Make the Streetcars Pay for the Parks

Then will in due time be needed in the city of Seattle one or more public parks. The modes of providing for the opening and care of these breathing places of large cities are numerous. Now that we have a new council—and there will doubtless be discussions of this and other public matters, including in particular the granting of one or more franchises to street railroad corporations—it is well to consider the benefits which such companies should render the city for the franchises granted. We are reminded of this from noting the death recently of ex-Governor Swann of Maryland. To him is due the plan adopted by the city of Baltimore, of granting franchises to street railways, which resulted in making the companies pay for the city's great park. Under the system of that city a tax of one-fifth the gross receipts of the street railways is levied for park purposes, and, we believe, made part of the franchises. Of course, the public pay for the park, but the method of doing so is indirect, and not felt at all. Something of this character attached to franchises granted by the city of Seattle will be found of vast benefit as the city grows, and do honor to those who adopt it.