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 1894, 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 EXAMIJTED. 



By early Sep'tember 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." 



