New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-11-01
No. q EAST TWENTY SECOND ST,
~''' ~. ~. n.t .{n 1901
HOW TO RIDDEN THE PARK.

A LETTER FROM COMMISSIONER LANE-llOW HE
SERVICES OF MEssRs. oLMsrED AND VAUX MAY
BE USED.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
SIR: Since we agree in opinion in regard to
be proper measures to be taken in the Park Depart
mcnt aud intend 10 support them by my vote trust
van Will hermit me TO define precisely what ought to be
dome Mr. Olmsted now holds the Office OF Consulting
Landscape Architect without salary. Itisnot necessary
10 appoint him. but simply TO put the work under his
charge at a compensation to be aTeel on am wholly
opposed TO attempts made TO remove him. MT NauX'
who now holds position is competent, although sec
and TO Mr. Oilsted lie might he associated with him. or
appointed Superintendent OF Parks. We would thus
have the benefit Of his services Mr. Jones should be
moved / see no advantage at all IN Keeping III once a
man so wholly incompetent What l AN decidedly op-
posed to is the plan taxing advantage Of this discus
sion 70 remove DR. Olmsted or to remove Mr. dunckwiH;
for these losses the gain Of Mr. NauI would be no com
peusation for Mr. Olmstcd far his superior and Mr.
MunckSitz is his equal al least.
The point you make against this plan Is that the Office
NJ Superintendent of Parks is not worthy OF Mr. NduX.
On the contrary the oce that has been degraded
by my associates by the appointment OF Mr. Jones MI
Omsted Wa elected Superintendent October IL, 1897,
and held the office for two years, and Mr. Andrew II.
Green performed the same duties, under resolution OF
the Board while be Controller OF Parks. Mr..
Munckwitz been Superintendent moro than Nv"
Il terms.
in following either OF these gentlemen The orgauia-
ton Of the office well the salary, from $500 10
So 600 shows It's dignity The superintendent has IN
der him five 81 per day who oversee the Ia
borers and the work. and tue proper province OF the
Is Dot foreman, hut TO design the
gnr and sustain the dsci plue. IL Is necessary to
store tue to its former dignity aud would be OF
the greatest advantage to have II hed by one Of hgh
professional Attachments.
In respect the desire iIpuc 10 m" to erect a
skate house as a permanent building II 20" Park, you
have been imposed Tie building proposed D. one
framed in sections be pat up and taken down each
season Nor II u true that IN critical period voted 10
remove Mr. Olmsted Under the pressure ~ diminished
apUrOprigtiOns which lcit money for s WorE or ms
salary Mr.. Olmstcd made Consulting Landscape
Architect without salary This left him IN office and
ready bc called Dy the Board soon as they had
money The work. As appropriations were
increased in January following brought the matter for
ward with four successive motions, To PM the work M
his charge. each Gaze voted down 10y ny
associates. /; was not nnul The pubAc Interest was
aroused subject by your articles That have
ceeded IL getting the Board u vote the measure.
The concern nave now is that no underuandcd use
should be made Of II to remove M. On-tcd or hr.
Muuckgltz but that the work should 60 forward under
the care the best have frequently heretofore
unsuccesSfuly attempted 20 reach the result BY
PROPOSING associates TO M al The superior posi-
tpns ia tie Department by men Of high professional
character aud education, who had political alIHoCs
aud should be selected for their qualifications lone,
and this is the point snail insist upon. Respectfully,
SMITH J.. LANE, Commissioner ID. l.. l..
NelC York, October 81. 1891.