The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-19
The Deadly Revolution In the Central
Park.

As the only journal in this city to approve
the law for new trotting speedway along
the western side OF the Central Park is the
Herald. our contemporaries remarks Of
yesterday upon this topic possess singu-
lar Interest. The most noticeable feature
OF It's comments is the state Of uncertainty
as to the precise nature Of the project. re-
vealed by this passage In the news columns
Some persons contend that the proposed new drive
% designed the owners Of fast trottsrs
with FREQ for speeding their fancy stock This
conclusion. however. 10 not to BE- accepted until the
Park Commissioners approve the plans and announce
the rules"
II 1t is not to be a course for speeding
trotters. what Is 1t to be for2 II the roads
already In tho Park are not wide enough to
accommodate the sort OF trafflo ordinarily
permitted in cities. they can DO widened.
Tho official view OF the editor upon the
question Of speed appears here:
1T will not be race track. some Of its opponents
have characterized IL. Much of the driving there.
though sposdier than practicable elsewhere. will not
Be of the fastest order"
Let us have no misunderstanding regard
ing this aspect Of the intended speedway.
either on the part OF Its advocates or Its
opponents. It is to be n road for trotting.
with the restrictions upon speed now in
force withdrawn. Otherwise what Is the
need OF new and destructive innovation Of
this extraordinary character It Is to be for
trottlng outfits wholly and solely. or the
single reason for Its construction disap-
pears. 1t is to be made straightpand wide.
and graded so that trotter in full flight
need not be checked at any portion OF 1t.
For that purpose. and that purpose only.
for no other can be served safely at the same
time. the western side OF the Park. perhaps
its most rolling and rocky and picturesque
part. is to DO levelled through hill and
hollow: and all the traffic now going and
coming through the western side. Is to be
subjected to the use Of tunnels or bridges.
Of dimensions never before imagined. As
to races. there will be races whenever the
drivers desire to race. The very prime part
OF the fun expected will be the freedom
to test your horse with the ambitious reins-
man who draws up alongside. 1t will be in
the Park rs it Is to-day on Jerome avenue.
1.-two gentlemen agree to come UP together
at speed to q certain spot. and then let the
brush last for mile. or for any certain dis
tance beyond. there will be race as perfect
as though the bell rang and the Judge said
Go! Stakes may be what the matchmakers
like. II speed is TO be allowed at all, no Sc
verify OF regulation ordered by the authori-
ties can prevent the freedom Of COM
petition. Such a prospect may be crit
icised from various points Of view. but
such would be the facts. It may we'll
be said that people would wait along
the route liable to provide such exhibit
tions. The Park side Of the Eighth avenue
would often be black with tho crowds
eager to witness the contests; and. what
has perhaps remained unconsidered, there
would inevitably have to be some supple
mentary alteration OF the Park plan to pro-
vide facilities for viewing the speedway
from within. What the effect Of such a
Transformation upon the property on the
Eighth avenue would be. cannot now be de-
termined. But it may be conjectured.
The more this project Is examined into.
the more difficult complicated. and revolu-
tionary it appears: and the more clear is
the evidence that it has failed to receive
from its promoters the study indispensable
for dealing with 1t in spirit Of wise regard
for the browning beauty and blessing Of New
York. the Central Park. The law command
ing the construction of the speedway should
be repealed.