INTRODUCTION 



There are ten separate park governments within the City 

 of Chicago, nine of which are independent taxing authorities. 

 Moreover, there is a general statute under which additional park 

 governments may be established. The existing park boards now 

 expend approximately six million dollars annually. While the 

 public has appreciated the excellent park facilities which have 

 been made available, it has known comparatively little as to the 

 organization and business methods of the park boards. 



The Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency was organized to 

 furnish the public with information regarding public revenues 

 and expenditures and to assist public officials in securing better 

 methods of administering public affairs in Chicago. The Bureau, 

 therefore, in the fall of 1910 sought the co-operation of the South, 

 West Chicago, and Lincoln Park Boards, respectively, for the 

 purpose of making a study of their organizations and methods 

 of administration. 



On August 15, 1910, the South Park Board formally ex- 

 tended to the Bureau "an invitation to examine the South Park 

 Commissioners' system and methods of business." The Bureau 

 was apprised of the Board's action in a letter from the President, 

 Henry G. Foreman, dated August 20, 1910. 



The West Chicago Park Board took similar action September 

 6, 1910, of which fact the Bureau was apprised in a letter from 

 the Secretary, George A. Mugler, dated September 8, 1910. 



Also, Francis T. Simmons, President of the Lincoln Park 

 Board, wrote a letter to the Bureau September 26, 1910, in 

 which he offered facilities for making an audit "as well as a 

 thorough inquiry into the methods of the Lincoln Park Board 

 with special reference toward its economic side." 



Since receipt of the above mentioned communications, the 

 Bureau has conducted an extensive inquiry into various phases 

 of the park problem in Chicago. It should be noted, however, 

 that the inquiry did not include a study of the expenditures 



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