The Park Governments of Chicago 103 



(a) Quality and size of coal and limitations as to heat value, 

 ash and sulphur should be definitely described. 



(b) Delivery stations should be listed. 



(c) The British Thermal Unit method of testing should be 

 adopted and coal paid for on a basis of heat value. This method 

 of testing was used in 1910 but abandoned in 1911. 



(d) Penalty for excess of fine coal should be imposed. 



(e) Bond required should be reduced from 50 to 25 per cent 

 of estimated amount of contract in order not to discourage bids 

 from small dealers. 



(f) Separate bids should be requested for the different parks 

 and for the new park extension work. 



(g) A representative of the Commissioners should be present 

 at all times when coal is being delivered on board scows. 



(h) Illinois or Indiana lump coal should be substituted for 

 Pocahontas at the propagating houses and the shipyard since the 

 equipment at those places warrants it and Pocahontas for anthracite 

 at the hot-water heating plants in Seward, Stanton and Hamlin 

 Parks. Due to the failure to use the cheaper coal last year, the 

 Lincoln Park Board lost approximately $1,500. The Bureau recom- 

 mends that when new buildings are constructed, furnaces of a 

 smokeless type be installed, in which Illinois or Indiana coal can 

 be burned without creating a smoke nuisance. 



Since the Bureau's inquiry into the subject of coal was completed, 

 a copy of the new specifications has been received, under which contracts 

 for 1911-12 have been let by the Lincoln Park Board. While some im- 

 provement is shown over the 1910-11 specifications, they, too, are inferior 

 to the 1909-10 specifications. 



Small Parks and Playgrounds. 



1. The establishment of a system of small parks and 

 playgrounds throughout the city, begun by the Special 

 Park Commission of the City Government, has been con- 

 tinued by the independent Park Boards. The South Park 

 Board is deserving of special credit for its work in this 

 direction. The West and Lincoln Park Boards have also 

 established a number of small parks and playgrounds. 



2. The fieldhouses, playgrounds, and swimming pools 

 located on the three sides of the city respectively are dis- 

 proportionate in number to both the child and adult popu- 

 lation thereof. Consolidation of the park districts should 

 operate to secure a more equitable distribution of these 

 facilities throughout the city. 



3. Until two years ago there was confusion of author- 

 ity in the fieldhouses of the South Park Board which 

 resulted in inefficiency and waste. This has been reme- 



