New-York tribune., 1891-05-03
ulIlRIA IN CENTRAL PARK.

The report that the CeDtrai Park pohds dro
IN an unhealthful condition ought not to have
e,,od the Park Commissioners with surprise.
Americans as everybody knows, are long
suffering people. New-Yorkers are no excep-
t;on and the dwellers in the linmedlate helgn-
borbood Of the ponds in question share the Ma
.;nrol necnlisrity If the Park Commissioners
have only lust heard complaints it is not be-
causa the nuisance has not long existed. For
wears the draughts of ozone shifted by house
holders ON the park borders have been unpleas-
on+lv charged with vile odors suggestive OF the
worst parts of Cologne, or the New-Orleans gut
ters on warm evening. superstition obtains
ouono agents with houses to rent that bad
ome,I moro or less matters little so long as
tenants are forthcoming. But that the rark
Commissioners, charged with the care OF the
al lungs of the metropolis" should taclty CON-
eide with this view, is, to say the least sur
prsing. c...
The Park Commission, unlike the Street
Cleaning Commission, cannot raise the plea that
the force al it's disposal is inadequate to the
care Of ifs territory 1t has Sanitary Superln-
tendent. whose duties are not onerous, and who
receives fair salary for his services. Yet ne
was onlv detailed to investigate the matter
after private citizen had drawn attention 10
the danger incurred by little children who sail
on the ponds, " drinking in malaria in It's worst
forms.' The Sanitary Superintendents analysis
of the pond water proved the truth III great
part of the private citizens assertions. Inc
water in the Harlem Mere was found 70 De
muddy. but not stagnant. That in the pond
at Seventy-second-st. was muddy, emitted an
odor and contained much decomposing vegetable
matter The great lake in the centre of the
par, that is crowded on summer afternoons by
boating parties, and whose stone terraces are
fsvorite lounging-place, was in an even worse
state. ID was dirty and covered with scum,
smelled badly, and was ohoked with decaying
plant-life and dead fish. The analysis also sug-
gested sewage contamination. The pond in the
Ramble was so filthy and revolving to the sight
that no analysis was attempted. 1t was clearly
unnecessary.
President Gallup has promised that the
Board will act as soon as it can if the re-
port is found to be absolutely correct" This
is small comfort to househoders who have to
close their windows to keep out the germs OF
malaria, and the parents and guardians OF the
tinv Mother Hnbbards and little Lord Fauntle-
roys who may not play tag' or whip tops IN
the great pleasure ground without the risk OF
suffering and sick bed. The evil has not been
overstated Members of the Health Board are
reported as saying that two of the ponds at
least are perfect vehicles for malaral poison.
The Central Park is one of the chief glories
of this great city. 1t is not so imposing as Hyde
Park or the Bois de Boulogne. st. Louis, Phila-
delphia and Chicago can all beat it in point OF
size. But it was fashioned under difficulties alb
sent in all those cities, and Messrs. Olmsted and
Vaux, its accomplished designers deserve public
gratitude rs well as praise. What pity, then
that the work should be spoiled or its public USE
fulness impaired because the officias>are actually
unable to detect nuisance until it becomes in
tolerable or to attempt to remedy it except
under the stress of public clamor. The con-
tention that it would take $4,000 to clean the
ponds and that the Department lacks funds is
no excuse The ponds would never have needed
such cleaning if they had been properly cared
| for In the past.