New-York tribune., 1910-01-06

1t was Mr. Harriman's wish. and Is my ex-
pectation, that this fund should be used
by the state TO acquire other parcels OF
land. adjacent to the above mentioned tract
and intervening between 1t and the Hudson
River, and in the Improvement of the
whole, so that the park may ultimately
have some portion of river front and thus
by improved accessibility, be rendered
more useful and beneficial to the peoDle OF
this city and the neighboring counties
If you will kindly cause such action to be
taken as will indicate the acceptance of this
the agency through which the state will
accept and administer the same [ shall be
ready to complete the matter at any time.
If Ii seems wise to you that the jurisdiction
of the present Palisades Park Commission
should be extended, so to include the
care and development of the proposed park
such result would be entirely agreea BILE
MARY w. HARTMAN.
Arden. y. Y, December Is. 1909.
The following letter is from Charles A.
Peabody to Governor Hughes. dated De-
cember IS, 1909:
No. Wall Street.
New York. December Is. 1909.
The Hon, Charles f. Hughes, Governor.
etc Albany. y. Y:
Dear Sir: Referring to the letter of Mrs.
Edward III. Hartman, under date of De-
cember Is. 1909, which she transmitted to
you through me. it has occurred to me
that the conditions referred to in her pro-
posal should be set forth more in detail in
order 10 make clear at this time her view
grant will be made
IA addition to the condition that the land
conveyed by her to the state should be
held for use as public park, she pro-
poses to add a further condition, in effect
or corporation under the authority of the
state. shall hereafter condemn seek to
condemn other land in Orange County be-
longing 10 her or her descendants, the land
which is the subject of this grant shall
thereupon revert to her or her heirs.
1t is proper to say that adjacent to the
acaI RI Il oNt Of
land which now constitutes Mrs. Harri-
mans residence, and it has occurred to her
enlargement of the park should have in
contemplation the condemnation, under the
power OF the state, OF other lands of hers,
Il might greatly interfere with her plans
as TO the future, and she would not wish
her gift to the state to be made the start
ing point of such proceeding. She realizes
that the exercise by the state of its power
of eminent domain probably cannot be lin
ited by any agreement and II has seemed.
should be made conditional upon there
being no attempt in the future TO encroach
on what she desires to retain for her own
use.
IN my conversation with you on this sub
ject 1 understood that this reservation on
her part did not seem to you unreasonable
tainment of the great object in view
may be accomplished consistently with this
plan.
CHARLES A. PEABODY.
Governor Hughes sent this letter to Mrs.
Hartman:
State of New York. Executive Chamber.
Albany Dec. 29 1909.
Mrs Edward H Hartman Arden. N. !.
Dear Madam: Mr.. Peabody has sent to
me your letter under date of the 18th in
stant: in which you propose to convey 10
the State of New York, on certain cond-
tions, tract of about ten thousand acres
of land situated in Orange and Rockland
counties, to be held by the state in per-
Cto nd f,.rf 10
give 10 the state, or t? duly author
lied board or commission, the sum of
$4,000 & in trust to be used by the
land adjacent to the aforementioned
tract and intervening between it and the
Hudson River, and in the Improvement OF
the whole. that the park may ulti-
and thus be rendered more useful and
beneficial TO the people of the city of New
York and the neighbOring counties.
l have also received a letter from Mr..
which he describes the nature of the con-
ditions to which you refer, TO wit. that in
addition to the condition that the land
conveyed by you to the state should be
held for use a public park, it shall also
be provided that if the state or any person
or corporation under its authority shall
hereafter condemn or seek TO condemn
other land in Orange County belonging to
You or TO your descendants. the land
which is the subject of your grant shall
thereupon revert to you or TO your heirs.
Permit me to express my deep gratifiCa
ilon at this generous action on your part,
in carrying out Mr. Harriman's wishes,
through which there Will be supplied a
nucleus for the development of highland
park of rare beauty and charm which will
prove of inestimable value to the people
Of the state. and particularly to the multi
tudes cOngregated in our greatest city.
There can be no Worthier benefaction than
To protect the scenery of this region from
raVaee and to create public park, at the
very door Of the metropolis. where may be
afforded opportunity for recreation and
enjoyment amid unriyalle surroundings
stimulating alike to the love of nature and
the sentiments of patriotism
Great as will be the pleasure of the peo-
pie at the announcement of your gift, ]
am sure that in the years to come there
viii be a constantly growing appreciation
of its Importance to the state and of the
liberal disposition and farsightedness
which prompted it.
/ shall take pleasure in recommending
TO the Legislature that appropriate meas
ures be enacted to provide for the accept
ance of your gift and its use by the state
for the purposes you have indicated.
With high respect. I have the honor to re-
main, very sincerely yours,
CHARLES E. HUGHES.