New-York tribune., 1901-07-07

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: have just read in your paper what you say
in regard to the chairs placed In Central Park TO
say the least / an certainly surprised, as are also
many Of my friends and fellow writer's that you do
not indorse something that at the outset. or look
ing at II from any standpoint. cannot help but be
a benefit. 1 have given this question n great deal
of serious thought and have looked at it from
every side and ] fail wherein II is taking
one ota from ANYBODY, while. the contrary. II
is Godsend TO many might be vouched for by
many who have sat on the benches and been re-
peatedy subjected to various kinds OF annoyances
and dscomforts. You certainly giving out an
erroneous idea which s cruel and great injustice
1t IS not that one objects to the poor-I myself
of them-but every self-respecting person
objects TO personal contact with oafers drunkards
and other scum OF humanity who infest the park.
for pleasure recreation but loafng
place How any man with knowledge or
the true conditions and broad mind object
to the chairs is beyond my comprehension. am
a writer by profession, and have read your paper
for years, believing you always on the right SIDE
OF every question, and on the side Of the working
class; but your attitude on this question Is sur
prise and disappointment not only TO me. but 10
many others. / visit the park great deal. was
there yesterday afternoon for long time. and felt
that l received incaculable benefit from the com
fort and satisfaction derived from the use OF the
chairs. In fact. the trivial sum charged is not
10 be compared with the benefit received; and this
also surprises me. how anybody can sfqrd 10 give
me chair like that for five cents. with attend
ant 10 look after my comfort. not merely for
hour or two but for an entire day. with the priv-
lege Of changing my seat frequently as ike
and going any other part wish 10 with
out extra charge.
You say that II there not enough benches
should be provided that is quite far
concerns the people who want the free benches.
but there is very large class OF people whom that
would not help at all | refer to the medium
working class which belong and which. until
the chairs place In the park, certainly
Disseminated against in that provision Was
made for them: hut now there Is discrimination
whatever these chairs being ielightful solution
OF a problem that has long remained unsoved /
firmly believe that II you personally subjected
TO the various annoyances that cannot he eliminated
where the free seats concerned you would be
the first to cry out for the chairs. 30 that you
might have the little eXclusiveness necessary for
comfort. Nobody is Obliged to patronze the chairs
unless they wish TO. and il seems that a
paper OF your intelligence standing and influence
would be one OF the first TO let so commenda bic
enterprise have your support and Endorsement
The park is there for those who wish to ride in
their private carriages for those who wish to walk
and there buses for those who wish 10 use
them; the chairs there for those who wish TO
them. and free benches for those who wish
them but, until the arrival OF the chairs. there
accommodation for those who do not own
carriages could afford the buses did not
wish to walk and did not care TO use the free
benches. For this last named class the chairs are
a Godsend. and the triing charge is nothing at all
IN comparison with the comfort they afford | feel
OF the question and the requirements of all the
classes OF people. else you would give your an
proval TO desirable and desired an enterprise
New York, June 26. 1896. F. DI MARIA