New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-05
TO FIRE RUINS FOR AIR
One Place at Coney Island Where
Cool Winds Blow.
ANOTHER PARK ADVOCATE
James E. Sullivan Says Now Is
the Time. for City to Buy
Burned Area Cheap.

The ruins of Coney Island helped mate
rally 10 attract the hundreds OF thousands
Of visitors who swarmed the resort yester-
day. though ten days had elapsed since
the fire And not a few OF those who
PAUSED opposite the charred wilderness in
their heated progress up Surf avenue did
so 10 drink in thankfully the cool puffs OF
air from the water. which 10 the west OF
the burned area are debarred by a solid
line OF buildings. Some were heard TO ex-
press the wish that the whole waterfront
was open 10 give the stuffy little city OF
amusement shacks an airing.
Coney Island on a Sunday afternoon in
summer. when from 10000 to $4,000 New
Workers. crowd its narrow lanes and pack
its small buildings. comes near being as
congested and unwholesome as the lower
East Side on any day. So at least those
who are always fighting for more open
spaces in this city think. II is one Of the
arguments on which they base their plea
for the purchase by the city Of the burned
area
"Of course the city should buy II: there's
no question about IL at ALL" said James r
Sullivan last night Mr.. Sullivan is presi
dent OF the Amateur Athletic Union OF the
United States and a member OF the Board
of Education. He has been prominent adj
vocate Of more Fairgrounds for years.
I'VE don't begin 10 have enough play
grounds in any part OF the city" he con-
tinued. The history of Fairgrounds in
Manhattan ought to be read to the Mayor
and other members of the Board OF Esti-
mate. It's an object lesson in shortsighted-
ness. Twenty-Five years ago the city could
have afforded a comprehensive system Of
Fairgrounds in Manhattan. while now the
value of real estate makes such a dream
almost impossible Of realization. Here's a
chance now TO do for Coney Island. the
coney Island OF twenty-five years from
now what should have been done for Man
hattan-buy valuable land cheap and pre-
serve for all time TO the people the right
to breathe the fresh air from the ocean.
The city ought not only 10 buy every
acre OF the land which the fire swept but
an the rest of the beach. as opportunity
arises. This should be done for our chill
dren and our chidren's children. not 50
much for US, though we need It badly
enough. heaven knows. Why do they hest
tate when they get a real chance 10 do
something for the poor? I can't reason il
all out They talk Of the expense. but they
seem 70 find money readily enough for other
things that are not so urgent.
How large Is the tract-forty acres? That
would he plenty large enough for a regular
playground. for bathing and for recreation.
We ought TO get it."
Mr.. Suilivans name is the seventeenth
on the list Of those who have publicly ap-
proved the proposition that the city bug
the burned area In COney Island and add IL
to Seaside Park. To begin with. four Dor
ough presidents have come out in favor or
the idea-Messrs McAneny. Steers. Gresser
and Miller Four aldermen. too. have added
their pleas-Alexander s. Drescher John J.
Hickey. Thomas j. McAleer and John
HOertz. A number Of other aldermen are
known to approve the project.
Seth Low has said It would be an eX-
cellent thing. Canon Chase has come out
IN support Of it. Timothy
Healy. the labor leader is anxious 70 see
the purchase made: ard Richard Young.
former Park Commissioner of BROOKLYN. has
said that already the citys neglect 10 re-
serve the Conev Island beach front was a
piece Of criminal stupidity
Another phalanx OF four who are fighting
for the purchase are Homer Folks. score
tarv Of the State Charity Aid Association;
A. r. Schorer. secretary Of the Parks and
Fairgrounds Association Of New York city
Gustavus T. Kirby treasurer Of the Play
grounds Association of America. ana last
hut not least. William II. REYNOLDS, former
state Senator. who holds the land.
Tomorrow Alderman Frank Bowling IS
exnected 10 arise in the Board Of Aldermen
and introduce a resolution approving an
,,r~onr,,+ior or money for the purpose.