New-York tribune., 1899-12-17
A GESSLER CONE TO JrDGuEvT
ISAAC L. RICE DOES NOT SEE WHY PRE51
DENT CLAUSEN SHOULD NOT AS
SUME THAT CHARACTER

The narrowing story was told in The Tribune
yesterday Of how licenses to use automobiles in the
Park belonging to Isaac l. Rice and Jefferson
Seligman had been revoked by President Clausen
of the Park Board because they used for the
introduction into those rural shades Of cabs or
coaches of old type Mr.. Causen explains
his position with much gravity and probably for
himself. with much cearness but Mr. Rice is
scarcely to be blamed If he fails 10 understand
him.
The Park Board It appears is conservative
body and II does not wish to take any hasty step
which it might afterward regret. 1t means to
grant permit for automobile In he Park only
e once In a while and that experimcntally. Then,
perhaps. If II is found that an automobile is IN
any way objectionable. if It frightcns horses
the various animals in the merry -go-round. or If
1t sets the lions a-roarng with decorations Of
punctured tires the issuing OF per nits may be
stopped. and all those who already hold
them die the Park will be free and safe again.
II was thought at first tha; the reason for this
caution was the dread Of frightening horses but
il appears that Mr. Clausen objects the
admission Of certain vehicles just because they
old fashioned, because they are coaches, or be-
they covered. or because ;hey are cabs
1t is pleasant TO think that the city has public
servant who has some consideration for esthedc
proprety. II has few enough Of them. II is pleas
ant also to know that the horses which frequent
the Park have enough aesthetic to be fright
ened at old fashioned carriage. whereas they
would look with polite tolerance. II rot approval
on a fashioned one 1t has been known all
along that horses looked askance at automobiles
calculated 10 deprive them OF their occupations
but 1t has not before been realized that they were
ready to submit gracefully if only the new car
riages were beautiful. But the horse is noble
animal and II this is true IT is OF the noblest
things he did
But Mr.. Clausen and the horses should all re-
member that thing may be old fashioned and
beautiful the same time. Some portions OF the
Park are old fashioned and of doubtful beauty az
the same time But what about tallyho coach?
There have been actual parades Of them In the
Park, and they are coaches they are covered, ana
they are old fashioned. They everything that
Mr.. Clausen objects to, except that they are not
cabs. 1t seems If Mr.. Clausen were thinking Of
Hyde Park. or other place than Central
Park where public carriages are admitted and
as II he had got his reasons mixed Certain vehi-
cles are not admitted Hyde Park and other
parks. not because they are coaches or cabs. but
because they public
Mr. Rice yesterday ressed a letter TO Presi-
dent Clausen. in which A.. sad
II your authority as Park Commissioner allows
you to make a regulation Of this character It must
also allow you to place your hat In some conspicu-
place and permit enc to enter the Park
who will not bow TO T. Your ruling therefore orc
affects the rights and liberties OF the Citizen Tor
which believe there must be remedy
AT late hour last night 1t had not been ascer-
tained that Mr.. Clauser had any such intention In
regard to his hat. that he even contemplated
prescribing any particular style date Of hats to
be in the Park.
The revocation by Commissioner Causen Of the
permits of Jefferson Segman and Isaac L. Rice
TO operate electric automobiles in the Park caused
a futter among the owners Of automobiles VINO
have applications for permits on file. Iney
thought e. a backward step and looked upon
It as a probable stopping Of all automobiles. Com
missioner Causen said yesterday that permits
would still be issued from time to time, but In
order TO prevent recurrence Of the abuse OF the
permit whether il unintentional or not the
permit hereafter would specifically set forth what
kind of an automobile permitted to enter the
Park. The new permits will contain the phrase
"open pleasure carriage (.........). the style OF
the carriage being placed in the parentheses.
The line Commissioner Clausen said was strong
lv drawn against cabs. coaches and broughams.
He added that Messrs. Seligman and Rice would
have TO file new applications. Those who hold old
permits will not be expected 10 live up 10 the re-
Quirements. - ooo -. c..oo.L
ST Yesterday received permit to enter central
PARK in his electric automobile. Mr.. Buzby was
The frst 10 try to enter the Park In an automobl
in order TO test Mr.. Clausen's order that none
sbouid be admitted. Mr. Buzbys permit specifies
that he may ENTER upon and pass over the drives
Of the Central Park with an open electric pleasure
carriage nhaeton), operated ny an eNpeii"
motorman.'