New-York tribune., 1911-04-07
PARSONS NOT DEPOSED
Commissioner Slower Asks FoS-
dick to Investigate.
SIX "REASONS" FOR ACTION
Park Board Head Tells Why He
Wants Architect Dismissed
-Borglum Bitter.


Samuel Parsons. jr. landscape architect
of the Park Board. was not deposed yes
terday at the meeting of that body. At the
request Of Park Commissioner Slower, who
introduced a resolution recommending the
dismissal of Mr.. Parsons, action was de-
fcrred. pending an investigation by Ray
nond y. Fosdick Commissioner of Ac-
counts. The announcement was not unex-
pectcd by some OF those present. for before
Commissioner Stover arrived at the meet
ing 1t was predicted by a number of the
Parsons adherents that no definite action
would be taken
II told you So said one. in a tone loud
enough to be heard almost where the park
commissioners sat az their large table. when
II had been put up TO Commissioner Fos-
dick. And we were ready for the fight
said another. with disappointment.
The regular routine proceedings over, the
Parsons matter was brought up by Park
Commissioner Slower who asked Clinton
Smith, secretary OF the Park Board. to
read the six reasons" why the former
had recommended the removal Of Mr.. Par
sons These had been prepared. Mr.. Stover
explained, 'in view of the public discussion
on the resolution ] am about to Introduce
end the misstatements which have ap-
peared over various signatures. The
reasons" which Mr.. Slower said were not
~charges." were as follows:
The recommendations which he has pro-
posed 70 me for Central Park and the parks
generally of Manhattan have been but few
and OF little value.
Instead OF furnishing mo with the host Of
suggestions and plans for park improve
rcnts which their present condition de-
r1ands. he rather has been more active In
opposng thoR which have made.
Conceding that my suggestions have not
been such as a landscape architect shoulo
make. he has contributed but little or real
value toward the maintenance and admin
tstration of the vast park grounds. Tor
which / am responsible.
Under his guidance / was led to present
20 the Board Of Estimate and Apporlon-
ment request for an appropriation OF 81
10000 for the restoration OF Central PARK;
which, on second consideration, was found
SO lacking in supporting data that nave
requested the Board of Estimate and Ap-
portionment TO withhold action until am
able TO present 10 IL a reliable statement OF
the parks needs. TO be furnished oy tne
federal government expert u - hdyHa-
Mr. Parsons's services 10 other cities are
not relative to the fact that central fark
has been allowed by him TO deterlorate Tor
want Of the kind of attention our own PARK
architect should have given. and
That Mr. Parsons - per cent or absence
from duty Is not Il slight matter dPPeo0
from the fact that he has recorded nln-
self as excused" and from the condltion
OF the parks which for their restoration
demand from him and all OF us even more
than q full days time ana WORK
Immediately after the reasons had oeen
read Commissioner Slower said Commis-
sioner Fosdick would undertake an inves-
,igation and the report would be sent 10
,he Mayor Then Snowden Marshall. VINO
was there to present Mr. Parsonss SIDE OF
the matter. moved forward TO speak before
the commissioners. but Gutzon Borslum'
chairman Of the Central Park Rehabilta-
ton Committee, was the first to he recos-
nized
Are these all the charges against Mr..
Parsons" asked MIR. Borglum.
Commissioner Slower jumped 10 his feet.
Il don't intend TO start any discussion on
his matter" he said excitedly. 1T has
been laiq over. that's all.
Won't YOU say whether there are any
other charges against Mr.. Parsons" per
sisted Mr. Rorgum.
"No." said Commissioner Stover 'mpa-
rently. YOU heard the resolution. That's
AL FOR the present"
win he be given hearing on the
cUarges?' asked Mr.. Borglum
AlftSl EldNlN llt VIII NCN ' 'iiilH4S'i'ii'i
stovers answer. as he sat down and
morued MS forehead
eorqlum Criticises Slower.
After the meeting Mr.. Borglum severely
criticised Mr.. Slower
"r think Mr.. Stover has done as much
damage 10 the parks Of the city as he can
do" said Mr. Borglum He is unfit for
the place and has no executive ability. as
I pointed out I'm my letter TO the Mayor
YESTERDAY What 7 want 10 see Is fair
treatment for Mr. Parsons. He would not
have It IF Mr. Stover had his way. It is an
underhand thing To- attack man Of the !
standing Of the landscape architect IN the
uay Nj. Slower has done. What satisfac-
ton was there in holding up the mans pay.
especially when lie had already worked
for it?'
The sculptor intimated that before the /
Parsons matter ended IL would mean that /
Commissioner Slower would bc ont of his /
place.
Mr. Parsons said after the meeting that /
Re had desired an opportunity to havo his I
side Of the case presented, hut in the light I
Of the turn of events ne could not say any
thing
Comrnis sioner Stovcr would not discuss !
the matter, saving thai he had said all /
that was necessary" He was in consulta- I
ton IN his office with Commissioners Hig- .
gins an6 Kennedy for an hour after the 4
meeting adjourned.
Mr.. Borelum insisted that before Comms- |
fioner Stover knew anything about il the |
Central Park Rehabilitation Committee had /,
sent ten samples Of the soil of Central Park |
20 the Agricultural Department in Wash |
ingtcn for analysis Stilwen d Goddne. |
he said. had made sixty ex-parte analyses |
- the soil Al bore out the findings Of |
Mr.. Parsons. he added.
NO matter which side Of the fence Mr. |
s,over Is on-whether he IS FOR popularza- |
ton to-day and against II tomorrow there |
g. one thing which will always make him |