New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-02
PALLAS CHANGES FRONT.
an "Unless" No1c to His Objection
to Best's Plan.A

While the defenders of City Hail Park were
still rejoicing that Bridge Commissioner Bests
plan to scar the park with temporary bridge
terminal would come to naught because of the
stand taken against 1t by Park Commissioners
John ]. Pallas the latter official showed a
change of front In communication which was
made public at meeting of the Board Of Esti-
mate yesterday He wrote that he was OPP
posed TO the plan unless he could receive salts
factory assurance that the building would actu-
ally be removed within eighteen months"
Commissioner Best right at hand with
any amount Of assurance that he could get his
tracks laid and pull down the temporary struct-
within the time limit Commissioner PaIlas
set. He thought that he would have time to
spare. Controller GrOut did not believe that
this assurance could be given, and after some
discussion action was postponed until July 10.
Opponents of the plan for using the park for
a bridge terminal have found a section of the
Greater New-York charter which they think
gives the landscape architect Of the city
chance to veto the proposition. The section is
No. Gil. and reads in part:
The board may employ when aTthoTfed By 16e
scape architect skilled and expert, whose assent
changes thereof respecting the conformation. de-
velopment or ornamentation of any OF the parks
that the same may be uniform and symmetrical
at all times
Such structure as Commissioner Best would
erect, say his opponents, certainly affects the
conformation of City Hall Park. In that case
the assent OF Samuel Parsons, jr.. the city's
landscape architect. would be necessary. 1t is
understood that Mr.. Parsons does not believe
that he has any Jurisdiction
An Interpretation OF this particular section
has not been made by the Corporation Counsel.
1t is rule Of Mr.. Delany's Office not TO give
opinions unless asked to do so by some city
official
John De Witt Warner, of the Municipal Art
Society. said yesterday that the society could
take action regarding the proposed tempo
rary terminal unless 1t cost more than 100000
or It requested to act on It by the Mayor
or Board Of Aldermen. The temporary terminal
viii not cost anything like million dollars. and
as the influence of Mayor Mcclellan Is said to
be responsible for Commissioner PaIass change
of front II is not likely that the art society will
have an opportunity OF dealing with the subject.
Mr.. Warner said he would like to express an
opinion on the project. but could not do so so
long as there possibility that 1t would be
referred TO the society.
This bridge terminal In the park Is purely
and simply temporary structure" said Com
missioner Best yesterday. and I can give the
Commissioner of Parks every assurance that II
Will be removed within eighteen months We
will not have to wait for the Superstructure Of
the building TO be completed. I can see my way
clearly so far as the laying of tracks is
ceTned- There may be some delay about the
building. Indeed, / would not be surprised IL
had to go to the Legislature about that. II
Mr.. Grout is figuring having the terminal
building completed within eighteen months, do
not wonder that he is afraid we cannot get the
temporary structure ont Of the way within the
time limit"