New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-17
THE NT1G1P1 OBSERVATION.

There is some question as to the powers OF the
Niagara Falls Commission. From one point
of view it would seem that this body was crb-
ated to do all that should be done now. AT all
events, while tho duties OF the Commission,
whatever those duties are held to be, are as
vet not performed, it is in order to discuss the
whole question in broad way until ut last
adequate power is delegated to the proper men
TO do the best thing possible. The attempt to
preserve such property as Niagara-a pos
session of the people, whose value no one
thinks of estimating in dollars and cents-re-
oures lust the kind of effort which republics
habitually neglect to put forth. 1t has taken
years of appeal from individuals to arouse the
authorities to do anything In the matter. But
n beginning has been formally made at last, and
by this act the State has assumed the RESPONSE
bility of preventing the destruction of an OBJ
iect of surprising natural beauty and grand
eur. II can afford TO do this in the best way
possibe, for the particular needs Of the people.
II cannot afford TO do it in the second best way
or in any other way.
Now the plan of removing nuisanccs little
further away from the cataract than they now
are is not the best way. Even If it is proposed
ultimately 10 acquire the brow of the cliti along
the river to the whirlpool it is not prudent to
take the least possible surface demanded now in
order to gain vantlgc ground for greater ac-
quisitions The park will make adjacent land
more valuable, so that in few years the ex-
pense would be serious for land which now is
worth but a trihe. This is proved by the ex-
perence of almost every city in the United
States which has public park. They have al
10, los LAM hon nppIpI they
have always found subsequent purchases
enormously expensive. But the State should
not play fast and loose with a work like this.
II ought TO he able now 20 define what it wants
and all it wants. Certainly it wants drive, anu
roadway half a mile long Is not drive.
A glance Mt the map will suggest to any one the
circuit, road about the whirlpool rs proposed by
Mr.. Yaux, while AN examination of the ground
will impress any one with sense OF its de-
sirablcness. 1t Is not only that taking in the
whirlpool makes "a comprehensive unit OF the
whole, nor because at this terminating point
there is such n combination of striking feat
mes. But the river justlfics the drive CON
stantly through its entire length. The interest
of the river is increasing and emphatic, and
yet it never is mOnOtOnOus.
When the reservation was first suggested,
and no general feeling on the subject had been
aroused, the promoters of the project could not
act too cautiously. IL Messrs. Olmsted and
Gardner had asked for more, they would have
secured nothing. But now, when public in
tcrcst is at high tide, the danger is not that
the Commission will acquire reputation for
extravaganza. The cost of the ribbon of land
along ale bank of tho river to the whirlpool
would be a small fraction of the total expense,
and it is not to be thought of when balanced
against tho fact that without this addition the
park is incomplete and therefore unsatisfac-
tory. The real danger is that the Commission
will acquire "A reputation for timidity and short
sightedncss. They will not act too boldly if
they stlive to meet the probable criticisms of
the next decade. 1t is an absurdity to pre-
severe part OF Niagara and leave the rest to be
despoled. The group of phenomena which give
tho general impression of Niagara are dis
tnctly marked. They have beginning,
middle and an end. The rapids and the other in
cideuts support the cataract as subordinate
works of art support an object of central in
terest. Manifestly the State should do no
less than protect Niagara as whole.