New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-02
REMOT4L OF TIE RESERTOIR.

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN I. P. MORTON
REASONS WHY THE HIDEOUs EGYPTIAN MAJ
soLEUM N RESERVOIR SQUARE SHOULD BE
TAKEN DOWN.
WASHINGTON, D. c., March 81. 1870.
Dr. I. I. HAYES, Chairman Committee on Cites Ae'r-
York assembly, Albany, n. !.
DEAR SIR: As l find 1t impossible to appear per-
sonally before your COMMITTEE l desire 10 pre-
sent in few words reasons for reporting
favorably the bill, pending before your Committee
requiring the Commissioner of Public Works to re-
move the useless reservoir at Forty econd-st and
Ffth-ave and to add the land covered by it to the
area Of Reservoir Park.
The reasons for retaining the full area Of every
breathing space now existing in the city, and Tor
adding 10 them whenever opportunity offers. were
fully presented TO the public a year ago, when the
attempt was made TO seize a portion Of Washington
Square for armory purposes. This attempt was de
featod by the indignation Of the Of the peo
pie and the prompt action Of the Legislature. IN
which Won were an active participant, in recog-
milton and execution II puhllc sentiment on the
subject. Eminent PHYSICIANS, the Board OF
demonstrated by statistics the necessity not
only of retaining undlmlnlshed. but OF promptly
increasing the area Of our parks and open spaces
as an efficient means of diminishing th, excessive
death-rate of this city. especially among young
children. Taxpayers pointed out The Dement'S
winch the civ hid received financially from lut
public parks IN the increased value of property III
their nelghboIhOod. and ITS ability TO assume q
greater proportion IN the payment Of taxes.
The discussion OF the subject is still fresh IN the
pubic mind and 10 j. unnecessary 10 reCur 10 IL
furtner than 10 say thai ali tie reasons winch e2-
listed against the project of placing nm aTmoTy in
Washington square apply, with equal or = ateT
force Iu favor If the removal ot the enormous and
useless mass Of bricks and mortar. I'D tie form or a
hldeOus Egyptian mausOeum, which OOstruct, and
disGgures the park between Fifth and sixth
ayes. and FoTtelh and FOuy-second-stS
and Is q blemIsh upon the beauty Ot Fifth
ave- II L. certainly less Objectionable 10 cucumber
lpuhIepark with a handsome building which Is used
and needed for the storage of arms and munitions
OF war than is 10 retain IN public PARK build
Prison which is no longer needed Ior the storage Of
water.
The emphatic opinion Of the eminent engineer
who occupies the position of Commissioner OF Pub
Hv Works, thar the reservoir Is 10 longer OF any
value 10 the CrotOn Water Department, should be
decisive upon this subject, unless the opinion OF
some equally competent authority, based upon
adequate grounds, Is produced II favor OF
ITS utility. In the absence OF any opinion
Of the kind, IL Is 10 be hoped that
the Legislature Will act favOrabiy and
promptly on MIR. Namum's bill, ana thus emulate
the " ise fOrethO OF their predecessors which,
in l~01. empowered ltouverneur Morris and his as
SOCRATES to Law out the streets, roads and pubic
squares OF such ample width they may deem sum
Gent 10 secure z free and abundant circulation OF
ar" Very respectfully yours L. T. MORTON.