New-York tribune., 1907-04-16
BROOKLYN POLICE HOME
CITIZENS OPPOSE SITE.
1T Hearing Object to Headquarters
Near Park Plaza.

There was n rather heated discussion yesterday
afternoon in the Borough Hall at Brooklyn. when
several of the foremost citizens tried TO convince
committee, sent by the Board of Estimate ana Ap-
portionment. that the Police Headquarters bulldinS
nhould not be built Fatbush avenue and Sterling
Place within stones throw Of the finest residen-
tial section Of the city. two public schools chill
drens home and the Prospect Park Plaza. The
stirring time came when eX-Controler Cirout too
the committee which consisted OF Controller Metz.
President McGowan of the Board of Aldermen ana
Desmond Dunno. the Public Works Commissioners,
that the persons who favored the adoption OF the
site lived mile more away from It, and iur-
ther. the erection of the structure would take
at least and half years. when Arthur j.
O'Keeffe would no longer be Deputy Commissioner
and could no longer enforce his promises about the
exclusion OF cells FOR criminals and OF criminal
court and regarding the way the prisoners should
be brought into the building.
Three in different parts Of the room began
shouting questions at the ex-ContTOller when the
statement about oKeefe made. One man
wanted TO know why he had said that II would
take and half years to erect the building and
why Mr.. O'Keeffe would then be out Of office. MI
Grout replied that he had been quoting Mr
O'Keefe. Mr. O'Keefe admitted that Mr. Grout
was correct at least IN the substance Of his re-
mark. Then Luke D. Stapleton, who was there in
behalf Of number Of property owners, attacked
Judson G. Wall. president OF the Prospect Heights
Citizens Association, who was managing the oppo-
sition
Mr.. Wall" he cried. waving HIS arms. IF
thought that there was any sentiment in the
neighbornood against the OF the Site I would
not say word in favor OF IT, You come here say
ing that you represent the $40 members OF your
organization. You have not said that a meeting
was held during which this question was discussed
and voted on
1T isn't so! 1t isn't so"' returned Mr. Wall
David A. BOody. ex-Mayor of tho old City Of
Brooklyn was the first speaker OF the opposition.
s~r~gv- aaeH
site in name OF eight public institutions. eight
churches and the citizenship of the neighbornood
and Of the borough.
william " Dykeman representing the Riding
and Driving Club put this question: What would
you say. Mr.. McGowan, if it proposed to place
Police Headquarters at the entrance Of Central
Park? Prospect Park is as much TO us and more.
II is all We have
Mr.. MCGOWAN replied cheerfully that it was only
appropriate TO have a handsome situation for hand
some policemen. Ex-Controller Grout said that the
was at the geogra phca centre of the city, but
not in the centre OF population OF accessibility.
The policemen will be continually wasting the
taxpayers money" he said, spending their time
are here today urging the use Of this Site are
simply stuitifying themselves by their actions 1t
is not fair for you 10 say that should have a
wart on our nose. II you want a wart on your
The building should be placed on the Fatbush ave
nue. extension near the proposed new home Of the
Boar, Board OF Health where twenty car lines from all
MT O,Keefe took charge OF the defence OF the
organizations that favored the scheme with one
or two exceptions: the organizations were Of ca
nsrsie, Bath Beach. COney Island, RidRewood ana
other suburban districts miles away from the Park
The chief speaker in favor of the site was william
Hardness; ex-Conamissioner Of the Board of Edu-
cation, who was later converted o he opuosition
when Professor Franklin w. Hooper, head Of the
Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences assured
him that the city would tear down the present
building Of the Riding and Driving Club for nu-
nicipal buildings Stephen NJ. Griswold ex-State
Senator and bank president. also favored the plan
because the building would scare away thugs.
representative Of the South BROOKLYN BOARD Of
Trade said that he wanted TO headquarters on
the site TO prevent its for a municipal court
Mr. Metz told him that If the ground was used
for anything excepting police headquarters It would
be for courthouse for the Appellate Division OF
the Supreme Court. The committee expects to re-
port next Friday.