The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-27
BOARD SEES LIGHT.
IT ADMITS THAI HRTIsTIC CoNsID-
ERATIONS SHOULD GOVERN.

Experts Are well Enough, but Can't ne Erpect-
% to Knew ne Much ~ Cemmiusioners-
The Experts Are wrongI That's Aii-Report
or Experts Against the Tonbs Front Adopted.
The Park Commissioners. or at least three OF
them, decided yesterday that some explanation
was due for their remarkable action in ignoring
tho recommendations Of their own committee of
exports and the protest of tho council of the
Fine Arts Federation. and adopting the plans of
the Board Of Managers of the Botanical Society
for the gardens in Bronx Park. The almost
unanimous condemnation of their surrender to
the managers Of the Botanical Society by the
newspapers OF the city may have had something
to do with this. At any rate, during the execu-
tive session held directly after the open meeting
yesterday afternoon Commissioner Cruger was
moved to make . statement In reply to the reso-
luton Of the Fine Arts Federation protesting
against the adoption OF the plans. and President
Mcmillan and Commissioner Ely Endorsed 1t.
Tho statement is as follows:
"This department, realizing the Importance
Of tho subject, appointed a committee Of experts
to examine and report upon the general scheme
for laying out tho gardens, as prepared by tho
Board Of Managers and Scientific Directors
Of the Botanical Society. To the report Of this
committee Of experts tho Commissioner have
given close attention and careful consideration
before taking final action in the matter. The
result has been O material modification Of
tho original plan. in accordance with the
views Of the experts, and tho adoption
by this board of most of the recon-
mendations and suggestions contained in their
report. A visit was made to Bronx Park, the
several locations were examined, and the Com
missioners listened to the arguments Of the ex-
perts, presented by Mr.. Olmsted and Of those of
tho society. presented by several of Its directors.
We were unanimously of tho opinion that tho
| proposed locations Of the conservatory and
power house were Objectionable on account Of
the beautiful landscape features Of that region
| Of the park.
"In dealing with q problem Of this sort the
Commissioners arc charged with one serious
duty. which must at all times DO paramount to
every consideration-to preserve against every
attempt at interference the natural scenery Of
tho park. The primary purpose Of q rural park
within tho reach of o great city is to maintain
that rest and refreshment of mind and body
which como from the tranquillizing influence of
natural scenery. All other additions to the at
fractions Of tho peoples place should DO sub
ordinate to the controlling purpose in design
Anything Which interiors with tho restfuI quail:
ity of the scenery. In so far destroys the high
sst value = Of the park "a snr The nren m9sS oa rhieb s cal1s
for the erection Of buildings on park spaces the
purpose Of which is not absolutely material to tho
| BOhCLA4 bSIoulO- VI DIN - -
Botanical Garden. For this reason the Commits.
the Botanical Society, in SO far as it provided
for the erection Of a directors house. first gar,
e eSanred the PROPOSED Of D location Of the conserve
tory and power house.
The Commissioners, in changing the Location
of the conservatory to the south side Of the
Southern Boulevard, have followed the recon-
mendations OF the committee OF experts. No
made from the original plan prepared by the
Board Of Managers Of the Botanical, Society.
could have been chosen. No valuable trees are
sacrificed and 1t gives to the museum much
in the least the landscape features Of he park.
when the board decided to avail Itself OF the
ADVICE Of experts 1t did not surrender IT. the right
were wrong in their desire to place the buildings
close together. II the garden, when completed.
the grounds Immediately around Bedford Park
station would DO SO congested as to make travel
The Commissioners. thoroughly appreciate
the work and purpose OF the Fine Arts Federa.
more regret that its council should have passed
resolutions condemning the action of this board.
which are not in accordance with the facts in
Secretary Leary was directed to send a copy
Of the statement to the Fine Arts FedeEation.
Quitting, Samuel sloan, J. PierPont Morgan.
A. Scrymser, .Profs. Chandler and Britton. and
others, formed q botanical garden. organization,
and contributed some hundreds OF thousands OF
dollars and several years of time to its promo
tion; After q protracted study the plans made
BY their EXPERTS were re- sent Sasm to fh e pnrH s1 "a 5a fos
some outside criticism of these plans, and en-
gagged three reputable, landscape experts, stipu'
lating that they should not charge more than
800 each. This compensation was not extrav,
aRant, as two Of them resided in Boston, and
looked atthe ground. and disapprovcd the plan,
Careful consideration was given TO their crit
icism before plans were finally adopted by the
From what 1 read I infer that some friends
Of these gentlemen think that the Park Board
should compel the Botanical Society trustees tC
put aside their carefully studied plans and have
others prepared by the Boston experts. This 1,
unreasonable. The Board Of Trustees is charged
with tho construction and permanent care OF the
garden and will be held responsible for errors
am unwilling to relieve them from that re
sponsibility by forcing them to adopt plans
which they unanimously disapprove. The gar
the public ii il Il ali the municipal interests q
Greater New York were under the same intelli
The National Sculpture Society made a repor,
to the board Recommending that the front and
porch Of the old Tombs be not erected In Contra
"The architectural merits of the Tombs beinl
Of slight interest OF, value. no portion OF 1t 4
can have no general Interest, and the copying OF
q small scale OF, the grand and colossal art o.
, isssd to 9 nESSsd ht sSe G pepu HnfG %lnG is Hs sal' u
the architectural beauty Of this style. Such
building would be an homogeneous addition to thu
Park or to any group of monuments whatever
The society, therefore. does not thu
utilization Of any part of II as proposed"
The report was unanimously adopted.
Engineer Parsons Of the Rapid Transit Com
mission and Albert B. Boardman. It's counsel
|, appeared before the board armed with the plan
for that part of the tunnel which 1t Is proposeC
to build under Battery Park and Bowling Green
| You should have filed these. plans hero a
, thom at this meeting. said President Mcmillan
r with q trace of acid In his tone.
0 II did not think 1t necessary to file them be
a fore to-day" said Mr.. Parsons. THE route ha
. been stakcd out as you directed. One OF tn
Park Commissioners also went over the Rroun'
when ! was present, and l understand Tint ar
D there"
1t is strange, just tho same. that you did no
. file the plans before this" said Mr.. Mcmillan
" won't vote until ] have had a chance to stud
them"
8 "Other boards have already acted favorabl
0 upon these same plans" persisted Mr.. Parsonl
= The action Of other boards has nothing TO d
with u.s." retorted Mr.. Mcmillan. Mr.. Parson
t wanted the plans passed upon at once, but Nj
n Mcmillan was obdurate.
"This Is the first time ! have seen these draw
t ings," he said. j." and l want 1t clearly undo