18 Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency 



electric plant of approximately $319,000. Accountants of the 

 Park Board gave this sum as the investment that would not have 

 had to be made if the Board had decided earlier to purchase from 

 the Sanitary District electric current used in the South Park 

 system. 



The site of Marquette Park was purchased in 1903 and 1904 

 at a cost of $267,733. It has been since improved at a cost of 

 $305,943. The area around this park is sparsely settled. The 

 park is little used. It is not yet needed in the neighborhood. Its 

 improvement long in advance of the need was unwise. The in- 

 terest on the bonds issued for this improvement, amounting to 

 over $12,000 a year, must therefore be characterized as a waste- 

 ful expenditure. Moreover, the improved portion of the park 

 causes a current expense for maintenance. 



Another expenditure deserving criticism was that for the 

 new administration building, erected in Washington Park at a 

 cost of $173,417. The old building could have been enlarged and 

 made serviceable at a cost of less than $30,000, thus making pos- 

 sible a saving of about $145,000. The wisdom of locating in a 

 public park such a costly and conspicuous structure for adminis- 

 trative purposes is questionable in any event. But in view of 

 the likelihood of park consolidation, after which the main admin- 

 istrative functions would be centered in the City Hall, the expen- 

 diture of so large a sum on an administrative building must be 

 regarded as clearly unwise. The public should be on the alert 

 to prevent any similar expenditures that are inconsistent with the 

 program of merging all Park Boards with the city. 



2. The West Park System. 

 The West Park system has a varied history. Political man- 

 agement, extending over several administrations, brought about 

 demoralization. A few years ago, under the presidency of Mr. 

 B. A. Eckhart, and the superintendency of Mr. Jens Jensen, there 

 was a complete reversal of policy. These two men effected revo- 

 lutionary changes in park management and wrought great im- 

 provements. Following the retirement of Mr. Eckhart as Presi- 

 dent and of Mr. Jensen as Superintendent, there has been retro- 

 gression. The dominating control at the present time is political. 



