New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-22
AGAINST GIFT OF PARK
Strong Opposition to Letch1cOrth
Grant appears an Senate.


Albany, Jan 21-Opposition to the passage OF
the bill allowing the state 10 accept the gift of
William Pryor LetchwOrth sprang into the open
full fedged tonight. Despite the declarations
of Senators Hill and Hooker that the original
bill introduced by the former. vesting control
Of the public park I'm the American Scenic and
Historic Preservation Society. embodied. tho
wishes Of Mr. Letchworth himself. Senators
Grady and Armstrong declared that even If the
property lost to the state they would not
vote for 1t in that form. The declaration has
been made freely here that any delay which
would prevent the acceptance of the gift by the
state would be most acceptable to certain power
company people who need that property for
carrying out their plans. Mr.. Letchworth Is an
aged man. and his health is uncertain. Fur
Their, the debate tonight brought out his avowed
determination to take back his offer If his terms
are not accepted.
All the opposition voiced tonight centred
around the clause in the original bill vesting
control of the public park after tho death of
Mr. Letchworth in the scenic society. Senator
Grady and Senator Armstrong, who in the
finance committee amended Senator Hills bill
to eliminate this provision, led a vrulent at
tack against the character and administration
of this organization although they had voted
last year to allow it to control Watkins Glen.
purchased by the state for a park They ex-
pldlHeu lIlaI circumstances IN tnlS case
different-the administration of Watkins Glen
could be taken from the society at any time
while by the terms of the deed and bill covering
the Letchworth gift they thought such action
would be difficult
No apparent cause be found for the bitter
opposition to this society which was shown to-
night. Senator Hooker, who probably knows
more about the situation than any other legis-
lator. said he did not think the power company
had inspired the demonstration. Some of the
comment. however. that the power COM
pany people might feel easier If no public or
ganization had control of the park.
The debate tonight came up when the AS
senbIy bill arrived in the Senate Senator
Hill moved that it go to third reading without
reference. but Senator Grady objected. decar-
ing that he'd have "a little fun" with II. A few
minutes later Senator Hill moved TO restore his
bill to the form I'm which 1t before the
Finance Committee amended it.
Here's a gift worth 100000, a beautiful
property for a public park. such our citizens
travel TO the Yosemite to see,' he declared.
land here quibbling about the terms of
conveyance. Mr.. LetchwOrth is feeble that
no one knows when he will die. II is important
that we settle this now. and not next week. We
gave similar control over Watkins Glen to the
scenic society / say to Senator Grady and
Senator Armstrong that they are endangering
this gift If they change the bill in any form"
Senator Grady wanted to know If Senator Hill
had this direct from Mr.. Letchworth.
az had il from Mr.. Letchworth's lips In the
la,r thirty-six hours answered Senator HILL