New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-15
If WAS GAYNOR'S CHOICE
Now Supervisor Of Recreation
Encounters Many Snags.
phIsE QUESTION OF FITNESS
Investigators Willing to Give
Him Trial Before They Be-
gin Active Opposition.

~ appointment OF William J. Lee, a
....'..,srt Of Ernest Hsrvier OF the Demo-
-. Union. as Supervisor OF Recreation
~..s nvt sousrely up 10 Mayor Gaynor yes
.,rssv for IL was learned in recreation cir.
-, ,hst Park Commissioner Slower had de-
80 20 have Dr. Henry Moskowitz. Of the
rauntowr Ethical Society. IN the place
..,sd by Howard Bradstreet While he
IA No, care 20 speak about the appoint
go, Commissioner Slower would not denv
this report
--ha activity OF playground officials. fol-
,,,rirg the sudden announcement that Mr..
10 had been appointed has been coneen-
.-,,ed or two points-the fitness OF Mr. Lee
so- the Job and the question who ap-
,oi7tsd him As TO the former there IS
all doubt but the playground and recrea-
Az, societies. settlement workers and the
r,vn Service Reform Association are seek
Ing in numerous ways 10 learn of AR Lees
athletic past. The latest body to join the
Investigators vas tho Downtown Ethical
soc,etv. which became active yesterday
IN the opinion OF the playground officials
rho learned OF Commissioner Slower S
choics ~ Dr Moskowitz. MAYOR Cfaynor
has added complications.
We could not believe that Mr. Slower
had favored the appointment Of any man
not thoroughly familiar with playground
conditions" said the head Of one OF the
.oc,sties yesterday. no man IN this city
has the playground situation so clearly IN
r,irc as NJ Slower and he would not, We
'seel assured. favor a man to be az the head
a. such a vital work If he were not surc
ol his qualifications.
I'VE DO not believe Mr.. Lee fitted for the
race BE has 70 use his own words. been
~ IRE contracting business FOR eight years.
Before tt1t time re was active in gym
ussiur work There rs not a playground
oHeIsl IN The city who knows anything
s.out Nr Lee, except what he has said
since assuming his new duties
AZ official % one Of the playground as
,oefatfons intiuated that the eight on Mr..
rse would not be wsged AT full force until
D. had had q chance % show his fitness.
81 was also pointed out that until the Far
Sons difficulty was settled 10 would be no
r-c t. places the matter before Mayor Gay
rr- and Commissioner Slower.
.f las becu a delicate matter for Com
Ms, .oner Stover." said this official. but
81 must re realized by him that even though
b should remain silent about Mr. Lee his
position eventually would become known.
Tho statement Of Mr. Leo that he was
identified formerly with a number Of local
athletic societies. was the author Of a
,erios II boxing articles I'm a publication
edited by Beruarr Macfadden. that he had
rubI.shc articles showing the exercises
tst would reduce weight and that he Is
a Spanish War veteran nas had no marked
eaec, on playground and recreation socie-
ties
So far. however. the West Side Children
Playground and Recreation Conference has
been the only body % make signed pro-
test against the new supervisor. referring
-a 1Im as Billy Lee. the famous boxer.
KELSEY GOES BACK TO HARTFORD
Upon his willingness 10 waive all extra
6rion proceedings. George p. Kelsey the
...--,,or aesfetanf cashier of the Hartford