178 Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency 



of one of the commissioners, page 154). The building 

 was recently completed at a cost of $173,418. It is larger 

 than necessary and contains an excessive amount of space 

 for architectural treatment only. 



2. The old building, although somewhat small, was 

 well constructed and artistic. It could have been doubled 

 in size so as to afford ample facilities and still conserve 

 the artistic architectural features at a cost of only $28,408. 

 Had this been done, the Board would have avoided an 

 expenditure of approximately $145,000. 



3. Even if the South Park government were to be 

 continued independently, there still w^as no need fbr 

 so large and expensive a building. Moreover, in view 

 of the growing sentiment for consolidation of the park 

 governments, the Bureau submits that the action of 

 the South Park Board in erecting so costly a structure, not 

 centrally located and not well adapted to other purposes, 

 was ill advised. The Bureau suggests that no more build- 

 ings of this character be erected by any of the Park 

 Boards. 



Insurance of Park Structures. 



1. The South Park Board provides its own insurance 

 by maintaining a reserve fund, and for this the Board 

 is to be commended. The reserve now amounts to ap- 

 proximately $300,000. If a fund of only $100,000 were 

 maintained, with one exception it would still be adequate 

 protection against the damage which might be done by any 

 single fire. The exception noted is the group of build- 

 ings comprising the stables, power plants and shops, 

 which constitute a "one fire" risk of over $200,000. If 

 that portion of the fund in excess of $100,000 should 

 be needed for other purposes it might be so used without 

 diminishing the insurance protection, provided an under- 

 writers' policy were secured on the group of buildings 

 above mentioned. The interest on a $100,000 fund would 

 more than suffice to pay the premium on such a policy. 



