New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-03
JAY GOULD TALKS AGAIN.
THIS TIME ABOUT NETWORK ALDERMEN.
: SUDDEN AND RADICAL" CHANGES IN THE
POSITION OF SOME OF THEM IN THE
QUESTION OF THE OCCUPATION OF
ELEYATED'RArLWAY.


questions regarding tire action Of the Aldermen In re-
gard to the continued occupation Of Battery Park and
the further extension Of rapid transit facilities there
Some of the queries leading that Mr.. Gould
didn't answer them, but directed the conversation to
other points The first question aroused his keen and
subtle, but quiet scnsc Of humor.
"Mr. Gould, what do you think OF Tuesdays action
Of the Board Of Aldermen"
"with Shakespeare" he replied, after short half
smile, half laugh, "that consistency is jewell and
that some Of the Aldermen short of ornaments
"YOu mean That the Board has changed frOnt7"
"Only some Of the Aldermen" was the reply
" Have they not at least been very positive in de
clarlng the elevated railroad must leave the Battery
Park
"Now observe how caIclessly yOu read" he said
"They didn't resolve anything of the sort, They sim
ply referred the matter to the Park Department where
the question has long been pending and where IT prop
erly belongs The Morris resolution is nothing more
than an Aldermanc adoption Of the mock sentiment
which prevails in some quarters about the invasion Of
the parks II is only reieratlon Of the newspaper
assertions the subject. don't sec anything
IN the action OF practical nature; nor is there any
hing In it affecting the elevated railways IN the least
It for the Park Board 20 consider the resolution and
srguments-if you may call the reports and speeches
such-and to weigh them at their proper value. All
that interests me-and it amtses me- tools TO sos how
suddenly and radically some Aldermen, who month
and half ago took special pains to be recorded in the
newspapers as favorable TO the road voted adversely
to 1t on this non-commttal resolution
"Who are these Aldermen who have thus changed
front IN
We'll take the vote on the Morris resolution, which
declares-and that is all 1t declaresthat the public
parks are public trust aud sacredly reserved for the
health and recreation Of the people and that any use OF
said parks for railroad purpOseeven If the railroads
are public necessity-is violation Of this doctrine
10 the sacred parks, etc. ETC., and then see how
some Aldermen voted on Tuesday and how Troy talked
on April II last the subject Of giving the elevated
roads additional space In Battery Park
Continuing, Mr.. Gould enumerated thus
FIrst-President Arnold voted for the resolution,
but he said month ago think the roads need better
facilities
"second-vice- President Noonan also voted to re
strict rapid transit facilities but talked thus month
and half ago II wonld DO good thing 70 let them
have the small space necessary at the Battery
"Thirl--Alderman Charles Smith voted yesterday
with the majority against the road after saying April
12 am in favor of anything that will make things
better until new system is ready for operation
"Fourth-Alderman Morgan votes to-day against his
opinion expressed in April that they should be al
fOrded every reasonable facility TO serve the public
"Fifth-Alderman George B. Morris said in April
IF necessary l would be in favor Of allowing them
few feet on each side of their structure If they pay for
IT,, Think of an Alderman with such lofty sentiments
the resolution expresses being willing to Seu st1p
"Sixth-Alderman Rogers said The question is,
will not the public gain by this small sacrifice OF
park room be used for the purpose OF giving better
rapid transit facilities than if 1t is not SO used and he
answers his own question, It will but he votes the
other way.
"Seventh-Aderman Mead said in April: The roads
should have the space at the Battery that has been
asked for It Increases the comfort Of the people ana
by Increasing taxable values Increases the amount
which the city receives in taxes but yesterday he
voted for the very opposite idea.
Eighth-AIderman Duffy says: 1t will DE neces-
sity for them 10 have more room at terminals DoI e
votes TO restrict us.
"Nintll-AIdernan Clancy voted against the roads,
but said month and half ago: i don't think the
amount Of space needed at the Battery would hurt the
park but he voted instruct the Park Board not to
give it.
"Tenth-Alderman Flegenhemer said The people !
comfort would justify the granting Of additional space
in Battery Park, but voted nay
"Eleventh-And finally Alderman Kunzeman Illus
.rated his want of consistency by saying If the people
want part OF it utilized in this way am in favor OF IT.
and then voting not to so use IT,"
Now, here are eleven out of sixteen Aldermen" re
sumed Mr.. Gould, "who have changed their views on
this subject Their views have very little weight
with the Park Commissioners OF course, all this Is the
height Of absurdty in view of the fact that thc
Aldermen have power in the premises and their
resolution is a mere waste of words In which, by a
wholesome declaration, eleven Oh tHen
own Individually expressed opinions"
"If they are eager to please the people, he said,
Hwly do they not provide sOr'Of entertainment
for them at the Battery and elsewhere? Resolutions
are cheaper than Openair concerts, l suppose But
both at the Battery and High Bridge Park the city has
reservations for park purposes which ii Is almost GRIM
inal not to embrace At the Battery, right along the
sea wall could be built the necessary equipment to
accommodate at thousands of people who now
flock % distant points TO hear music and enjoy the
fresh salt breeze from the Bay. At High Bridge ac-
commodations could be provided at Insignificant cost
for entertaining IN the same way other thousands who
might prefer mlder breeze. and who would not care
20 60 as far as the Battery for their music. The
privileges wha caterers would pay for the exclusive
right to sci o food, ices ec.ius such privileges as
arc now sold In Central ParkwOuld more than pay fol-
all the expense Of the music. At the Battery many
people from Brooklyn and Jersey City would add TO the
number which would como from upt0wn-as far up Ger
tainly as Forty secOndst. At High Bridge there Wouh
be amusement for thousands who never think OF going
On the evening as far south Central Park In fact
Central Park is practically closed at sunset 10 the great
mass OF New Workers.
"Tbls minority report" he said. (which recon
menied the adoption Of the Morris resolution, anC
which Is signed by Morgan, brown and Murphy, all
whom Cexcept Murphy. absenH voted for the MORT
resolution insisted that portion Of any public pari
should be given 10 the of any corporation They
distinctly say that the OF portion Of the pub
paris and Of Battery Park by railway companies ever
II II be assumed 10 be authorized, is against public
policy destructive OF the integrity of the park system
and fragrant misuse Of the parks, the property Of th
city and the pleasure grounds Of the people DO thes
wise soons propose turn ont Of the public parks al
the rich corporations which use them p
GWhat rich cOrporations7n the reporter asked.
"The newspaper criticisms Of the recent interview
with me in your paper" continued Mr. Gould, ar
amusing IN one respect. They say l am no sent
entalist' that have mo aesthetic scrupes aga'As
desponing' Central Park because l suggested the Us
Of the lover section Of II for the Worlds Fair, on tn
Krond that such use would remove the maI1rabreedn
ponds there and substitute magnificent buildings yhc
could be used subsequently for museums art gallerie
and industrial schools Wen, probably that is far NOR
practical than poetca such an act woIli cerolnl
be as sensible now that which the city has alread
done In two other notable Instances 1t has not oni
given Of the handsOmest sites In the PARK to RE
corporations but IL has constructed magnificent balc
49, a. ,ha nublIc expsnse which IL leases 10 these