The Park Governments of Chicago 25 



this report ways are shown how, pending unification, the sepa- 

 rate Park Boards may effect savings and bring about increased 

 efficiency. The unnecessary use of automobiles and the excessive 

 cost of poHce service constitute two of the most conspicuous 

 examples of waste. 



Automobiles owned by the three Park Boards at the close 

 of the fiscal year 1910 represented an original cost of $50,710. 

 The expense of maintenance and operation for the year 1910 was 

 $56,901, apportioned among the three Boards as follows: South 

 Park, $30,848; West Park, $16,484; Lincoln Park, $9,569. Wher- 

 ever automobiles are purchased and maintained at public expense 

 there is a tendency to use them more than public business de- 

 mands. A study of the situation indicates that the park auto- 

 mobiles are no exception. The automobile expense to the Chicago 

 city government became so excessive that all city-owned ma- 

 chines were sold, except five for the use of the fire and police 

 departments and the Special Park Commission. Automobile 

 service has since been obtained by all city departments on requisi- 

 tion through the purchasing agent. The total cost of such service 

 to the entire city government during 1910 was only $8,195, as 

 against a cost to the three Park Boards during the same period of 

 owning and operating their machines of $56,901. The Bureau 

 believes that reductions might be made in the number of machines 

 owned and of chauffeurs employed by the Park Boards so 

 as to effect a present salvage of approximately $8,000, and an 

 annual saving in cost of maintenance and operation of $22,000, 

 without impairing in any degree the efficiency of park work. To 

 prevent the misuse of public automobiles, service records should 

 be kept showing the necessity for use. Another method of keep- 

 ing down expense would be to paint all machines owned by the 

 Park Boards a distinctive color, with the name of the Board in 

 large letters on both sides of each machine. 



The cost of park police service has been increasing at a 

 rapid rate in recent years. The number of men on the police 

 payrolls is larger than the requirements of the service call for. 

 There is much needless duplication of work on the part of park 

 and city policemen, especially in boulevard duty. Greater effi- 

 ciency might be had at smaller cost by supplying some of the 



