New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-13
Mr. WILCOX TO PROTEST..
HE is NOT SATISFIED WITH THE TREES
THAT ARE BEING PLANTED
IN UPPER BROADWAY

THE -.nlsp+inp IF trees along Broadway in the
nefehborhood of Sfxtysecond-st.. over the SUBWAY
is not being done TO the entire satsiae'i "a ~
n,,bIic or OF the Commissioner or farks- RE
nuentIv in setting out young trees the mistake Is
made of putting them too close together SO mat
ben ,ta,, attain more growth they seriously in
terfere with one another. But the distances be-
tween the trees being set OUT along 'he upper
mart of Broadway seem greater imam necessary
for the fullest allowance of development
William R. Wilcox, president OF the Department
of Parks was seen yesterday by q tribune re-
porter in regard to the repiahung-
lam not at all satisfied with the manner In
which the work is going forward, SAID NE, ana
shall do all that lies in my power 10 see that the
contract is properly carried out To begin with the
oo+-.,+ calls for trees Is feet high and 3ia inches
in diameter Those put out are not up to either
requirement. Their vitality is also poor ana many
will hardly live AS to the distance tor spacing
for the best results cannot say at present just
what the usual rule is. There has been trouble
Ia+aI, In Passion where the trees in Commonwealth
eve are being weeded out because they were oriSi-
nally placed too near together. All THESE matters
Will, he carefully attended to- The spacing, though
most important is not the primary detail however.
The great thing is have good trees to start with.
And the department may be depended upon to in
sst that such set out as the contract calls
for and set out properly The contract is with the
Rapid Transit Commission. l shall write to it and
see that the terms enforced OF course, the
special work is being done by the sub-contractors,
and they will be the people who will have to do
the REMAINING But the Park Department will call
rpon the Rapid Transit Commission and without
delay.
Speaking of a letter that appeared in morning
newspaper yesterday criticsing the condition of
Central Park DR.. Wilcox said with warmth
that the complaints i'll founded. THE man
that signed the letter must know that what he
says is untrue And why does he write an open
letter denouncing the park administration? Such
course really loses much of the force of the
complaint If he had written direct to the de-
partment we should have been bound to give him
attention And should have been glad TO do
We get plenty of letters sent to direct. and
always pleased to have the cooperation of the
public in correcting any bad conditions But, a
matter of fact. the majority of letters received
commend the present condition of the park, and
say that it is In better state than 1t has been
years. OF course. the Department of Parks cannot
We real authority in the premises. That
Is the duty of the police If they did their duty not
a scrap would reach the walks. As it is nothing
stays long. No untdiness is allowed to last many
minutes The walks and roads constantly
gone over by There relays of work
men patrolling all thoroughfares and paths from
a. m. to y. m.
The Commissioner said regarding the concert in
the Mall tomorrow in memory of President Nc
Kinley: 1.-THE band will play airs which were
favortes of the late President. and patriotic and
appropriate selections. 1t Will be a fitting token
of general and popular sentiment"