New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-11
POLICE RIDE DOWN CROWD
MAYOR CALLS THEM OFF.
athletic Field in Pelham Bag Park
Is Opened to Public.

Mayor Mcclellan used his authority to stop
mounted police from crushing a crowd in which
were many women and children in Pelham Bay
Park yesterday afternoon when new athletic
field was opened there. His timely interference
saved some OF the women ans children from
being trampled on by the horses when the police
adopted street clearing tactics to drive the
crowd away from the speakers stand.
After the close Of the speechmaking the crowd
pressed closely TO the stand. in apparent eager
ness TO see the Mayor. Inspector Albertson.
who in charge OF the police, directed the
officers under him TO clear the field. Finding
that his men on foot were unable to cope with
the crowd. he called on the mounted men TO
clear the space.
AS the crowd would not give way the mount
ed men resorted to street clearing tactics. In
a few minutes the women and children were
screaming with fright. the hanks OF the
horses were pressed against them.
Mayor Mcclellan watched the scene from the
stand and became much interested at first. He
kept saying: why don't they stop it?"
AS the police showed no sign Of letting up
and the women were screaming louder, many
becoming hysterical the Mayor rushed down to
the track and gave orders in uncertain terms
that the police must stop and that the crowd
should be left IN front OF the stand. The crush
was stopped before people in the crowd realized
what he had done in their behalf.
The field in one OF the largest OF the city
parks was opened to the public yesterday
with a military parade through The Bronx, with
sports on the athletic ground In the new park
and with addresses by President Fornes Of the
Board OF Aldermen. speaking for Mayor Nc
CIellan: Borough President Haffen and Park
Commissioner Schmitt. Although the weather
was not favorable, a large crowd was present at
tary parade and the athletic contests. The
sports were scheduled for $50 a. m. but owing
to the distance many OF the athletes were unable
TO arrive on time. and the contests were delayed
until / p. m.
The parade started at p. m from Third and
Pelham aves. Congressman G0ulden was grand
and his aids were General George B.
Loud. chief of star; CGIone! Albert Z. Rogers.
Colonel E Johnson. Captain George W. Vande
mark Colonel Richard Esmund. Captain Daniel
Simkins NJ. J. C. DoGovan and Captain John w.
England The troops in the parade were the
regulars from Fort Schuyler. Sth Regiment; two
battalions of the 69tn Regiment. list Battery. I'd
Battery and First Signal Corps Several civic
of The Bronx followed. The route
was from Third and Pelham up the East
ern Boulevard TO the Pelham Bay Park. where
the parade was reviewed by the Mayor, Presi-
dent Haffen and Park Commissioner Schmidt.
Squadron was the personal escort of the
Mayor.
Park Commissioner Schmitts address de-
clared that The Bronx needed the new athletic
field. Mayor McClelland was present to accept
the field for the city. but he allowed Mr.. Fornes
10 make the formal speech. Mr.. Fornes and
Mr. Haffen praised Commissioner Schmitt for /
his activity in connection with the new athletic
field CONGRESSMAN Goulden and State Senator |
Hawkins made few remarks.
''Acting Mayor Fornes has been Acting Mayor /
so long" Colonel Goulden said that at times |
he imagines he is Mayor. and maybe he VIII |
be some day. If he heads the right ticket"
Mayor Mcclellan performed the ceremony of /
raising the flag on the pole near the speakers
stand. while thebands played the Star Spangled |
Banner" and a salute OF twenty-one guns was /
Aired by the I'd Battery The concluding cere-
nonv of the day the planting of an 'as-
sembly tree" by H. C. Clause. 1t was accepted /
oy Commissioner Schmitt-
The German singing societies gave several
nusical selections, being accompanied by nine
,apds plaving together. After the exercises the
,,ests adjourned to the athletic field to witness
he remaining contests
The new athletic field is modelled after the
-barIas Park Gymnasium in Boston, but greatly
,vcaads IL in completeness. New-York's field is
,o,sidsra bly larger than the one in Boston, and
/, addition to outdoor gymnasium apparatus
tara ara fields which are set apart for all sorts
!, outdoor sports from baseball TO water polo.
.fa,,or Mcclellan expressed himself as highly
,Iaasad with the athletic field, and particu-
ar,v enthusiastic over the quarter-mile cinder
ract which he pronounced one OF the finest he |
,ver had seem