New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-03
STATUE IN EYESORE.
General SlOcHm SIN Wrapped in
Burlap-Danger to VehicIes.

Poor old General Slocum! It has been decreed
that ne must remain swathed IN burlap all during
the hot summer months An eyesore in his pres
ent state Of Disguise to those who beauty and
an obstruction to drivers, the old General must stay
boarded about b. a fence at the bottom and wound
around by cloths above. with no chance even to
see those who say unkind words about him as they
pass
Seriously speaking the statue Of General Henry
Warner SlocuUl the famous Civil War commander
which since early in the winter has been standing
on the pedestal at the Eastern Parkway and Bed
tord-ave. a production Of Macmounles has been
shamefuy treated by the authorities For more
man year 1t lay prone on the ground in the East
Side lands. adjoining Prospect Park sheltered
IRON mo elements by only a rude shauty. while
the question as to where it should be placed was
being debated Toward the end OF the last ad-
mnistraton the Eastern Parkway site was chosen
and the pedestal built In the middle OF that thor
oughfare. where it is joined by Bedford-ave The
statue. which shows General Slocum astride his
horse and holding his sword. IL leading charge
faces down the Parkway toward Prospect Park.
II IS an elevated and comma nding position but
unfortunate on account OF the fact that the
forms an obstruction to drivers one OF the
busiest points in the borough. Here pass all auto
mobiles and teams from a large part OF Brooklyn
and many that come from Manhattan by the Forty
second-st and Twenty third-st ferries on their
way TO Prospect Park. the racetracks and shore
resorts. The from and into the Parkway is
hides the view. but also leaves a passage room for
vehicles with only scant margin Of safety.
Speaking OF this statue in the Parkway In an
editorial June H. The Tribune said:
1t Is a monstrous and dangerous obstruction 10
traffic at the most crowded point OF the whole
thoroughfare. The propriety Of putting It there
there both the Parkway and Bedford-ave. should
be- widened at their intersection as TO form Il
past in any direction in safety-somethlng which
they cannot do now.
Acting perhaps this suggestion the Park De-
partment has done something toward charging
the passage around the statue. About twenty-five
feet has been cut off the curbing at each corner
of the Parkway. and the passage into Bedford
made broader. the roadways the corners
now being rounding instead Of square This i'm
provement has not been entirely completed but
enough has been done to show that 1t Will relieve
the situation to u great degree. But there still
many elements OF danger there. II it We're posi-
BILE, It would be well TO create large circle at
this point. Now the statue obstructs the view OF
drivers coming up the Parkway and intending
turn into Bedford-ave. They cannot what
vehicles are coming down the Parkway the
other side and the danger of collision IS great.
through on the other side to Flatbush. Then there
Will be the danger OF vehicles, coming from Flat-
pect Park. striking those turning that way from
I3edford-ave. the other side
But as has been said. the statue now IS not only
an obstruction. but an eyesore Ever since 1t was
yelling it has been put from time time. while
the general has been forced to submit to the indg
nifty and obscurity OF burlap coverings. After
many delays II announced Il month ago that
the statue would surely be unveiled on July 8.
put off until IA Date in October, yet to be- fixed
1t Is presumed that October OF this year Is meant
but nobody dares prOphesy. The reason given for
all the delay is that it is intended to have the
ercises of imposing nature, and 1t has been
difficult arrange time suitable for all con-
whose father. General Mcclellan. PERSONAL
friend OF General Slocum deliver the address
Then the date for the exercises has been de-
pendent somewhat upon the plans of Henry w.
Slocum, son of the general. and other members or
the family But way other the vacila-
ton OF those who had charge of the plans put tho
thing eff and off. After the date had been get for
July 1t was discovered that 1t would probably be
too late in the summer TO secure good attend
ance OF the National Guard from Brooklyn end
Manhattan and the Grand Army OF the Republic,
AS It Is intended to make large military dis
play tho features of the occasion the whole thing
put over until October. Meanwhile. General
Slocum looks most uncomfortable perched up in
the sun in his heavy wrappinBs
For years General Slocum OF the promi-
nent citizens of Brooklyn Born in Delhi, N. Y,
in 1921. and graduated from West Point in 1852 he
served a lieutenant in the regular army III III
1856. Then he resigned to take up law in SYRIA
the front as colonel OF the 9th New-York Regi-
ment Before the close OF the year he vas n
brigadier general, and in another twelve months a
major general
In 1866 he candidate for Secretary OF State
on the Democratic ticket in New-YOrk Three
came prominent as railroad lawyer and in
politics He served several terms in Congress with
taking an active part in the House
Committee Military Affairs