The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-25
FOR A PARK.
A Move to Take Mt.
Wachusett.
HEARING AT BOSTON
No Remonstrants Appear
Against the Bill.

Boston, March 24.-The committee on
harbor and public lands gave hear
ing today on the proposition to take
Mount Wachusett as a public park
reservation, and the appointment of
commission Of three citizens of Wor-
cester county to take charge of the
transfer and the property. The sum to
be paid for the mountain is $25,o
Representative Boylston of Prince
ton, in which township the mountain
lies. conducted the hearing of the petit
TONERS.
Senator Washburn of Worcester
opened with a business survey of the
situation. The mountain could be ac
quired for very little money, he said,
and if it were not there was very great
danger that it would fall into private
hands. The whole mountain, he said,
could be fenced in at not more expense
than It would require to buy ii, and
it would be very easy and natural
thing for some enterprising sports
mems club TO make OF the mountain an
immense game preserve; the expendi-
ture of $4,000 for so enormous a play
thing as even mountain would not
be surprising in these days. The
mountain can be made seh-suppOrt-
ing" was the novel assertion of Sena-
tor Washburn AS to expense of main
tenance, the senator thought the coun-
ty would make no objection to that,
as provided for in the bill. The com
Inittee should know, moreover, that
some of the streams supplying the met
tropolitan basin have their source upon
the mountain.
Representative Hooker of Manchester
thought the clause placing the ex-
pense of maintenance upon the coun-
" might meet with some opposition
later
Senator Washburn had heard Of none.
but he would not object il the clause
were stricken from the bill. He passed
TO the committee a pamphlet he had
caused to be prepared describing the
sylvia Of Mount Wachusett.
Francis l.. Morrison. owner Of a
farm of 2l2 acres at the foot of the
mountain, gave the information that
the mountain is already wanted for a
game preserve. and that he had re-
ceiVed letter from a New York mar
OF national reputation. asking him tc
secure an option upon the property
The timber alone, said Mr.. Morrison
IL worth three or four times the pur,
chase price. He presented also a pc
tition with 306 signers. among then
Senator Hoar, whom the nation know.
Morrison explained to the committee
From an illustrated book he pointed
out to the committee the birthplace o
Gen. Miles in Westminster and othe
historic spots. The names Of the own
ers of the mountain were upon Mr.
Morrisons petition, and he stated tina
they would sell to the state as to an,
other purchaser.
Senator Witt, the chairman, inquiret
II any one knew anything about tn
Appalachian Mountain Club; if it hat
any financial interest in this bill. H
had received a letter from r. w. Hig
ginson. an ex-president of the club h
said. and he read it to the commit
tee.
John Herbert. president of the clut
said that the club had for 20 years bee
working for the preservation of noun
tains and had accomplished much. Thi
bill. continued Mr.. Herbert, who is
lawyer, is practically identical wit
that under which Mount Greylock wa
taken by the state.
James H. Bowditch, president Of tn
Massachusetts Forestry Association
said that the interests of the associa
ton and the metropolitan water boar
we're identical in this matter.
l4edyard Bill of Paxton waived GU
muiative points, but would urge tina
although Worcester county woul
doubtless be willing to pay expenses {
maintenance. the state should, in hi
opinion. assume them. He had note
20 varieties of birds upon the mour
tain.
A. H. Bullock OF Worcester spoke fc
tho summer residents Of Princeton. EN
Representative Watt spoke eloquent
for the bill as IL stands; he thought tn
state should not assume the expens
Of maintenance. K. b. Lawrence, SCI