138 Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency 



the frequent fluctuations in price, it is suggested that a 

 saving may be effected in all three park systems by adopt- 

 ing the method of letting short term contracts on uniform 

 specifications. Strict inspection is necessary to insure 

 proper weight and quality. The inspection of deliveries 

 to the West Park Board was inadequate. Efficient super- 

 vision is also necessary in feeding. 



6. The West Park stables have had a larger force of 

 men to care for 71 horses than the South Parks to care 

 for 115 or the Lincoln Parks to care for 85 horses. It 

 is suggested that the number of stablemen at the West 

 Parks might be reduced to 8 men without impairing the 

 service. This would eflfect a further saving of nearly 

 $4,000 per year. 



7. A study of the horse service indicates that the num- 

 ber of horses maintained by the West Parks more nearly 

 conforms to the demands than the number of horses kept 

 by the other two Boards and that the number of horses 

 maintained by the latter might profitably be reduced. 



8. A more exact distribution of the cost of horse ser- 

 vice to the other park activities is made at the South Park 

 than at either of the others and is recommended for adop- 

 tion by them. 



9. Except for a lack of attention to fire prevention, the 

 stables and rolling-stock of all three of the systems ap- 

 pear to be kept in good repair and the horses well cared 

 for. 



10. During the winter months the Park Boards have 

 comparatively little need for horse service and the large 

 expense incurred in feeding and caring for the horses dur- 

 ing that period is largely unproductive. If the park gov- 

 ernments were consolidated with the city government 

 many thousands of dollars might be saved the tax payers 

 each winter by using these surplus horses to remove snow 

 from streets under jurisdiction of the city and also to re- 

 move ashes. 



