New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-08
BROOKLYN FURNITURE COMP ANY
$50 TO 571 Full TON Street, BROOKLYN, NY.
THE PARK COMMISSIONS WAYS.
SOME OF THE BoAorED IMPROVEMENTS.
MEN TOO BUSY THROWING STONES TO DO ANY
THING ELSE-sOME FACTS WORTHY
OF NOTICE.


President Brewer Of the Park Commission has been
rcSorting methods which havo not even the merit
OF being original. 1t is no unusual thing for men
IN local Offices to endeavor to deract from the merits
OF others by denouncing the work of their predeces
sors. This no doubt Is done on the principle that
II one cannot do anything himself 1t becomes his
sacred duty show that others who have tried the
same thing have done Interviews crltt
cisng past Improvements at Prospect Park have come
from Mr.. Brewer in such numbers that they have
been as numerous as sagebrush on an alka plain out
West and Just about as sweet Of odOr and tempting
of taste It Is rather amazing that this gratuitous
criticism has not stopped short even OF architecture
and artistic work done by men who are ACKNOWLEDGED
to stand in the front rank of their professions.
For the benefit of those who induced TO believe
that the credit for all that good about the improve
ments is due about J 900 miles away from the real
locality it may be vol TO call attention to the fac
that Elijah r. Kennedy went 70 Albany and worked
unIemIttincly and almost unaidcd 10 secure the au-
thority issue bonds for the admirable improve
mens which have been highly praised
by competent critics, and most favorably
commented upon by those who do wear
political goggles Mr. Brewer has described the
shelters and pedcstas the Ocean Parkway entrance
as resembling or being suggestive Of mausoeums
Well. this masonry was designed by Stanford White
the designer of the beautiful and classical Memorial
Arch In New-YOrk City IL Is safe 10 assume tha
Mr. White who is regarded by many the finest
architect in America will hardly lie awake az might
broodlng over the urfavorabe criticism work
which is far from being completed Perhaps the
construction NAV surprise ignorance and prejudice
when the black paper which covers the roofs
has been removed. and when the work is finished
It was the Intention the granite pcdcsal
at both sides of the driveway with bronze horses
Without these the work naturally appears to lack
something.
The plans for The footbridse also made by
Mr. White After careful consideration they
warmly approved by the Rev. DR.. Storrs. And
Dr. Storrs" said prominent citizon Of Brooklyn the
other day, Is supposed 10 rank even as high As Mr.
Brewer In aesthetic culture
As for the recent repairs TO the f0Otpaths. the
money for this purpose obtained last year BY
the Commission of which General Woodford was prcsL
dent The funds available six months
ago and il Is not unreasonable TO
ask why the work was delayed, since the money for
the present Commission to expend could NOT be used
in any other way. one Of the remarkable improve
ment, 50 highly praised Is that of allowing carriages
to be driven on the bride paths which is dangerous
as Wi! as lnconvenicnt pedestrians. Other works
OF Improvement may be classed those begun by the
p,cceding Commissioners and tardy completed by
thor Successors
Mr. Kennedy urged that no more stables, sheds.
WORKSHOPS or storage buildings 70 erected within The
park The Commission of which Mr. Easton
president, voted unanimously in fayor Of this. and
asked the Board of Estimate OfToney 10 buy land
outside the park for the erection of such buildings
The BoarI gave 100000 for this purpose and Cen
era WoOdforls Comm sion was on the point Of buying
sutable land Mr. BOwers Commission however,
Will not Use the money for the end for which II was
Appropriated The fund. therefore, will 60 into Tn,
item Of "unexpcnded balances to be disposed of By
the Aldermen. The shops and buildings are IN a
dIsgrae,fu condition. and situated In some of the
most beautiful parts OF the park surrounded by knobs
and hills which command fine views in the direction
of the Bay and across the Orange Mountains Of New
Jersey.
Uare Is the opinion OF well. known Brooklyn man
on this subject: Tho fact T. that Mr. lroWer's
Commission is absolutely incapable OF spending for
FIX nrouer purposes the available sum IL found lef
over from the preceding Commission There are
thousands Of dollars which were requested OF the Board
Of Estimate for specific purposes I'm and about Pros.
rect PARK and which that DOal granted only after
the sevcrest scrutiny of their requests which 4,
cy ,dent Mr. Blowers Commission will De nnabl, 10
expcnd during the current year, and therefore unable
to avail tsslf OF u an