Laurel outlook., 1948-03-31
PUBLIC CORDIAL
To FUND DRIVE
TO FINISH PARK
Early Reports From SOlici-
tors Indicate Lively In
terest In Project

The campaign for funds to COM
plete the Laurel athletic park, on
which nearly $8,700 has been spent
and which should have an additional
$500 or more, is meeting a cordial
reception, early reports from the
soliciting committees InGicae. Paul
Void said this week that the work
ers hope to have the job done by
April 10 so that the park car be
completed and put into operation
this summer for junior and adult
baseball and can be used next fall
for football. The completion plans
are for installing lights for night
playing, bleacher sections and, if
there is enough money, a public ad-
dress system.
That the completion project would
be well received was indicated Mon
day evening at a kickoff dinner at
tended by more than 80 representa-
tives of interested groups and the
general public. The dinner at the
Board of Trade cafe was followed by
a program of brief addresses by
the representatives and by the work
ers who would conduct the canvass
in railroad departments, petroleum
and allied industries, business dis
trict and civic-minded groups. The
actual solicitation began the follow
ing morning, Tuesday.
Paul Wilson, chairman of the ath-
letic park board, presided at the
meeting. Board members represent
the city council, school board and
the Laurel Commercial club.
Wilson outlined the progress that
has been made to date on the park
project and the need for additional
funds with which to complete it.
Mayor Peter Thomson declared
that the city council favors the en-
tire program and expressed the
hope that the park would o be
in operation for the benefit of the
sports-loving public.
Oliver Void, president of the
Commercial club, commented on the
good work already done and assured
the assembly that the business or
ganization he heads is strongly in
favor of the program.
Sam Bliss, representing american
Legion post 123 which is particular
ly interested in the park because Of
it's Observation-Disclosures project of ma
tional scope, said there will be a
team this year to represent the
Laurel post. A good start has been
made towards organizing the team,
may be supplied with new
uniforms.
Coach Glen Anderson of the Lau-
rel schools stressed the need for an
athletic park, to be used by the
community's small boys and by
those in high school as old as 16
and under the American Legion age
He also mentioned the new
for the Legion team and ex-
pressed the hope that the park
would be ready this year for Legion,
high school and Midland Empire
baseball during the summer
and for high school football in the
fall.
Chairman Wilson stated that the
lodge is helping the park
plan and that Gene Weber said the
entire proceeds from the Eagle
dance of April 8 will be contributed
to the park fund. !
Jackson Parker discussed baseball
games for the coming summer, listed
he teams composing the Midland
Empire league and explained how !
eague expenses are met. Several !
games could be played here with
cams from Wyoming and elsewhere
IS benefits for the Laurel park /,
:
Supt. Fred Graft of the Laurel !
public schools outlined the plans of
7 for use of the park. !
Jack Parker, Sr., finance chair q
nan of the city council, stated that l
he athletic field must be se~lf-sus-
and that the city will assist {
wherever possible. He said the park
will have to be of clear title before ]
t a be accepted by the city.
Paul Weld gave a resume of the
expressions and the previous efforts,
when coordinated would put
he program over. He concluded bv /
aging that he hoped the present |
would be sufficient for all g
leeds of the park and that further t
fforts of this nature would not be
lecessary. I
1t was announced that a joint r
Meeting of representatives of the t
ark board and the Laurel Saddle a
Tub would be held to discuss the il
&c h1onnhorr q