New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-05
SOME FAVOR BRYANT PARK.
EDWIN EINSTEIN THINKS 1T THE BEST
SITE FOR THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
ANDREW H. GREEN TELLS WHY HE OPPOSES I'D
sELECTIoN-THE CITY PAYS OUT MONEY
FOR SMALL. PARKS. HE SAYS, AND
SHOULD NOT FILL ONE OF


Tho nronosed consolidation OF the Lenox ana tho
Aston libraries with the interests under the trust VI
the late Samuel J. Tilden. with view TO the con,
a,,d,tion Of all three under general style ana
title as a public library, is exciting intense "e'
est One of the principal points however Is Una.
oc n suitable site Some people favor that occupied
by the Icnox Library Building; others MINK 'na'
some place more central should be chosen.
Among those who gave expression to the latter
view YESTERDAY was Edwin Einstein. the Republican
candidate for Mayor OF this city in 1897 MI Elm
stein was enthusiastic in his support OF the general
plan of consolida ton He believes tnat the ACTION
OF the trustees representing the several interests
will meet the heariest approval and that II carried
forward to proper contamination New-forN CI'y
will in few years possess OF the greatest lbra-
ries in the world. Asked to his choice OF oca-
ton Mr.. Einstein said
..Withou, any hesitation I would say that Bryant
Park or what is probably more popularity known as
Reservoir Square at Fortieth-st. and Fhtn-a'e''
would be an ideal site. The old reservoir must
sooner or later be demolished, and II can Just as
we'll no dispensed with at some later day
II is ar unsightly object extending from foTueth-
81 70 Forty-second-s along the west side oil ril'h-
ave and occupying about one-thIrd OF the space
that might otherwise be appropriated LOT puoHe
mark 90 essential TO that particular locality Inc
area embraced in the section lying between Fortetn
and Fortv-second SITS and Fifth and Sixth ayes.
represents an avenue front OF iS feet ana street
from, OF go feet In other words, when the reservoir
is removed space consisting of AZ 30 square lee'
Is available. In my Judgment It would be a perfectly
proper thing for the city in view OF so generous "
o0ar FOR tho public good 10 SCI aside this park as
site for so magnificent institution as this puohc
library 10 be. II the plans OF CONSIDERATION
are TO be carried out upon the lines lald down by
these public spirited men who have charge OF the
sacred ,rus, I know there will be some who VIII
object to the surrender OF what is commonly eaiie'
a breathing space in the city for the construction
of a building thereon. When you come 10 consiaer'
however the liberal allotment OF space thdt can
be SHARED for elaborate foundations you VIII YET
see how much OF open and unoccupied ground VIII
surround IL still available for park uses. lndeed'
even though the building should occupy as much
snace as that covered now by the unsightly reser-
vo,r there will be pust as much ground aoou' the
building Cor the use OF the public oi COURSE il
great structure OF this sort Is located there every
thing about Il should be kept up In way creul'ao'e
TO the centre OF the surroundings
Il believe this question OF location or site VIII
grow 10 be an important with reference TO It's
bearings on what now call the Greater New
York The contamination OF that great plan Is ho'
FAR distant II central spot Tor library vi SUE"
dimensions and opportunities Tor useiuhess "e'e
TO be located to-day In the centre OF the Prese"'
New-York looking to the future development nor'h-
ward some spot in the neighborhood OF One-hun-
dred and twenty ninth-st.. midway between the
North and East rivers would haze 10 De rmoSs iii
Rus he New
extend far eastward into Long Island ana there
will be. | have no doubt, WITHIN snort unIe Hot
one nor two nor three, bridges connecting
the two divisions OF the city. but hat dozen.
and when that time comes. the locality OF hryant
park will be az nearly central TO the metropolis
as any site that could be found, without placing
IN. library on the East River front, which would
I'm no sense be desirable.
1T is reasonable 10 assume that the Lenox
Library site and buildings could be disposed or FOR
at least s. 10000. The Tiden Trust Fund already
equals that Add to this the sum OF not
less than 81. oO000O available from the sale OF the
site of l.
is thus provided for building purposes. In addition
this they have the volumes OF both the existing
libraries. together with the annuties and endow-
ments from all three OF the interests thus con.
solida ed. This already seems like large sum or
money but this great fund may fall short
OF the purposes which our citizens may desire 10
accomplished in great educational institution
such contemplated by the proposed pupnc
library for general uses. Does anybody imagine
that the sum OF even S,0o0.0o0 would not be quickly
forthcoming from the weather. citizens of New
taking with endowments in the future? II were
the Mayor OF New-York, | would not hesitate 70
urge publicly the appropriation OF Bryant PARK as
the site OF this library. and believe would haNe
the almost unanimous approval or me people inter-
ested In so meritorious undertaking.
There are many persons. however, VINO oppose
the selection OF Bryant Park for the library.
Among these is Andrew IL Green. representative
OF the Tilden Trust the committee. who said:
X am decidedly opposed the OF the Reservoir
Park FOR such a purpose. What Is the use or pay
ing out the city's money TO lay out small parks
II at the first opportunity we MI one OF them up
with a library?'