New-York tribune., 1908-12-23
NEW USE FOR ST. JOHNS
SALT4TION ARMY POST.
II. II. CammaHn Doesn't kHoIC
Uykat Trinifu UyW Do.

All attempts TO obtain FOR the Interested pubic
some inkiing OF what Trinity Corporation intends
TO do with 81. Johns Chapel. in Varick street now
that decision to close the old house Of Worship
on February l seems 70 have been ultimately
reached. still prove futile. Henry H Cammann.
controller Of Trinity. who occupies Office al No
1s7 Fulton street and fs the official spokesman OF
Trinity vestry. hguratively holds up his hands in
horror when asked about the decision.
Trinity has issued statement telling is de-
cision 10 close St Johns" he said yesterday. "and
has explained why. That is all have 70 say
upon the subject There win be a regular vestry
meeting the second Tuesday IN January, which
IS the next regular meeting Whether there viii be
specia: meeting before that date not 7 cannot
say"
Does the s25 coo which is reported the sum
annually spent by Trinity 10 maintain St Johns
include the cost Of maint aiming Trinity Hospital.
which is now closed?' asked the Tribune reporter
I do not care to discuss any figures at all,
said Mr.. Cammann. I have nothing to say"
Asked whether Trinity Church had received any
offers OF aid from outsiders in regard 10 St Johns
more especially whether the Salvation Army had
made offer to The officers Of the corporation
Mr.. Cammann said.
IF the Salvation Army has made any such offer
it has not reached me- As to others. I can say
nothing. A
What 7Suld Trinity consider fair sum to be
subscribed by outsiders in 'case she we're willing
to have them help maintain entirely take charge
of St. John's?" Mr.. Camulann was asked
Il cannot tell" Mr. Cammann's reply
How would Trinity regard the proposition that
the city restore St Johns Park" asked
I do know. I don't know anything about
that proposition said Mr.. Cammann-
In open letter 10 the press Colonel W A Mac
Intyre head of the Central Province OF the Saliva
ton Army, offers TO maintain a Salvation Army
post in St. Johns Chapel take care OF the poor
of the neishborhood in case Trinity would be will
ing. he writes
can only say that recognize the problem 1 that that
hands in the changed conditions that confront
splendid centres for gathering audiences. by the
development of transit systems have oeen SO
an sudience and would naturally raise the ques-
ton in the minds Of the Tesponsible parties as TO 70
pendi3Gre qsGT '0 of 9Gey s2a ssG1R5o and dorf warranted "
II it would be agreeable 70 the vestrymsn Of
T1n!ty Do.pp1aton, d na % g scs S ont1r,inr
meetings the benefit Of those who would dnd II
s OF dsInSs @ %oT W TS be sd 70 a9
each week also the distribution Of the Christmas
dinners ~ the poor mothers and children hereto
The b1idtng you'd be placed at our disposal free
Of expense and with the hearty and sympathetic
support Of Trinity Corporation
In speaking of his offer Colonel MacIntyre said
Tt would cost Us PROBABLY about $3.50 month
maintain post there Of course. il would prooa-
hly cost Trinity much more than that. We would
have r. be guaranteed the buildings free of rent.
however. could not afford 10 pay the salaries
If our workers and he rent also"
United States Senator John Kean. Of New Jersey,
said Yesterday that he deeply interested in 81.
Johns
II do not want the old chapel closed or
torn down" he said. Years ago I went there
often OF course. It was at one time the great
church IN New York City II seems a great pity
that church such as that which has once been
consecrated to the Worship of God should ever be
closed for mere financial reasons. whether the
neighborhood has degenerated or not
Even the idea OF moving the church uptown
does not seem very pleasant 10 ne. To take IL
away from the streets the names of which signify
90 much in New York's history would Re almost
saCrilegioUs- At present il is nearly the only monu
ment Of the past in that part Of the city Loyal
New Workers should do their best to prevent its
destruction"