The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-05-01
NOT BENSON PARK
Mrs. Mary Hudspeth- Ben
sons Work for Little
Italy Not Officially
Recognized.
WOMAK'S CLUB REQUEST IGNORED
Street and Water Board
Said to Have Chosen Mean
ingless Title for New
Playground.


Yesterday was a fine day. Mrs. Mary
Hudspeth- Benson rose early-Mrs. Ben
son usually rises early. She was glad the
sun shone because she wanted to make
good use of that day and everybody is in
better humor when the sun shines, even
city officials. After breakfast Mrs. Ben
son went straight to the residence of
Mrs. Franklin Whitney, now chairman of
Town Improvement Department
Come" said she, scarcely waiting for
the weather exchanges, I'VE must get
downtown about Little Italy Park. We
want to see about those trees and find
out what the officials want the Womans $
Club to do"
Hadn't we better stop for Mrs. New
bury?" suggested Mrs. Whitney.
So for Mrs. Newbury they stopped and
the trio made their way to City Hail.
Don't you think suggested Mrs. New
bury, I'VE had better ask about the name?
: Now, you know turning to Mrs. Benson,
I'VE want that park named after you.
Funny We haven't heard anything about
the name lately"
The ladies arrived at City Hall about
one o'clock. Colonel Smith was not in
and they had to wait a few minutes.
They occupied the interim talking over
plans for the park, especially the plant
ing of trees.
Strange remarked one, 1--WE have not
yet received any official invitation to at
tend the opening exercises on Monday
next, but then I guess nobody else has. !"
In due course of time Colonel Smith
and his associates arrived. They were
very courteous to the ladies.
You do the talking" whispered the
club president to Mrs. Benson. you
know more about it,
We come" said Mrs. Benson, "about
those trees. We want to make our offer
good. How many do you think we'll
need? And-and-' continued she, with
out waiting for an answer, I'VE want a.
pavilion. Not such structure as you
put up in Van Worst Park, Colonel Smith,
but something artistic, and music Now.
there is an italian band, and I think it
would be nice to have that. They
wouldn't charge anything Now, don't
you think it would be nice to have music,
gentlemen? And" But Mrs. Benson
paused to give the men a chance.
Colonel Smith cleared his throat,
hemmed and hawed a little. Then
''Yes, 1 think it would be nice to have
music" was all he said.
you know, Mrs Benson remarked
one member of the Street and Water
Board with peculiar ring of comfort in
his voice the ladies did not understand,
there would never have been any park
If it had not been for you. You insti-
gated the plan and you pushed it along
and it is all due to you.''
ASK about the name" whispered Mrs.
whitney.
eyes, I suppose that accounts for its
name,'' dreamily remarked the club presi-
dent.
.sOh, you'll be satisfied with the name,'
said one Of the Board, when you hear
it, turning to Mrs Benson
s'Well, gentlemen, we've come to do any
thing we can for you. Well speak or sing
or do anything" and with that the ladies
and Colonel Smith for their kind courtesy
and heartily shaking hands all round.
Something funny about that name,''
remarked Mrs. Benson when once out
aide.
'Oh, I suppose they mean to drop the
Mary and call it Benson Park" said
Mrs. Newbury.
But Mrs. Benson thought not. She had
for the past three months, she said
"Oh, why didn't we ask them?'' said the
president. Let's go back
But first they went down to Mr.. Van
Keuren's office to ascertain that hun
dred trees would not be too many.
Somehow they didn't seem very en-
thusiastic about those trees" said Mrs.
Benson. Perhaps it would be better to
rrsrv all
let them buy their own trees. We could
easily raise that in the club
Both Mrs. Newbury and Mrs Whitney
thought so. too, so back they all went
They met Colonel Smith emerging from
his office and then and there offered the
s25 which was accepted. Then they all
thanked him again, and went rejoicing on
their way.
At this juncture Mrs. Newbury left the
group, and Mrs. Benson and Mrs. Whit
ney went on down town to get some cards
to be distributed asking for donations of
trees not later than May 3.
Suddenly they stopped-'We never said
word about the name!" exclaimed Mrs.
Whitney.
Just then a bulletin notice, Little Italy
changed to City Park, greeted their eyes.
Mrs Whitney looked as though she would
like to strike it. Mrs. Benson laughed.
s.I told you so,'' said she. IF that ism
the biggest joke-and to think-Oh. aren'
you glad we didn't say anything avout
the name! Those men had no doubt came
from the meeting, where they had voted
to call it City Park,
ssAnd they were so courteous" wonder
fngly remarked Mrs. Whitney.
ssIt isn't that mind one bit,'' said Mrs.
Benson later Personally, think it is
the biggest joke in the world but do
think it is an insult to the club. Six
months ago the club sent a written Pc
tition to the Board asking that 1t be
named Mary Benson Park. The CLUB has
not been consulted in a single thing. I'm
SO glad we didn't ask for the name.
Up to this morning the club women had
received no invitation to be present at
Hx1TERS or F4CT.