Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-05-23
CITY should BUY
SITE ON CAPITOL
CITIZENS BELIEVE

VI hA-h~h ~ ~ -k@hk- A-
Nine answers suggesting that
the city of Salem take action to
save the oak grove at north Mill
creek and Capitol street for
school, park, or playground pur-
poses, and only one reply discour-
aging such a move, were received
today by r. A. Harris, one of a
committee of four persons who
recently sent out query to
scores of Salem citizens with a
view to determining the trend of
public sentiment in regard to the
question.
Several well known persons are
among those from whom answers
We're received today. The query
mailed on post cards signed
by Mrs. A. N. Bush, George E.
Haivorsen, Paul Wallace and r.
A. Harris.
Site Must Be Sold
Zone of Salem's beauty spots,
the oak grove on Capitol street, is
about to be divided into city lots
and placed on the market" the
communication explained. "Sa-
lem has too few such spots for
schools, parks and Fairgrounds.
The owners are. compelled to dis
pose of it at once, but the under
signed are assured that IL sold in
one piece for public purposes, a
price materially less than its mar
ket value will be made besides
saving the expense of surveying.
Please give your opinion in so
words or less as to whether the
city should take over this beauti-
full tract"
Even with details concerning
the tracts disposition still vague,
the replies have been overwhelm-
ingly in favor of saving the grove
for the city.
Many Favor Plan
Following are some of the ans
wers received:
A. C. Bohrnstedt-"Yes, abso-
lutely."
William Brownies, by all
means"
G. Putnam-"City should ac-
quire it,"
DR.. F. l.. Utter-"This is an op-
portunity Salem should not pass
by To acquire this property now
means large saving for the flu
ture."
George H. Burnett-'Presum-
ing the grove on the property for
merly owned by Rev. j. l.. Par
IRISH is meant, I favor preserving
it as public park to be called
Parrish park"
Luther ]. Chapin-'I am GER
tainly in favor of securing the
property for a public playground,
I should like, also, to see the city
secure the fir grove on the river
road just north of the poor farm.
Approval is Voiced
III. w. Meyers-'I very much
approve of the city taking over
the property. 1t is essential for the
future welfare of the community
that good SCHOOLS, churches and
hospitals be maintained.
Joseph Domogalla-'1 think it
very wise deal for the city to
buy this piece Of property for a
city park, 1t is too valuable to cut
into city lots"
e. A. Rhoten-"Depends upon
the details, price, etc, but as a
matter of principle l favor such
parks. 1 now pay taxes into four
figures and will be willing to
pay more on this IL the details are
satisfactory.
Carey f. Martin-"Think it is
impossible to save all these beau
ty spots. have crew of men
hL my SAPChpVr u iliE W
make passable the street passing
one of these unsold oak groves on
south Liberty street. The city,
now and for years, has left unim-
proved a dangerous street seven
blocks from the business center
of Salem"
Is Good School Site
With a new high school held nee
essary in Salem within a few
years, the site on north Capitol
street has been looked on by many
with favor. The two blocks i'm
mediately on the north OF the
grove already are owned by the
city and, with the new site, 1t is
believed the city would have
location for a high school which
would take care of expansion for
at least so years. The site, it is
pointed out, is the geographical
center of the city.