New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-12
FIGHT TO SAVE GROVE,
Taxpayers appeal for Change of
High School Plans.

Among the chief charms OF FIatbush her
beautiful trees which make that section the most
charming In Brooklyn. OF the many fine groves
charming than the one stretching out
in front OF the historic old building known the
Erasmus Hall High School in Flatbush-ave.. near
East Broadway. If the plans adopted by the
Board OF Education for new high school are car
ried out. a large part OF the grove will be sacri-
feed. movement has been started by the Flat
bush Taxpayers Association to preserve the trees,
and a committee has been appointed TO confer
with the proper officials and II the plans for
the new school cannot be changed This committee
consists OF George E. Waldo former Commissioner
Of Records; Or. W. D. Ludlum. Fred Bartlett. Ed
mund d. Fisher and Congressman Edward NJ Bas-
sett. The last named, who Is member Of the Board
of Education and most influential In having
the plans for the new school adopted IS naturally
much opposed tinkering with them in any way
There many persons. however. who believe that
shade trees are all TOO rare in the city. and that
it is almost criminal to destroy unnecessarily.
George Z Waldo who brought the subject up at
a recent meeting OF the Flatbush Taxpayers As
ISOLATION declared that TO allow the trees to be de-
stroyed would be M act OF vandalism The beauti-
fuI lawn and stately grove. he said. the prod
uct Of years OF development. and II preserved they
would give magnificent setting 10 the new school,
If It should be built at the back OF the grounds. as
ne declared was possible
The plans that have been adopted for the new
Erasmus Hall High School call for building re-
seIpblug In a general way the University Of OK
ford. only OF course, a much smaller scale Inc
idea is to have series OF buildings. all joined into
a continuous whole and forming hollow square.
The plan is TO build the main section first and add
the remaining parts they are needed according
10 the plans this main part would front directly
IN Fqatbush-ave. Not only would all the fine trees
in front be destroyed but all those saved in the
rear would be shut away from the view of persons
IN the street In time. when the courtyard Is en-
trely closed in the few trees that would have
been saved probably would die from lack OF proper
light.
According to this plan the present nigh school
building would not have TO be disturbed until accom-
nlodatiors had been prepared for the pupils in the
first part OF the building MT waldo, declares
Importance that il might be better 10 rent tenn
porary quarters for the scholars elsewhere ana
build directly the site of the present bulldlhe
IL the building were put up there aud eXJehHeo oach
Bedford ave. as IL perfectly possible the HAe
grove OF trees could be left intact.
Congressman Ba-sett declares that h. enjoys
trees and shade as much one, but IS much
opposed 10 any attempt TO change the plans for
of Education might resent any attempt 10 iEtcrtere
with ITS liberal treatment of FLftbush at this late
day. He says the question OF preserving the mag
ntfcent grove was fully discussed at the time the
plans we're being drawn. and il decided to be
impossible 10 any more OF the trees than VIII
be done under the approved plans. Mr.. Waldo Is
a fighter however. and has enthusiastic eaCklnS,
go Il Is possible that they will carry their point
and compel the Board of Education 20 respect a
noble example " Natures education. even II some
architectural masnhcence has to be sacrificed
thereby
The present building. part OF ii, dates back
to Colonial times For years II was a private |
academy, and had wide reputation throughout
the United States.