Winnetka Local History Digital Collections

Winnetka Weekly Talk, 24 Feb 1923, p. 1

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F The Timely Record of Community Events WINNETKA WEEKLY TALK VOL. XI, NO. 30 WINNETKA, ILLINOIS, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1923 SIXTEEN PAGES PRICE FIVE CENTS COUNCIL PUSHES RAIL PROGRAM Track Depression to Be Real ity In Near Future, Officia Predicts OPEN SAFETY DRIVE Council Demands Protection at Crossings BY MARY L. LANGWORTHY (Chairman Health and Safety Com- mittee, Winnetka Village Council.) Of all subjects, that of grade cross- ings, is perhaps the most poignant in the hearts of all Winnetka people, at present. The fatal accidents that have occurred on these crossings in the last ten years have made parents afraid to allow their children to go about the village alone, and even feel a growing terror of the possibilities of danger to themselves. In view of this tension it has seemed wise to the Village Board to give to the citizens of the village some idea of what has and is being done to re- lieve this grave condition. Agitated Many Years Ever since the days of Mr. William Otis' presidency, succeeding Village councils have from time to time agi- tated the question of grade separation, either by depression or elevation, but the difficulties being very great and accidents few, the matter was not brought to a head until about four years ago, when the increasing popu- lation of the village and the largely multiplied number of automobiles with their attendent dangers made it seem necessary to bring about definite ac- tion. Consequently, negotiations were be- gun between the Northwestern rail- ~voad at. a joint committee from our Board and that of Glencoe. Engi- neers were employed by Winnetka to investigate the feasibility of track de- pression because it is largely an en- gineering problem, and when, after months of the most careful work the plan was ready in 1921, it was present- ed to the officials and engineers of the railroad for approval. So well had the plans been made that they were approved by the Northwestern and the few criticisms ironed out in sub- sequent conferences. War Defers Action During and after the war the rail- roads were financially unable to pro- ceed with any undertaking so large as this will be, but with the revival of business prosperity, it is now pos- sible to expect them to take up the plan and execute it with no great de- lay. The plan calls for a gradual de- pression of all tracks between Willow street, where the ground begins to rise, through Glencoe to the county line. This work will be done as a unit. The plan, of course, includes the Chicago, North Shore and Mil- waukee Electric road, for it is obvi- ously impossible for that road to stay on the surface or elevate its tracks if the Northwestern is depressed. Depression Most Feasible Depression rather than elevation was decided upon because it does away with the terrible danger of au- tomobile collisions in the subway crossings under the tracks. This de- cision has necessarily delayed the ne- gotiations because of the greater dif- ficulties and expense of depression, but it will so obviously make for greater safety in the village, for all time, that the wisdom of the delay is apparent. te There is every reason to believe that this long-hoped-for improvement will be accomplished in the near future and the conscientions and painstaking work of preparation of the last few years when it must have seemed to the public very slow, will be revealed. One who is privileged to go through the files of correspondence and re- cords of conferences of this whole proceeding is deeply impressed by the volume of careful work done. Safety Promotion Campaign In the meantime the council has urged the imperative necessity of more complete safety devices and of great- er vigilance on the part of watchmen A Safety Education campaign will be inaugurated throughout the schools, while the Village Board will be grate- ful for any suggestions that will help in solving the problem of our pres- ent situation. PA" DF OPENS ASONIC FETE Corner Stone of Temple Today Every detail has been carefully ar- ranged for the great Masonic Corner Stone laying ceremony and festivity in Winnetka today. Activities will begin with an elabor- ate street procession at 2 o'clock when the line of march will form at the Horace Mann school and proceed through the business district of the village to the Temple site. Units of the procession will include police escort, band, military escort, visiting lodges and organizations Knights Templar, Royal Arch Masons. Master Masons, village administrative officials, village council members. Knights Templar escort to the Grand lodge officers, Grand lodge. Line Of March The line of march will be from the school grounds east on Elm street to the Northwestern station; thence south to Oak street, east on Qak street to Maple avanue, north on Maple street to Elm street and west on Elm street to the site of the new Masonic temple where the corner stone ceremonies will take place. Plans for the corner stone laying activities are under supervision of general chairman Miles Whitney who was also in charge of the plans for the impressive Constitutional cere- monies of the lodge last autumn. It is Mr. Whitney's firm belief that today's ceremonies will be the largest and most impressive gathering ever witnessed in the village. The corner stone placing ceremony will be performed by Grand Master Elmer E. Beach, of the Grand lodge of the state of Illinois. He will be assisted by a full line of officers from the Grand lodge. The Winnetka lodge will be represented by its master Thomas N. Wheatley and the other officers of the -Todge. "There wiil~be| several addresses by prominent mds- ons. Hundreds of visiting masons will be in the village to, witness the events of the day. These will include repre- sentations from lodges in Chicago and vicinity, Milwaukee and other neigh- boring communities. The Winnetka Masonic lodge ves- terday gave a unique social evening at the Winnetka Woman's club. Ra- dio, cards and dancing were the order of the evening. It had been thought possible to secure the services of the celebrated Isham Jones orchestra for the occasion, but that organization's contract with the College Inn inter- fered. O'Hare's Drake hotel orches- tra assumed those duties admirably and to the utmost satisfaction of the guests being accorded an enthusiastic reception. MISSION OF SEVENTY, MEN'S CLASS SUBJECT Next Sunday's lesson for the Men's Sunday morning class is on "The Mis- sion of the Seventy." There is an urge through it that is significant. The sense of the task before him emphasizes itself to the Master. He is aware that the opposition to Him must bring on a catastrophe. Both his teachings and his organization are far from ready for it. He calls seventy to be his agents and deputies and sends them forth. Yet even under this pressure he does not allow himself to be misguided into lowering his standard for his follow- ers. Even those who volunteer are shown the hazards in order to de- velop the seriousness of their purpose The work of the seventy delighted the Master's heart and must have greatly strengthened him for his coming task His resultant burst of joy gave him occasion to emphasize the great sim- plicity of his teaching. The lesson is Luke 9:51 to 10:24. The class meets in Neighborhood room of Community House at 9:30 o'clock. Rev. George C. Stewart Lenten Preacher March 1 Rev. George Craig Stewart, rector of St. Luke's Episcopal church, Evanston, and one of the most distinguished clergy- men in the middle west, will be the ILen- ten preacher at Christ Episcopal church Thursday evening, March 1. The service will be the third of a ser- ies of special Lenten services conducted by prominent clergymen. PLAYFIELD OFFICERS' SLATE IS ANNOUNCED The by-laws of the Winnetka Play- field association require that the re- port of the Nominating committee be posted ten days prior to the annual meeting. Consequently, the committee has placed in nomination the following ticket to be voted upon at the annual election : President--Charles J. Eastman, 489 Cherry street. Vice president--Howard H. Hoyt, 389 Ridge avenue. Secretary--Elmer J. Baker, Jr., 547 Hawthorn lane. Treasurer--Allen T. Weinstock, 692 Ash street. Directors--2 years: Mrs. T. G. Rock- well, 277 Chestnut street; Ernest LE. Ellis, 998 Chatfield road, and Darrill D. Craft, 848 Lincoln avenue. Directors whose terms of office have not expired are Wallace D. Rumsey F. T. Richardson, Jr., and Gilbert H. Scribner. The Nominating committee consists of the. following: S. Bowles King. chairman; Gerald Burnham, C. J Fastman, A. V. Horsman, W. E. In- gram, Paul Kreger and A. B. Mc Dougall. TUBBS RESIGNS AT NEW TRIER To Devote Time to Study At U. of C. Eston V. Tubbs, principal of New Trier township high school for the past four years. has tendered his resignation to the Board of Education of the secondary school, to be effec- tive April 1. The resignation was ac- cepted with regret when Mr. Tubbs explained that he was forced to give up his work here in order to devote all his time to post graduate work at the University of Chicago, looking toward the degree of Doctor of Phil- osophy. During Mr. Tubbs' able administra- tion New Trier high school has en- joyed an enrollment increase of ap proximately 48 per cent and the fac- ulty has been almost doubled in size. The school has also acquired 15 acres of additional campus. The school spirit, it is stated, has never been bet- ter. "The high school has enjoyed a re- markable development under Mr. Tubbs," Edward J. Phelps, president of the New Trier High School board declared this week in expressing his, regret at the principal's decision to give up his work here. "I sincerely re- gret that Mr. Tubbs has found it nec- essary to resign and I know that in this I share the sentiment of the en- tire board, faculty and pupils." START INFANT WELFARE BUDGET CAMPAIGN SOON The annual campaign to raise $6,000, representing the budget of the Infant Welfare station at the Chicago Com- mons, supported entirely by Winnet- ka citizens, is to be conducted in the village within a month, according to Mrs. Morris K. Wilson, president of the Executive committee. The $6,000 budget is realized each year by public subscription secured through the energetic solicitation of thirty women comprising the Execu- tive committee. Officers of the committee include besides Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Lawrence Howe, vice president and financial chairman; Mrs. E. B. Bartlett, treas- urer; Mrs. Allen Withers, secretary; Mrs. R. Jordan Wilson, chariman sewing committee ; Mrs. Harve Badge- row, chairman visiting committee. The sewing committee comprises a group of women who meet regularly to make baby clothes. The station at Chicago Commons is of the "A" classification, indicating that its service embraces three branches of work--pre-natal, infant and nutrition. TAX BILLS DELAYED Tax bills for Wilmette and Winnet- kd are late this year, according to Township collector Hoyt Kin. It is the hope of the collector that the bills will be in the mails by March 1. SHOW WILD LIFE FILMS TUESDAY Tickets Now on Sale at Drug Stores Films, which, because they record so accurately the habits of the ani- mals that roam the north woods, have gained the favorable notice of the National Geographical society and scientists and naturalists the country over, will be seen at Winnetka Com- munity House, Tuesday evening, Feb- ruary 27. Donald R. Dickey, well known naturalist, who "hunts" wild game in its native haunts and "shoots," not with a rifle and shot-gun. but with the all-seeing camera lense, will stop over at Community House enroute from his home in Pasedena, Cal, to the na- tional capitol where he is to lecture before tthe National Geographical so- ciety and confer with government of- ficials relative to a contemplated expedition to the Hawaiian Islands. "Game Trails of the North Woods," is the title of the remarkable films that are to be brought to Winnetka through the efforts of our townsman,. Clark Washburne, who is a close friend of Mr. Dickey and has seen the pic- tures. Photography Methods "Four methods have been used in securing these pictures," Mr. Dickey says. "First, that of 'ambush,' some: times from scent-proof 'blinds,' con- structed and camouflaged months and even years in advance. These ambush shelters are placed at some favorite 'lick,' or mineralized spring, or at some other location where the animals are accustomed to gather. Through the peep hole of such a blind I have studied the unsuspecting game at close range for days or weeks at a time, with all of the curious thrill of an eavesdropper--a witness to na- ture's secrets ; ~"Another method is: that of 'p- proach, silent and unobserved, pre- ferably by water and canoe, thus catching glimpses of undisturbed animals in their lake and river haunts. Night Pictures "The third method is 'shining' at night with 'acklight, canoe and a flash gun, the method which George Shiras III, of National Geographical fame, first gave us as pioneers back in the nineties. It is perhaps the most fascinating of all. Silent as an owl's wing, the canoe creeps with feathered strokes across a breath- less northern lake, while the eerie spot of the jacklight seeks in the gloom for the glowing eyes and form of deer or moose. "In the 'trap' or 'set' camara method ( limited to 'still' photography) the camera is set near some game 'lead,' and as the approaching animal presses a trip-thread, it automatically closes an electric contact which fires a flash synchronized with the high speed shutter of the camera. Thus the animals make their own pictures by night or day." WOMAN LEGISLATOR SPEAKS HERE MARCH 3 Mrs. Lottie Holman O'Neill, Illinois' first woman legislator, has been se- cured by the Winnetka League of Women Voters for Saturday after- noon, March 3, at 3 o'clock. She will speak at the Woman's club on her first month's experience at Spring- field. All Illinois, both ..men. .and women, have been vividly interested in the actions and reactions of their first woman representative. Winnet- ka is fortunate in getting Mrs. O'Neill while her impressions are still fresh and unjaded by the heat of a legis- lative session. Mrs. O'Neill is a resident of Down- ers Grove, a member of the League of Women Voters, and a housewife by profession. It is interesting to know that her campaign was ably sup- ported by her husband and two sons, who are enthusiastic believers in women in government. Women from all parts of the state accompanied Mrs. O'Neil to Spring- field when she took her seat in the legislature and marked that historic day with impressive ceremonies. In securing Mrs. O'Neill for a Sat- urday program, the Winnetka League has made it possible for men, as well as women, to be present. 'Miss Eliz- abeth Gemmell, President of the Win- netka League of Women Voters, will preside. DEMAND ACTION ON DEPRESSION improvement Body Stresses Need of Track Depression Without Delay COBB IS PRESIDENT Hear Reports From Com- mittees The dominant note expressed at the Village Improvement Association annual meeting Monday evening, February 19, was an insistent demand for action in regard to track depression. William A. Otis, chairman of the association's com- mittee on track depression for many years past, told of the history oi the movement, which had its origin from 18 or 20 years ago under the auspices of the association. The association is respunsible for the track depression plank in the Village Caucus platform which all candidates for Village president and Trustee have accepted in recent years. Mr. Otis described how the officials and engineers of the Chicago Northwestern road have gradually come to accept first, the theory of track depression, and then the plan suggested by the joint engin- eers of Winnetka and Glencoe for the grade separation program through these two villages. Emphasize Winnetka Need He expressed the feeling that the coun- cil was bringing all possible pressure to bear on the road and that a favorable, decision towards official acceptance of the program is expected shortly. He stated, however, that demands upon the road from other quarters such as the City of Kenosha, might defer the Win- netka program. Several speakers from the floor urged that as much emphesis as possible be placed upon the Winnetka need, in view of the terrible accidents which have recently happened here. Cobb Again President The annual election of the association resulted as follows: president; John C. Cobb, Jr., vice-president; J. D. Pierce, second vice-president. Warner H. Rob- inson, secretary; Mrs. Dudley K. French, treasurer; Mrs. H. I. Woolhiser. Board of Management and Committee Chairman were named as follows: Parkways and Vacant Lots; Mrs. Frederrick B. Thomas, Waste Disposal ; M. L. Greeley, Track Depression; Wm. A. Otis, Municipal Art; Mrs. John Ven- nema, Music; Mrs. W. A. Otis, Forestry; Dr. H. H. Hayes, Franchises and Oper- ations; W. E. Shoemaker, Membership; Frank D. Fulton, Publicity, S. Bowles King. Hear Committee Reports Mrs. Thomas, Parkways and Vacant Lots, reported the planting of additional elm trees on the library parkways and grounds. She stated that Mrs. Frank R. Greene, Mrs. C. E. Karstrom and Mrs. | A. M. Barrett had been appointed to her committee, and would be glad to receive information as to work which might be done by the committee in different E parts of the town. Mr. Greeley, waste disposal, reported that the hopes of the Association for a permanent waste disposal plant had made no progress during the past year. He expressed the opinion that the past and present method of disposal of dry . waste by dumping and filling could be only temporary in character, that they were unsightly, and that with the growth of population in this and adjoin- .' ing towns, he believed that a waste dis- posal plant, perhaps situated on the west- ern branch of the Northwestern road might be established as a paying com- mercial proposition. Mrs. Vennema, Municipal Art, report- (Continued on Page 4) Washington's Birthday and Music Programs in One Washington's birthday and Week" were observed jointly at the Sko- kie school last Thursday. All of the Skokie pupils and the fifth and sixth grades of all the Winnetka schools par- ticipated in the event. Because Wash- ington's birthday came during "Music Week," the program was of a musical nature, consisting of individual and group selections by the school children. To give added impetus to the obser- vances of Music Week three groups of Skokie pupils appeared in programs be- fore the Winnetka Woman's club. The three groups were the Boy's Glee club, the the Girl's Glee club and one of eighth grade music classes. "Music

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