36 FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 
and speculators on the chase toward securing the needed ac- 
quirements first. There never was a suggestion, or a 
thought, which I have ever heard expressed, that favorable 
action on that resolution should or would have the effect of 
practically and permanently creating, in method of proce- 
dure, a close corporation in the transaction of public busi- 
ness—a method of conducting, under ordinary conditions, 
meetings of public officials, which I disfavored in July, 
1894, as I have since the location of the parks was made 
public in 1896. 
During the summer of 189+, the park project, so far as 
the commission was concerned, kept as warm as the weather. 
Two meetings a week were not exceptional. If not a meet- 
ing, a conference, or some other call to duty kept up an 
active, continuous interest. The latter part of July the 
commission rented the rooms at 800 Broad street, formerly 
occupied by Hon. Theodore Runyon—a portion of the suite 
since occupied by the present commission. 
During August the letters of suggestion and replies to re- 
quests for reports—some from foreign countries—continued 
to come in. The secretary prepared, and under direction 
of Commissioner Bramhall, chairman of the printing com- 
mittee, the board published a pamphlet on “Park Benefits” 
that had a friendly reception and extended distribution. 
PARK SITES CAREFULLY EXAMINED. 
By early September the commissioners had personally 
examined many of the possible park sites; had, in fact, 
looked over the county east of the Second Mountain quite 
generally. Some of the more desirable locations had been 
studied with care. The general plan for the park system 
was gradually taking shape. Expert advice was needed. 
Arrangements were accordingly made with five experienced 
landscape architects, who were to prepare plans and act in 
the capacity of “park making advisers” to the commission. 
In the engagement of Olmsted, Olmsted & Eliot, it was 
“with the wish and expectation that the commission obtain 
* the personal services and report of Frederick Law Olmsted,” 
