The Park Governments of Chicago 85 



be carried to its logical and practicable conclusion by dispensing 

 with the services of the general building foreman and ten building 

 foremen. They are unnecessary and their dismissal would save 

 $11,850 annually. 



The policing of the small parks is open to the same criticism 

 as to independent authority and the resulting friction. Ofificers 

 are assigned to the small parks by the general superintendent, 

 regardless of their fitness for the peculiar responsibilities found 

 there, and they are wholly independent of the general direc- 

 tor and his local directors. Instances are reported where inefh- 

 cient officers have been intimidated and their authority ignored 

 by young roughs ; also, instances where immorality has resulted 

 from a failure to properly patrol the grounds, and others of 

 absence from duty, but no action has been taken upon reports 

 made to the general superintendent. It is suggested that the 

 general director of fieldhouses and playgrounds should have the 

 authority to designate the officers' posts and prescribe the special 

 regulations to be enforced by the police. Responsibility for the 

 proper conduct of the small park activities rests upon him, and 

 his requests for the transfer of undesirable or incompetent offi- 

 cials should be honored upon a showing of fact. 



WEST CHICAGO PARK COMMISSIONERS 



The West Park Board operates three small parks, each 

 equipped with fieldhouse, playground, and swimming pool ; also a 

 playground and swimming pool in Douglas Park. Each of the 

 four plants is operated independently, under managers appointed 

 by the commissioners. There is no central direction of the activi- 

 ties, the success of each park depending upon the individual 

 capabilities of the managers. The plan of operation is com- 

 mendable, however, in that each manager has control of all the 

 park facilities, including care of buildings and policing. 



This Board is paying a monthly rental of $4 each for three 

 pianos in each of the three small parks, and also one each in 

 Garfield and Douglas Parks. The suggestion is made that it 

 would be better economy to buy pianos for these parks. The 

 rental now paid would in three years buy as many new instru- 



