house II feet
by eight feet four inches, and two
propagating houses each II feet by
eight feet four inches.
By locating the conservatory close
TO the pumping station there would
be no necessity OF the extra expense
Of a furnace room as the heat for
the range Of glass would be secured
from the exhaust steam generated by
the boilers in the pumping station.
The cost of construction, according
70 builders with the present reduc.
ton IN building costs. should not ex-
coed $4,000. is the opinion OF local
builders. There Is likelihood, &C
cording TO these same men, OF the
cost Of the range Of glass not ex-
ceeding $4,000 built today.
Not only would such a conserva-
tory be a great work OF beauty and
distinguish the park where II is To-
Gated" said Mr.. Perley. but the
need OF it for propagating purposes
is very mex essary."
Civic Organizations Could Help.
The park board itself has no
means by which Il can have a con-
servatory erected Such an under
taking would be required 70 go De-
fore the common council and with
present levies. there is no reason to
believe the council would see At TO
pass this expense 10 the city's tax
/ payers. According TO presen; indica-
tons. the only way that South Bend
viii get its conservatory, IL II insists
upon having 1t, will be through pri-
vate donations
The idea has been expressed by
several interested in seeing the city
have the show and propagaung
greenhouses that various civic or
ga8izations could assess each OF It's
mem bers a small amount and the
money be raised and presented 20
/ the city for the purpose intended.
I The idea has been brought up in
other cities il is said. and has
proved a success.