New-York tribune., 1906-07-01
G 3SSIP OF THE BOROUGH
Canoes Banisbed from Park Lakes
Carp Stir Up Mad.

Although a few canoes have made their ap-
peaTance on Prospect Park Lake there is little
likelihood that any one viii have an opportunity
20 use them this summer Owing TO the haoit
OF the young people principally East siders
from AIanhattan-of skylarlling and performing
nerve-racking feats in the boats on the water.
the authorities have determined that canoeing
must be prohibited The park lake water is in
many places more than six feet deep Further,
the lake has mud bottom lined with a snaFI
OF dead plant groWths, SO that swimming IS haz-
afdOus ana almost llllIysSiDie s ~uttioiiIi .
have long dreaded accidents on the lake, put
they are poweress 10 check the thoughtess ac-
tions Of those il boats. They can only restrict
the kind Of boats used. This is the reason for
the exclusion of canoes. and It may lead 10
more drastic measures in the near future.
II has no doubt troubled many visitors to
Prospect Park to account for the muddy condi-
tion OF the water in the lakes. Especially in the
large chain Of lakes, the water is always Of a
tinge so yellow that the foliage Of the trees and
shrubs on the banks seems to cast no reflection
upon it.
The cause Of the muddy condition Of the water
Is said 10 be the carp. They were put into the
lake in 1870 and 10 efforts on the part of the
authorities have been able check their increase
since. Last year the water in the lakes seemed
10 he more translucent than il Is now, and II Is
thought tha- me present conditlons nave re-
suited fFo;a tho prohibition OF hshing' Wnch
took esaecL a0olt h year ago. There are said to
be carp weighing as much as thirty pounds each
3n the lake. The only PROOF OF thls IS ilat ABOUT
four years ago one was caught weighing seven
teen pounds. These lsh derive their nonrishment
from ghe roots II the aquatic growuhs. Their
burroying results IN stirring up mud through
ali the water OF the lake
When the Rev. william 7. McGuirl, pastor OF
ST. NIchaers Roman Catholic Church and chap
lain or the Police Department, delivered the
dedication sermon at st. Vincent's Home foT
Boys. at Bcerum Place and State street, few
evenings ago, he made it evident that the cry OF
tainted money raised by Protestant ministers
had been taken up by Catholic clergymen.
Father McGuiFl saiG in part:
This building speaks OF no shameful accumu-
lations. Not brick in its walls Is there Dy tne
gift OF tainted money Not nrlck ouL Isl spes5a -
OF some sacrifice on the part OF some one wac
gave 4 willingly No bronze tablets hear the
names cs the donors. This building IS the gift OF
The Dh.ianthropist to-day IS abroad in hIs
motor ear with ingenious mechanics who eVade
the laws. he has robbed ana corrupted the peo-
ole and now he gives money for institutions
and parks in the name OF charity and philan-
thropy. HIS philanthropy Is only a form OF resti-
tuition and repara ton generously named. but
shamefulIy misnsed. His creed IS. ROB men
first: eeC rich no matter now, and then give
back what you please and when you please "a
glOrify your name. Be good IN the sunset OF
life and go dispose Of your millions that you
may found an American ducal family.
These men, with their wanton display Of III
gotten riches have placed the cup OF TAntalus
- Tie iips OF the people and bid them look az
material prosperity and material success. Then,
20 appease the bitter OF classes. they found
institutions which bear their names with selfish
egOtlsn But Il were better 20 have war and
unceasing strife than education that IS built
upon piunder. It Is better 20 have unrest than
a brief sleep IN the woods OF material riches.
yVaat are parks ana institutions compared 70
the life Of the people?
The robe OF charity is dyed with the aBiline OF
successful Tsllaiuy and dishonesty. RESCUE me
sEcIl the strangers whose mouths speak yenities
and whose right hands are the hands OF in~
i.u4ty."