New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-04-08
PARK FIGHT ACTIVE
T.. Il. PHILBIN IN CHARGE.
His Committee of TrentyfUe VII
Oppose academy Bill in assembly.

The active work Of opposition the erection OF a
school and exhibition building in Central Park by
the Academy OF Design has fallen upon an execu-
I'VE committee of twenty-five or thirty persons, Of
which Eugene A. Philbin is chairman, Arnold B.
MacStay ts vice-chairman and Charles B. Slower Is
secretary Mr.. Slower said yesterday:
I am going day and night until We
whip them. The principle which shall work
Is, Get at the facts and then present them TO the
people. We shall watch the two bills which have
been passed in the Senate and try to prevent their
passage in the Assembly. They passed the Senate
because they Grady bills. They went through
as a part of the agreement between the leaders Of
the Republican and Democratic forces the former
of which seeks kill the direct nominations bill
and the latter the New York City charter. But
there is no Grady in the Assembly. and we expect
to prevent the passage Of the bills in the lower
house.
4 amazed that after eighty-one years of ex-
istence the National Academy of Design should be
about the only organization standing for higher
things in our community to begging for a meas
TIRE TO provide roof over its head.
The bill had be held up for day simply
because some asked how It known that
the academy wanted the Central Park site. The
next day meeting of academy members was held.
and the minority present voted 81 to for the trans
fer The day after that the bill went through
In the Board OF Aldermen there is now pending
a resolution in committee forbidding the entrance
OF private corporation into public parks. The day
OF the hearing has not vet been fixed
Mr. Slower said that the other members of the ex-
ecutive committee would be announced to-day.
Resolutions passed at the West End Asso-
citation condemning the action of the academy The
Young Mems Club OF the Peoples Institute also
passed resolution opposing the location OF the
academy in Central Park.
Victor d Bremen the sculptor and medallist,
said yesterday that he had written TO his Assem-
byman Henry Spielberg. protesting against the
proposed encroachment Central Park by the
National Academy Of Design. and had received a
reply saying MIR. spielberg would work against the
bill
Opposed I am said MI Bremen, TO the
encroachment Of any institution Central Park.
l am none the less delighted with the interest this
move OF the academy has excited
Il hope this agitation for and against giving
site in Central Park to the academy will lead the
public to meet two great needs, namely, to make
the park more beautiful by throwing out the old
Arsenal altogether. and TO hnd suitable place,
outside the park for a public gallery, where the
current exhibitions Of American art can be shown
TO advantage"
Mr.. Bremen then offered the suggestion, which
h considered entirely practical. that Madison
Square Garden. remodelled. would make Ideal
exhibition gallery. in a central location, for the
National Academy OF Design.
Mr.. Brenner said that with the t6o0.nHo or $500. nm
the disposal Of the academy and the financial
support that could he obtained by an appeal TO the
public. the scheme could be carried out.