New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-07-11
IA VERN HEA RING
SCENIC AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
SOCIETY BEFORE THE BOARD OF
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT.

The members of the American Scenic and His
toric Preservation Society. to whom hearing on
the purchase by the city of Fraunces' Tavern and
the adjoining half block accorded yesterday
afternoon by the Board of Public Improvement at
No. q Park Row left feeling that more might he
granted than they had sought. a large and
enthusiastic representation of the organization in
Guiding goodly showing Of the Woman's Auxili-
airy, present, many having fingered in the city
or returned from summer homes for the purpose
OF lending their influence TO the enterprise.
In front of each chair at the board table a
colored picture of Washington bidding farewell to
his officers at Fraunces' Tavern. and pamphlet
describing that event. both resented by the women
branch. The plan set forth yesterday is that
the city buy the western half of the block upon
which the old structure stands, remove all build
ings except the restore that TO its original
appearance and lay out the adjoining ground as a
park The whole would be. it is thought not
than 100000 Benjamin L. Valentine, how
ever, of the speakers. earnestly advocated. as
advantage TO the mercantile facilities Of the
city the purchase of the entire block for the pur-
pose of enlareing the thoroughfare for the trans
terrence of traffic between the Custom House and
the three great piers now being built at Coenties
Slip
Edward Hagaman Hail. secretary of the society,"
gave some interesting figures to show the educa-
tional value of the tavern a public building. He
sale that Carpenters Hail. Philadelphia, in which
the First Continental Congress met. visited
by from 500 to 5000 persons day, and during four
oence Hall, which bought by the city OF Pha-
delphia from the State for a large sum- and
which between 100000 and $4,000 had been spent
for restoration, visited by about 100000 per-
sons year-a figure which of the re-
cent Grand Army encampment and other gather
ings in Philadelphia estimated 1900 600 per-
for the last year. The public schools of New
York had average registered attendance of
ly250 This. multiplied by the number of school
days in a year. 49,, gave 81 so figure which
might represent the educational value of a public
school for purposes Of comparison. II Fraunces'
Tavern were visited by only 1000 persons day for
parison, have educational value of over two
public schools. and If IT visited by 100000
persons a year IL would be worth than four
public schools. Mr. Hall said that he had clippings
from all over the country, including San Francisco.
Sacramento. Los Angeles and Seattle. showing that
this building was known and interested Americans
even the shores of the Pacific.
Other speakers were Mrs N. Fay PIERCE, presi-
Mrs. S. V. White, Everett T. Wheeler. Albert W.
man, Colonel Frank Loyeland, John c. Shaw, ].
c. Pumpely. Reginald 7. Bolton. Mr.. Valentine
and President O'Brien of the Board of Education.
In the absence of the president they intro
ouced by Mr.. Hail.
At the close of the argument Maurice Holahan.
least hundred letters from prominent persons
and societies In all parts OF the country. He had
privately openly, and believed the only ques-
tion to be of money. If the members Of the
the city warrants the necessary outlay, he had
doubt the final decision. He agreed with Mr..
Valentine that the whole block would be a
mercial aid TO the city. Because most of the mem
bers of the board absent from the city and
represented at the meeting by their deputies,
no decision could be rendered:
Among those present Mrs. James E. Pope,
Mrs. John c. Marin Mrs. William Brookield Mrs.
z. E Waters. Miss Mary Van b. Vanderpoel Mrs
james de- Ia Montanye. Richard r Jackson So' and
Major William II. Carbusier.