New-York tribune., 1905-06-08
TO REDEEM FORT GEORGE.
Washington Heights Taxpayers
Plan Var on Ne1o Plague Spot.

.- ..,,r,,,Ars of Washington Heights, from
l25th-st to Fort George. are much aIoUse0
over conditions at the pleasure resorts at tne
upper end of Amsterdam-ave-, which were fuliE
detailed in The Tribune last Monday morning
The several associations which look out for ule
civic welfare of that part of Manhattan are con-
sidering several Mses of action which will lead
10 the blotting out of the unwholesome coliection
of dance halls side shows and drinking places
The washington Heights Taxpayers Assocla-
,ion which numbers among its members moss
OF the heavy property owners of the district ana
countless citizens who have purchased property
on the heights and built homes for themselves
favors a park along the bluff at Fort 6eoree'
the spot now occupied by a miscellaneous colec-
tion of catehpenny shows and amusement places.
II is likely that formal action will be taken be-
fore long, and the city will be requested 10
create a new park al this point
In an interview with Tribune reporter yes
terday Reginald Pelham Bolten, of No 30 Mas
sau-st. member of The committee on parks
outlined the position of the Taxpayers Assocla-
ton as follows:
The Tribune's timely article of June q on the
condition of the pleasure resorts at Fort George,
Washington Heights, is of much moment 10 an
who are interested in that otherwise dehghliul
The present and growing evils are detri-
1rsent public morals. civic reputation ana prl
IN larinF ONT streets around Fort George, on
Which TO contemplate residence while
me present conditions continue. The initial
mistake of Governor Morton in Vetolng the Dill
for the creation of public park of this at that
time lovely site, has brought this state of af-
fairs us, anG the present evil condition can
only be modified by taking the step at this tardy
date for il is evidently hopeless TO expect at any
rate, for very many years, that the march OF
building operations will overwhelm and oust the
resorts has been the case at l1oth-st. and
elsewhere.
Our association has no selfish interest to serve
in this matter. We welcome the decent public,
especially the poor TO the beautiful and historic
heights and have urged the need for open areas
the hills for their refreshment and play
grounds ON the level for tho hortIes Of Youths
who need space for healthful exErcise and
- games, which would work of many of the evil
habits into which they fan by lack Of such
proper provision.
The opportunities Of such needed open spaces
on elevated ground are fast disappearing; prac-
ucally only Fort George Hill and Inwood Hill
remain The appeal for the preservation of the
latter. with its historic associations its fas-
cinating wilderness of wild forest growth its
huge bluffs and its unique remains of aboriginal
life, has been put forward by this association
and others and is hung up, pending an
awakening Of interest in the authorities the
For Fort George Hin park. cleared of evil
resorts opened 70 the poor and oVercrowded
population who can reach II by the 3rd-ave.
line from their dense quarters the East
Side, where they have the air they need
and scenery they long for not obtainable in
any OF our lowlying parks we plead, and beg
in that effort the earnest and effective aid of
the public press.
An effort win be made To interest Congress
man William s. Bennet's committee of four
teen in the fake hotels at Fort George and
along Amsterdam ave. II is said that num-
ber of places which are doing a rushing busi-
ness with the amusement seekers are not with
in the law and that they can De closed up for
violations.
II is likely. too that the attention OF Commits
sicner McAdoo viii he called a certain laxity
IN enforcing the laws the part of the po-
lice Of the precinct in which this latest plague
srot lies, more strict Interpretation OF the
charge of disorderly conduct will be asked for,
and by this means il is hoped that prevailing
fowdy ism will be discouraged.
The TTibune's article n-Monday dealt only
with the Sunday evils Of Fort George Like
Coney Island. the resort is open every day and
evening In the week. Dancing goes on in the
saloon dance halls and pleasant evenings
the places are nearly as crowded as on sun
DAY There is much disgusting drunkenness
which is especially evident on cars bound down
town about midnight. Frequently gangs OF
young men take possession OF a car and make
the night hideous with their howls and songs
Inc entire length Of Auasterdam-ave As or
Sunday, many Of the girls who frequent tn,
aancehalls are extremely young