New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-28
MR.. BEST HAS TO GIVE 1T UP.

Commissioner Best mOurnfully conceded yes
terday that his scheme for extending the Brook
Ign Bridge into the City Hall Park was SEEM
ingly on its last legs, and that he had very
little hope OF saving its life. This is one OF
the most agreeable confessions which we have
heard for a long time. Mr.. Best's project was
intrinscally bad and he made 1t worse by the
way in which he promoted It. His first an
nouncement OF his intention conveyed the i'm
preston that the matter had been settled. He
was sorry that he had been compelled without
consulting public opinion. to arrange an inva-
sion Of the park. but it was absolutely neces-
sary TO relieve the pressure on the bridge ter
minal, and so he meant TO go right ahead with
the work before the public could collect its en-
ergies for a protest. But his justification did
not justify, the arrogance with which 1t was
proclaimed rendered it additionally unsatlsfac
tory, and the opposition was much more prompt
and decisive than he had expected. Within
forty-eight hours he found that he was by no
means master of the situation. The newspa-
pers denounced the scheme unanimously. and
the Board of Estimate ON whose cOmplacency
he had apparently relied. instead Of pronounc-
ing a snap Judgment referred the question 10
the Park Commissioner, whose disapproval was
made known yesterday and who is expected on
Friday to file an adverse report
Inasmuch we have not hesitated 10 speak
IN severe condemnation of Mr.. Pallas when his
official conduct has deserved reproach, we are
particularly DESTROYS TO give him all the credit
to which he is entitled for whatever part he
has taken in blocking Mr.. Bests obnoxious
scheme But we do not understand that his
approval would have cleared the way. When
the temporary or permanent, terminal extern
sion into the park was first announced, two or
three weeks ago. we said that the consent OF
Mr. Parsons, the landscape architect was es
sental, and, in spite Of various contradictions
we have never seen any necessity for withdraw
ing that assertion. Section GIL of the charter
is so plain and explicit that an honest doubt
as to its meaning appears impossible. 1t says
"The board may employ when thereto author
'ized by the Board Of Estimate and AppOrtion-
"ment a landscape architect, skilled and expert
WHOSE assent shall be requisite to all plans
"and works or changes thereof respecting the
conformation, development or ornamentation
''of any Of the parks, squares or public places
"of the city, to the end that the same may be
uniform and symmetrical at all times" If
Mr. Parsons on due consideration Of Mr.. Best's
design, has resolved to interpose his effectual
veto, he has only justified fair presumption
from his record
Commissioner Best has repeatedly exposed
himself to unfavorable criticism within the last
six months, but we think this bridge scheme
is the most offensive thing which he has at
tempted. If 1t were carried out 1t would
probably fail to accomplish the object at
which he is aiming, if it did not actually
make confusion worse COMPOUNDED. and it would
half ruin the City Hall Park for several years,
if not permanently. 1t also needs TO be said
again, In order that Mr.. Best's future under
| takings may be closely scrutinized that he took
a strange and discreditable course when he
tried to procure an appropriation Of 100000
for piece of work which was expected to cost
only 100000 that he might allow 100000
for unspecifed 'incidentals" and retain the rest
for some public hereafter. OF course, we
impute no improper motive to the Commits
sioner, but that is distinctly not the way in
which public business should be transacted.