174 Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency 



Park Purposes" shows that there is a wide variance in the 

 amount of taxes available for park purposes on the three sides, 

 and that this variance is not at all in proportion to either the 

 park acreage or the population. 



The attempts to so organize the several park districts as to 

 keep them out of politics have been futile, especially in the 

 West Park District. Making the West and Lincoln Park Poards 

 appointive by the governor has only resulted in a different brand 

 of politics — that incident to state interests and factions and less 

 susceptible of local control. The condition should be faced that 

 politics will enter to some extent into any kind of a park or- 

 ganization. This being true, it is submitted that the plan of or- 

 ganization should be such as to be most susceptible of autonomy 

 and local control. It is easier to control one district than ten. 

 The nucleus of a central park organization under the direction 

 of the city government already exists in the special park com- 

 mission. Chart G in the Appendix shows a suggested plan of 

 organization for a consolidated park government. 



Aside from increased efficiency, consolidation would make 

 possible a large saving in operating costs. The park police 

 would be merged in the city police department, with conse- 

 quent elimination of duplication of work and a large reduction in 

 the number required. The mechanical and electrical departments 

 of the parks might be consolidated with other city departments, and 

 thus eliminate much overhead expense. For example : The 

 park repair shops might be brought within the circle of possible 

 consolidation of all city repair shops, which would undoubtedly 

 mean much lower costs; the electrical activities, including light- 

 ing of parks, boulevards, and buildings, might be merged in 

 the city department of electricity ; and the road building and 

 road repair forces united with the City Board of Local Improve- 

 ments and Bureau of Streets. The present city purchasing agent 

 might easily serve all parks ; the corporation counsel's office 

 might do the work now done by the several park attorneys ; 

 the city architect and engineering bureau might perform much 

 of the park work appropriate to their offices ; all funds might be 

 kept by the city treasurer and cleared through the hands of the 



