New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-27

ninding Mr.. Grout that the late Andrew II. Green
believed in Frances Tavern Park Later he said
the Municipal ART Society believed Fraunces' Tav-
ern needed fitting setting. but not necessarily
park setting.
What do you think OF the utility OF park there
n there were no historic "reminiscences connected
with itg" asked President Lttleton OF Brooklyn
4 should not consider the park necessary" re-
turned Mr.. Sackett. after n pause. But that Is
not the question
Mrs. n. Fay Pierce spoke briefly. An extra i've
minutes was then granted by the Mayor to Mrs
William Gerry slade to speak.
we want this land because we love Washington
and honor him." she said. More than this
Fraunces' Tavern IS the oldest building In Man
haitian
MRS. VAN RENSSELAER, CHANGES HER
MIND.
John A Dawson. who said he represented the
estate at Broad and Birch sts-, and had signed
protest against the park. the only speaker on
the other side. He said a park was wholly out OF
place IN a business section-it would take away
land valuable for business purposes and would put
an extra tax the taxpayers. Battery Park was
only one block away.
A letter was read from Mrs. Schuyler Van Rens-
selaer.
rs that letter signed by Mrs Van Rensselaer,
asked Nh. Hall. and upon being assured that IL
was. Il suppose she signed II under Instruction.
he said
by Instruction you only mean that you
suppose Mrs Van Rensselaer, signed Il under COM
pulsion' retorted the Mayor. quickly.
Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer, spoke in this
room IN favor OF the park" said Mr.. Hall. firmly.
The resolution was then put a vote and carried
with but one dissentient voice.
Afterward Nh Hall gave out the following state
ment:
The public sentiment which was SO faithfully
represented by the remarkably unanimous action
Of the municipal authorities creating Fraunces
Tavern Park last year will sustain a severe shock
at this backward step. The laying out OF new
parks has always met with popular approval The
abolition OF park for which there was adequate
justification, as in this case, has always met with
I doubt II the members OF the Board OF Estimate
realize the extent OF the public sentiment which
indicates that the motives which controlled 1t
The friends OF the park are not prepared to dis
close their plans for the future. You may say.
however. that the park viii not be abandoned by
them. Washington didn't abandon the cause OF
American independence because has army was de-
feated IN Brooklyn Borough and again in Man
park which was given by the city year ago to
help perpetuate his memory, because We have been
As TO the likelihood OF our taking steps TO test
the legality OF to-days action. designed dn the
discontinue four-nfths or a pubic PARK created
by the concurrent action OF the Board OF Estimate
and Board OF Aldermen, ] prefer not TO speak.
Even ~ our present advice IS confirmed by further
counsel. we may energies to expend them
in some other ways ] win simply say that IL any
cd IN 1909 he for himself that. while II
gives the board power TO lay out new streets.
h mower 10 close apply only TO streets not to
parks
Mrs Rixby was even more indignant. Mr..
Grout controlled the situation in mastery fashion
and got his own way in resembling the resolu-
ture however The women's Auxiliary win hold
a meeting this forenoon at the Buckingham.