The Park Governments of Chicago 95 



cream soda is 10 cents and in the South Parks 5 cents. Sand- 

 wiches and coffee are each 5 cents. It is apparent, however, that 

 the losses are not caused by the low prices but by the loose 

 methods of management. 



The manager of each lunch room is practically in independ- 

 ent control thereof. These women buy their own food supplies, 

 and approve the monthly bills presented by dealers. There is no 

 check to determine whether proper prices are charged. Vege- 

 tables, butter, eggs and meat are usually purchased with cash, 

 the manager turning in receipted bills therefor in lieu of cash 

 when settling with the collector from the park offices. Not only 

 are the economies possible by centralized purchasing lost in this 

 way, but the widest latitude is afforded for errors and other 

 irregularities — including collusion with dealers. Collections from 

 the managers of amounts received are made irregularly. Prior 

 to April, 1911, the receipts were not collected and the respective 

 managers themselves brought the cash to the central office. There 

 is no check whatever as to the correctness of the amounts turned 

 over. At Douglas Park the manager keeps a personal record of 

 supplies received, but the manager of the Garfield Park lunch 

 rooms keeps no books. The only inventories reported are at the 

 end of the season. Sales tickets are not made out for customers' 

 orders; the waitress merely collects the amount according to the 

 menu card, and hands it to the manager. 



Provision is made at Garfield Park for supplying picnic 

 parties with utensils for coffee, tea, milk, lemonade, etc., at the 

 same prices obtaining in the South Parks, but no such provision 

 is made at Douglas Park. 



LINCOLN PARK COMMISSIONERS 



In January, 1904, bids were asked for the restaurant conces- 

 sion in Lincoln Park for three to five years. Six bids were 

 received, the highest being from Paul Brauer, a State Street 

 restaurant man, who offered $11,000 a year for the concession. 

 He was given a five year contract at that rate, extending to 

 May 1, 1909. In June, 1908, without public advertisement or 

 soliciting of bids, a new lease was granted Mr. Brauer for another 



