New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-14
HEARING ON LIBRARY SITE
Opposition to Haze Opportunity of
Airing It's Vie1cs.

T-TT
80 running back along the Eastern Parkway and
r-r.tb,sh-ave. 10 the Mount Prospect Reservoir
:, The water supply system. A bill granting to
=. Mayor the Borough President and the Park
commissioner the power 10 set aside this land
.o- q library site has passed the legislature and
tsan signed by the Mayor after some opposition
An that remains TO make it law is the sigma
-s Of the Governor. which is expected as a
-,.rter Of course. for so far as known the op-
nosition has not mace any attempt to get him
. ,e-o the bill Although David A Boodv
~.ss,5ert Of the Library Board: Frank P. Hill
~ head librarian, and majority of the trus-
ss are enthusiastically in favor of the site that
rs been chosen. there has been considerable
f,iosra Of the idea Of placing the central
,rr.r, in this particular spot In order that
- SIDES may be heard and that public senti-
.-s,t on The question may be determined. the
T.-ooklvn League has requested the Mayor 10
grant a public hearing before he and his coll
leagues definitely exercise their powers under
,be law and set aside the site for library pur-
poses.
The two arguments that are being urged most
strangely against putting a central library build
,rg on the site in question are first that the
loration is not at all central, and proba bly, will
never be as easy Of access from all parts Of the
borough as other sites that could be chosen.
Then there IS the argument Of those who believe
that the placing OF a building at this apex Of
the Eastern Parkway and Flatbush-ave. would
he q serious mistake from the point Of view OF
the landscape architect. It is contended that
:; would block the view one gets up both of
these broad thoroughfares and would spoil the
general effect. 1t would effectuaIly cut off the
broad slope Of the reservoir and completely
eclipse the stone water tower, which is one of
T1geo in he
city Il would OF course. completely destroy
the little piece Of park which forms a most
beautiful approach 10 the Eastern Parkway
and FIatbush-ave. In this little park is the
huge bowlGer which erected to the memory
Of Henry ". Maxwell and which was placed on
the site only after prodigious amount Of labor.
The opponents of the plan say that the placing
Of large building there, in addition to running
the vista in that direction from the plaza, would
so far overshadow the remaining architecture
and landscape effects around the plaza as TO
mar The main entrance TO Prospect Park
SOME FAVOR THE SITE.
on The other hand, those who favor the site
declare that far from detracting from the gen.
eral effect, handsome library building would
elevate the tone Of the neighborhood and be
distinct benefit They say that a four story
h1ld.ng would not shut off the prospect as
much as imagined. because the ground back of
the site is higher. Mr.. Hill said yesterday:
We went into this thing with great delibera-
ton and an open mind, with the determination
70 look at it from all sides. The more we stud
ied the more We became convinced we were
that the placing Of the library at that point
would be advantageous TO the surrounding land
scaPe. There is no question that the site itself,
d.sregarding advantages or Disadvantages 10
the surrounding neighborhood, IS an ideal one"
one Of the considerations that turned the at
te1-icn Of the library directors to this partic-
ulzr site was thar it was owned by the city, and
thu il would probably be impossible to get an
appropriation sufficient to buy a suitable site
in another locality. They feel that a central
library should be secured at the earliest posi-
be moment, not only because the work Of the
library is growing SO rapidly, but because the
institution VIII be unable to acquire certain val
liable collections Of books from time TO time
unless it has suitable place in which TO care
for them Speaking Of the enterprise the other
Gay, President Body said:
i is very difficult thing 10 obtain from a CITY
government, where other wants are so pressing,
he necessary support 10 a movement Of this
klnd have found much indifference to library
WoTk, Just as this spirit is shown to all improve
ments and public benefits at the start. Now
We have progressed SO that We have the promise
q The city 10 give US this tract Of land and
WI VIZ PROBABLY cost between S1OOO,0OO and
s2VSO" By using this plot no money will
nave 10 be expended for land and the less work
We viii have in getting the matter through.
~ the best are met on every hand with
opposition. some wanted it IN another part OF
tie borough, some influential people in Man
rattan say that the big central library at
5ih-aye. and 42d-st. viii serve for the whole
CITY So il get such fair promise as We
nave, what else could the directors of the Brook
yn Public Library have done but indorse the
Proposition?
Just as soon as the bill becomes a law by the
Signature Of the Governor the directors will
make formal application TO the Mayor. the
Borough President and the Park Commissioner
Tor the site il question. They do not expect
any opposition from these officials. Then will
come the question OF getting appropriation
Tor the building. II is understood that there is
Zone money now available for this purpose, but
regarding this feature the directors say they are
not ready 10 speak. They are anxious, however.
70 get a good start on the proposition during the
Present year for fear that a succeeding admin
Airston may not be so favorable to the project.
PROFESSOR HAMLIN FAvORs SITE.
As has been said, merely looking at the site
rom the point Of view OF the library itself. il is
an ideal place for a library building. Professor
4 D. F. Hamlin of Columbia University, an
Expert on architecture, who was retained by the
ciFectors TO study that phase Of the question.
says in his report:
The more I study its possibilities the more
strongly l am impressed with its sufficiency,
tao' indeed. its admirable appropriateness as
s4Ie Tor the proposed central library. The 'front.'
sSse which is made possible along Flatbush-ave;
= the different types Of plan ranges from 80
.eet 70 o24 feet The frontage Of the Boston
Euollc Library is 224 feet. The frontage OF the
taort side Of the library, towards the plaza,
varies n the plans from 12S 142 feet and over.
A4ong the lateral wing on the Parkway, not In
olQlng the great pavilion toward the plaza, II