New-York tribune., 1910-01-06

New Jersey ana tnllaQelphla, as 1OlloWS.
John D. Rockefeller . $500 900
J. Pierpont Morgan. 5O0 600
Margaret Olivia Sage. 10000
Helen Miller Gould. Observation-Disclosures. $4,000
Ellen F. James and Arthur Curtiss
James .-.......-..-.....-....... 25.oo0
William K Vanderbilt. .............. 10000
George F. Baker. Observation-Disclosures. so 600
James Stiliman Observation-Disclosures. $4,000
John D. Archbold- .--................... $4,000
William Rockefeller .................. 10000
Frank A: Munsey. ....................... 10000
E. T. Stotesbury ry....................... 10000
E. h. Gary. .i................. $4,000
V, Everit Macy y....................... 5000
george w. PERKINS, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $4,000
These make a total. in addition TO Mrs
Harrimans gift which they are intended to
supplement, of sl625,eO. these additional
subscriptions secured by the Palisades tark
commission are upon the following condi-
TONS.
First-That in order that the Palisades
Park Commission may carry out the pro-
posed plan and receive and hold the land
and money offered the state by Mrs, Harri-
the northward along the west bank of the
Hudson River to Newburg, and to the west
ward as far as and to include the Ramapo
powers granted TO it at the time II
created and at = the 1eoe time its jurisdiction
TO condemn land for roadway and park
purposes
Selond-That the State of New York ap-
propriate S2,5O0000 10 the use of the commits
sion for the acquiring Of land and the build
ing K. Of roads a.; and general park purposes.
work on the new state prison located in
Rockland County. and relocate the prison
Park Commission. It will not interfere with
the plans and purposes of the commission.
Fourth-That, in addition TO the aforesaid
appropriation from the state, further sum
of $4,000 including Mrs: Harrimans
pledge of s.. .ooo, 900, be secured on or before
Fifth-That. in addition to the above s5-
oooe0 the State of New Jersey appropriate
such an amount as the Palisades Park
Commission shall deem to be its fair share.
The private subscriptions, including Mrs.
Harriman's gift. already aggregate, more
] am informed that the commission has
reasona Bile assurances with respect to a
, contribution from the State of New Jersey.
With regard to the other conditions it
may be observed that. in view of the service
already performed bv the Palisades Park
is appropriate that its jurisdiction should
be extended desired. To this Mrs. Har-
riman assents. The act passed at the last
session of the Legislature. to create re-
servation in the Highlands of the Hudson,
should he amended or repealed. to
avoid any conflict of authority. 7 may add
that in the near future il may also be
advisable to consider the desirability of
terstate action the watershed in Northern
New Jersey and in the adjoining part of
this state, and that jurisdiction for this
purpose might properly be confided TO the
same commission.
1t is also fitting that the location of the
new state prison should not interfere with
the execution of the plan. and that an
other site should be found therefor. A
contract has not yet been let for the con-
struction of the building, and whatever loss
may result from the change by reason of
any work the prison site cannot fairly
be regarded as a sufficient objection in the
light of the extent and purpose of these
contributions.
There remains the question Of the ap-
preparation to be made by the state. In
view of the heavy demands upon the state
treasury, to which | shall refer later, it
ada 70 r0r0Ti Ti2Ti n
annual income. Nor is 1t desirable
that the completion of this plan should be
DELAYED to await the raising of the neces-
sary amounts by annual appropriations
distributed over a long period of years
Such delay will inevitably increase the
cost and obstruct the carrying out OF the
plan. The advisable course, in my judg-
Inent would be to provide for the neces-
sary appropriation by an issue of bonds
with adequate sinking fund and thus to
make available. as the commission may re-
uuire it, the desired amount and TO ac-
sible delay and without needlessy en-
hanced expense. Under the Constitution II
such debt should be approved by the peo-
ple at a general election and IL may be
submitted for such approval next fan. Be
fore these subscriptions were OBTAINED
suggested this course TO the commission
and they gave their cordial assent TO It's
adoption. ,o
with the Palisade Park Commission in re-
spect TO its plans and these SUBSCRIPTIONS,
and j recommend 1nat suitable dclIoH De
taken in recognition Of these gifts and for
their acceptance, for the enlargement or
the jurisdiction of the commission and Tor
the carrying out of its plans as proposed.
including the change in the site of the new
state prison. And ] also recommend that
proper provision be made for an issue of
bonds 10 provide the necessary moneys to
be supplied by the state. and that this pro-
posal be submitted to the people FOR their
approval at the next general election.
We may thus at an early day secure the
| conservation Of the natural beauty Of the
| provision of a public park of inestinable
| advantage to the people. which will remain
/ a memorial of the generosity OF the pri-
| vate contributors and Of the value Of en-
| lghtened cooperation between individuals
| and the state.
THE FOREST PRESERVE.
/ So far as state appropriations con-
| cerned, we confront an exigency IN connec-
| tion with acquisition for the forest preserve
; similar to that existing In the case Of the
| Highlands Park. Our total holdings in the
| Adirondack and Catskiu mountains now
amount to 1,64l 523 acres. of which $3.50
! acres were acquired during the last year
| But the area of the proposed Adirondack
| Park is 3.313,5s4 acres and that of the pro
| posed Catskill Park SIC, 120 acres. making
a total Of a,ssseS4 acres; o i Is obvious that
| terests of the state require. without larger
| outlays than annual appropriations permit:
| II should be promptly executed II is
| little short of absurd that this state. with
its great wealth., should unnecessarily de-
Law the securing of control of these forest
| tracts, the preservation of which is of such
vital importance to continued pros
! perity The only business-like method. hav-
! ing decided upon the tracts TO be acquired
| and the imperative necessity of their
/ acquisition, is TO make the purchases as
rapidly possible without waiting for
Valres 10 increase or risking the peril of
! further depreciation. Reliance simply upon
! such resort as may be made 10 annual in
! coTTie, In view of the other demands upon
! the "ts;e. means purchases in drblets. ex-
/ tending over a long period of years, with a
! vastly increased outlay for many of the
| properties acquired and with the Inevitable
| failure of our forest policy In an important
| degree because of the want Of prompt pro-
lection. Further. the outlay is for capital
| investment Tor me benefit Of the people OF
| the state for all time and not In any sense
for the ordinary expenses of government,
! and II Is eminenty proper that its cost