WIiNNETEA T ALK Published weekly by Lloyd Hollister, Inc., 564 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka, Illinois. Entered as the post office at Winnetka, Illinois, under the Act of March 3, 1879. March 8, 1912, at Subscription id gos. 90 a year. VOL. XVII NO. 19 WINNETKA, ILLINOIS, JULY 14, 1928 PRICE FIVE CENTS STOP SKOKIE FLOODS, TALK READER PLEADS Deplores Condition Which Brings Recurrent Inundation of Playfield Environs The recurrent flooding of the Skokie Valley region, and particularly that portion which comprises Winnetka's public play place--the Skokie Play- field golf course, has prompted the following pertinent communication di- rected to WINNETKA TALK this week by Arthur S. Lytton, 1460 Tower road. "Isn't it about time something were done to remedy the wasteful and un- savory condition of the Skokie, and if so, whose job is it?" That's the point blank question Mr. Lytton puts to the public of Winnetka and the north shore. His letter to WINNETKA TALK reads: Whose Job Is It? Isn't it about time something were done to remedy the wasteful and un- savory condition of the Skokie, and if so, whose job is it? The Winnetka Park district has worked hard and effectively to develop the Playfield golf course and everyone who has seen or played it has com- mented on the results of those efforts. On each Sunday and holiday, some four or five hundred "fans" take recreation and enjoyment on the course, and incidentally, the Park Dis- trict receives large sums in daily greens fees which are used to further the work of development. To see this source of recreation out of commission and this source of rev- enue halted in the heart of the season, by a cause which can be eliminated, certainly gives rise to wonder, if no more. Counteracts Abatement What of a large measure of the diligent efforts and the expenditure of funds in the mosquito abatement work, if, after hard rains, ditches and drains fill up to the non-functioning stage, stagnant pools form and stand, and every manner of mosquito breeder is again put to work? What of the foul air and odor ema- nating from slowly receding water of the valley? We may point with suburban disdain to polluted air of the city, including the fruitful aroma from the stock-vards, but had we not best glance in the mirror first? Lake county encountered the same rain-fall, and parts of the Highland Park Community Golf course (also in the Valley) were under water for a few hours, but within one day the drainage system had functioned so that heavy equipment could be used on fairways, etc., to keep things in shape. Just how long it will be before we can do likewise, remains to be seen. True, we are receiving the brunt of Lake county's drainage and it has increased our burden, but after all, that is the natural course of the flow, and what Lake has done, Cook county can and should do. Suggests "Control" Plan Perhaps, for good reasons, our problem should not be handled by the same means adopted by the adjoining county, and perhaps a series of la- goons, and dams, whereby to control the water, as has been suggested, would" Whatever the Robert F. Doepel New President of Local Rotary Club Robert F. Doepel, 796 Center street, world war veteran and former football star at the University of Illinois in the days of "Patsy" Clark, this week officially assumed the presidency of the Winnetka Ro- tary club. Mr. Doepel, who is as- sociated with the Braun Brothers Oil company of Win- netka, Wilmette and Highland Park, succeeds Vic J. Killian as chief executive of the lo- cal Rotarians. Doepel, a resident of Win- netka for five or six years, has been particularly active in boys' work in connection with Community House. He is a member of the board of directors of the Winnetka Chamber of Commerce and a member of Winnetka Post, No. 10, of the American Legion. He was on the staff of counselors at "Chief" Davies' Lake Hamlin boys' camp this season and is a leader in Winnetka Boy Scout activi- ty While the Rotary club election takes place in April, the new officers are not installed until the first club meeting in July, following the annual convention of Rotary International in June. Edward A. Anderson, 331 Walnut avenue, well known Winnetka building contractor, has been chosen vice-presi- dent of the Rotary club for the current fiscal year. Child Slightly Injured When Automobiles Crash Ruth Ann Doud, four year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Doud, 202 Vine avenus, Highland Park, was cut about the head when the sedan in which she was riding with her par- ents was struck by a touring car driven by Jack Woodhead, 1118 Greenleaf avenue, Wilmette, at the intersection of Washington and Vernon avenues in Glencoe last Saturday evening. The little girl was not seriously hurt. She was taken home by her mother. Both cars were damaged considerably. Robert F. Doepel Mr. GUEST PREACHER HERE The Rev. Joseph Taylor will preach the sermon at the Christian Fellow- ship church in the parish house on Oak street Sunday evening. His sub- ject will be, "Finding Our Place in the Church and in the World." answer, it can and should be found. The repetition of floods, year after year, is but a confession of weakness. This is not the problem of Winnetka. or any other single village or district. Ditches and drains, either isolated or in series, offer no relief unless they have an outlet. The root of the evil is at and below Willow street. It is a job for Cook county and the Sanitary district. Is there not sufficient public spirit, interest and pride to induce some action, or is there a good reason to preclude such action? HEAT JAMS BEACHES All Attendance Records Shattered as Week-end Torrid Spell Brings Rush of Bathers to Lake Waters The excessive heat of last Satur- day and Sunday caused thousands of north shore residents to seek relief at the beaches. Attendance records were broken in several instances. The total attendance at the Win- netka beaches on Saturday and Sun- day approached the 4,000 mark. The Maple avenue beach reported about 1,200 for each day. At the Elder Lane beach the attendance was about 800 on Saturday and 700 on Sunday. At the Wilmette beach the attend- ance jumped from 434 on Thursday and 861 on Friday to 2,008 on Satur- day when the heat wave struck. Sun- day's registered attendance was 2,526, the largest in the history of the beach. This number does not include those who did not use the lockers and other beach facilities. There was an esti- mated attendance of 3,000 at the Wil- mette beach on Sunday alone. Glencoe's beach took care of about 1,000 residents on each of the two days, and this approached a new beach attendance record for the village. At Kenilworth between 400 and 500 peo- ple sought relief in the lake on Sat- urday and again on Sunday. Persons patronizing the Kenilworth beach found it necessary to park their cars a considerable distance west of Sheri- dan road because of the crowded con- ditions near the beach. Avoid Accidents There were no accidents or fatali- ties at any of the regular north shore beaches, but a man was drowned near Scott's pier, a private pier in Winnet- ka, and another man suffered the same fate at the water-filled gravel pit at Ridge road and Park place, Wilmette. Stories of the drownings are carried elsewhere in this issue. TO VISIT GARDENS Friday, July 20, the Wilmette Gar- den club will visit a group of Win- netka gardens. I 0 come right to the point--we do the right kind of printing! LrLoyD HOLLISTER INC. WINNETKA 2000 WINNETKANS BOOST 1933 WORLD'S FAIR Local Chamber of Commerce For- mulates Campaign; Business Folk Plan an Outing Winnetka Day and the Chicago World's Fair of 1933 were the two chief topics of discussion at the Chamber of Commerce meeting last Monday evening in the Community House. The Chamber decided upon definite steps to boost the World's Fair by raising the five dollar pledges for the celebration. R. H. Schell is chairman of the committee, and he is being as- sisted by Earl Weinstock. The money raised in this way, Mr. Schell pointed out, is not in the form of a donation, but is an investment for which there is a return. The five dollar books will be good for ten admissions to the fair. A similar canvass in Chicago and in other suburban villages be- sides Winnetka will bring in a large amount of money which will draw in- terest and create an additional fund for the fair. Seek Co-operation Alfred Herrman, Arthur Laser, and Sanborn Hale, cashiers of the three Winnetka banks, are depositors for the World's Fair fund in Winnetka. In addition to the canvass of the busi- ness section, it is the plan of Mr. Schell and his boosters' committee to solicit the aid of other civic organiza- tions to reach the residential sections. Decide on Picnic With regard to Winnetka Day, the Chamber of Commerce decided to drop the village-wide celebration this year, and to hold instead an all day outing and picnic for members of the Chamber, their families, and their em- ployees. All stores in Winnetka will be closed on that day and the picnic will be held at Gage's lake, west of Waukegan, or at one of the lakes near there, according to present plans. No definite date for the picnic has been set but it will probably be held sometime during the latter part of August. Robert Doepel is chairman of the committee for Winnetka Day. Races, swimming, ball games, horse- shoe matches, dancing and other en- tertaining features will be on the pro- gram, according to Mr. Doepel. Skokie Playfield Course in Fine Shape for Play The Skokie Playfield golf course is now in good condition for playing, according to Walter Stelzel, golf pro- fessional at the playfield. Golfers were seen using the course early this week. Excessive rain at the beginning of the month and during the latter part of June put the playfield under water and made playing impossible for some time. Several matches had to be postponed. TO JOIN FAMILY Alfred Allen, secretary of The Had- ley Correspondence School for the Blind, left the village yesterday to join his family, who have been in Canada for the past month. They will return some time in August.