New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-15
THE CITY OWNS THE PANELS
FINAL PAYMENT OF 81 100 FOR THE RE-
LIEFs ON THE ARCH
COMMISSIONER Woodruff AFFTxEs HIS SIGMA
TuRE TO THE WARRANT. ALTHOUGH HE WAS

COMMISSIONER Woodruff AFFTxEs HIS SIGMA
TuRE TO THE WARRANT. ALTHOUGH HE WAS
MUCH OPPOSED TO so DOING.
The city Of Brooklyn is the owner by
title that Is above dispute OF the two bronze
bass-reefs which were placed last fall on the
inner side Of the Soldiers and Sailors Me-
mortal Arch at the entrance to Prospect Park.
The contract for these alleged works Of art was
inherited by the reform administration Of Mayor
Schieren from the previous ring regime, and
as 1t had been made In due and legal form there
seemed to be nothing for the city to do but TO
accept the bronzes and make the best Of them.
Park Commissioner Squier was strongly OPP
posed to accepting and paying for them. but
could find no way out of it, He left the matter
to be finally disposed Of by his successor
Commissioner Woodruff said soon after enter
ing office that he would never consent to the
payment OF another cent on account Of the bass
reliefs, but he has found it useless to kick any
longer. He at the Park Department Of
fees in the Litchfed Mansion yesterday fore
noon for the first time since his return from his
outing in the Adirondacks. One of the subjects
which he found awaiting his attention was the
warrant for the final payment OF $500 to
Maurice J. Power for the panels on which Lin
coin and Grant are depicted on horseback 1t
was not pleasant for him to attach his sigma
ture but he finally swallowed his scruples and
did so
The document already bore the signatures Of
F. W. Wurster, Mayor; Joseph r. Clark, presl-
dent Of the Board OF Aldermen. and Charles A.
Shaw chairman Of the Memorial Committee Of
the Grand Army OF the Republic. Attached to
1t a certificate signed by John II. Duncan,
the architect who designed the arch, setting
forth that the balance of $500 properly
due to Power. Still more important was a COM
munication from Joseph A Burr. the Corpora
ton Counsel, to Mayor Wurster to the effect
that the contract was Of such a nature that it
must be carried out This communication bore
the date OF July Z. and follows:
I'm relation to the claims Of Maurice j. Power
against the city Of Brooklyn for the balance due
upon his contract with the Brooklyn Arch Com
mission. would respectfully state that have
investigated the circumstances connected there
with and of the opinion that the city can
not successfully resist the payment thereof"
As soon as this warrant Is paid by Con-
troller Palmer the city will come into the full
and absolute possession OF the bronze bass-re-
lefs, which have cost ST. 900 Bronze mon
strosites' they are rather in the opinion OF
citizens well qualified TO pass Judgment on
works OF art. II Brooklyn mad mad commission
OF experts for passing works Of this charac-
ter, like the one in New-York that rejected the
Heine Fountain, It is safe to say that the
Memorial Arch would never have been or
namented" as II Is. After the erection
OF the bronzes last fall there was strong
feeling among intelligent citizens that they
should be taken down. Among those who ex-
pressed themselves emphatically on the sub
tect were the Rev Dr. Charles r. Baker CARL
II. De Silver ex-Park Commissioner Elijah X
Kennedy and Professor Franklin W. Hooper 1t
was hoped at time that the Rembrandt
Club a representative art organization would
take formal action the subject.
That the bass-reefs are obtrusive and out
Of place where they are is the general opinion
Of those competent to judge OF such matter.
II was Park Commissioner Squiers idea that
the panels might perhaps be set up without
detrIment TO the city in one OF the minor parks.
while wholly out OF keeping with the arch and
with the sculptures Of MacMonnies that are to
complete and crown ".