New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-06-26
Al GREEN FOR FREE PARKS
SAYS THERE SHOULD BE NO CHARGE
FOR SEATS IN THE ClT1S
BREATHING PLACES.

Andrew H. Green who for many years was
Intimately connected with the development OF
the public park system of this city, is en-
phatically opposed TO Park Commissioner
Clausen's scheme of allowing chairs in the parks
to be rented for five and three cents apiece.
Mr. Green was somewhat reluctant yesterday 10
talk for publication, but on account OF the I'M
portance of the subject he thought best to ex-
press his views. He said:
If it be reported, that the city auth0ri
such a protest as will compel its annulment by
legal process or otherwise. or bring upon the re-
parks of the city have been created at great exS
Pense and paid for by the people for me use a S
for the enrichment of private pocketb3oks. no
can he found in the letting out OF resta hi 4
boating privileges People are not oblgeG 10
Eut seats for the and comfort of visitors are
of the absolute essentials OF a park ana ~ y
of sitting down as it would be to charge Ior ad-
in the parks and if there is SUFFICIENT necessity for
profitable there is suffcient room for more free
seats and sufficient necessity for their provision
Even now the supply of sittings is Inadequate and
lawns the only alternative when the oenches are
When one recalls the many schemes that for the
last few years have been protected Ior occuPyIns
racing speedways worlds fairs etc, one appreci-
ateS the need for eternal vigilance. Inc parting
with large section of City Hall Park for post
office building the encroachment upon Eattery
movaI of which the zeal of our park authorities
seems completely TO have subsided-the more re
Square in order kindly TO assist the Broadway
railroad to solve its Dead Mans Curve problem:
a and s%tba No show the danger To- which our
park system built up with so much labor, care and
expense. is constantly exposed by reason or the
worse on the part of thoughtless citizens and mu
nicipal authorities. 1t is incomprehensible that
there should be any necessity for an unceaSiing
fight for the preservation of our parks. Whch
should be among the very first objects 9i IN, IN
stinctlve solictude on the part OF pubic onlclaIs
and private persons and it is still more tncompre-
tention for the maintenance or me most
privilege OF free park-the privilege OF slttlng
I very much regret to say that the standards
originally maintained for keeping the parks IN
condition for popular have markedly deteri-
6lastu Ineae seems Us "a M. tbat sbnnId not Oh
tain ground devoted TO the public l hope that
he held sarre,IIr for their intended purpose, and
that their administration may be more salts
factory. As for this park chair scheme II II be
reported the responsible authorities should De
sought out. and If they cannot be compelled TO
revoke the contract their should be held in
the public dsfavor which they merit.
In the Council yesterday Councilman Wise in
troduced a resolution directing the Councils
Committee Parks to inquire of the Park
Board by what right the board granted a per
nit for any one TO charge for chairs in the park.
There will be hearing on the resolution in the
Council Chamber on Friday afternoon at >
o'clock
Park Commissioner CIausen is not at all happy
under the fire of criticism directed at him by
the press and public. When asked yesterday
what politician, if any was concerned in the
contract. he said:
Absolutely nobody is concerned in this business
but myself and the young man oscar r. Spd'e
benefit by il.
Mr.. Spate came a perfect stranger. with
letters Of introduction. and told that he
had just returned from Paris. where this chair
scheme was in operation, and where IL was sue
cess. He said he wished To make deal TO get the
privilege. and l finally agreed.
I don't know why Mr.. GugEenheimer should
make such TODD about the chairs. He ought 10
know that this is the course pursued in the
case of the restaurants the CarTOuselS, the don
keys. the goat carts and the boat privileges.
I have received a number of letters from citizens
about the new chairs, and. much TO my surprise
most of them commend the new departure.
As matter Of fact. there only two days
when there not plenty of seats for all These
Saturdays and Sundays. The new seats are
an experiment. 1t is too early 10 criticise them