PARK AND CEMETERY. 
In 1893 the assessed value of the land and build- 
ings within the limits of influence was $936,100.00; 
inside of five years their value had increased to 
$1,661,600.00 making a total net gain of $725,- 
500.00. 
The taxes from the increased valuation nearly 
pay for the interest and sinking fund. What better 
argument can any community desire when objec- 
tion is raised that so much taxable property will be 
lost, thereby endeavoring to stop all procres-^ fcr 
the needy community. 
Unlike Charlesbank in Boston there is no 
benevolent organization or heigenic association in- 
terested in its control, it being a purely municipal 
affair, under the control of the park commission. 
The cost of maintenance including salaries is about 
$6,300.00 per year. 
Herbert J. Kellaivay. 
GR.WKI. PO.WGROUND .\ND FIKI.D ItOUSE. 
PUBLIC PLAY GROUNDS.* 
All young and rapidly growing cities, like our 
own, provide their inhabitants with municipal prob- 
lems and weighty responsibilities, which positively 
clamor, to those who have ears to hear, for atten- 
tion, improvement or reform! 
Accordingly though our citizens are sometimes 
undeniably slow in practical response to the appeals 
of a new movement, yet it must always be remem- 
bered that philanthropic societies, benevolent ob- 
jects and altruistic schemes fairly fill the field, and 
he must be indeed prodigal of time, strength and 
money who denies none and satisfies all! 
Age and a larger accumulation of wealth, in the 
older cities, count for much; and we cannot hope, 
as yet, to vie with their well established and bene- 
ficent enterprises, which, oftentimes, makes our 
hampered efforts, in similar directions, by compari- 
son, seem paltry in their insufficiency. 
But to balance this, the conditions which we 
have to meet here, are less involved; and we can 
use such opportunities as are vouchsafed us for do- 
ing good with as high spirits, strong hopes and ten- 
der hearts as though the accumulated wisdom and 
wealth of ages were at our disposal. The playground 
movement in Minneapolis is yet in its infancy, but 
any one who visited the two places set apart for 
this purpose last summer, or the school grounds, 
*A paper read before Woman's Council of Minneapolis, by Mrs. 
Florence Barton Coring. 
on the east side, the previous year, must have rec- 
ognized the need of such spots, and the benefit con- 
ferred by them, notwithstanding their crudity. 
And, in this connection, allow me to remind 
those, who are riot yet fully informed regarding the 
existing local conditions, that with the limited 
means likely to be at our command for some years 
to come, a perplexing problem will face the mana- 
gers of this enterprise each spring. It caused much 
deliberation last season; it is already breeding 
thought this season, and it will continue to present 
a sphinx-like appearance to our troubled minds 
until we possess an assured and generous income 
which will satisfy all requirements and solve the 
present puzzle. 
Plainly, is it best to have one model play ground, 
with gymnasia, kindergarten tents, special teachers 
and perhaps manual training for the older boys, or 
distribute our scanty funds over a more extensive, 
if less impressive field? Weighty arguments can 
be adduced supporting either side of this question, 
as can be realized by a moment’s thought. As for 
myself, I have been, and am, in sympathy with the 
larger, more comprehensive policy. As one road 
to this conclusion, let us ponder a second on the 
factso frequently and ably presented (in which there 
is no division of opinion, ) the principle that during 
school vacation, with no other obvious and conven- 
ient outlet for surplus energy, mischief and crim- 
inality aniong juveniles increase with alarming ra 
