New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-22
TO SELECT SEASIDE PARK
Fairgrounds Association to Form
a Committee of 100.
"0NLY WANT BEST PLACE"
Eugene A. Philbin Says Organl-
zation Is Not Committed TO
Rockaway Site.

Eugene \. Philbln. president Of the
Parks and Fairgrounds Association SAID
yesterday that the idea that he ana the
association were definitely committed 10
Rockaway as seaside pleasure GROUND
for the citys tired millions was erroneous
Mr.. Philbin said that the association was
merely trying 10 select the most suitaole
place In all particulars, and that 10 one
locality had been decided upon.
1T has been stated that we are TO hold
monster mass meeting in cooper
Union," said Mr. Philbin but that is not
So Jacob A Riis has been delegated by
the association 20 select a committee OF
one hundred prominent citizens to look
into the question This city is probably
the only seaport in the world Of any con-
sequence which has no real seaside park
The opportunity IS here now. and II may
not be here later on. The site once con-
sldered for park at Rockaway was worth
81. 600, 0c) then; it e now valued at FOWL
GO. and don't think that is a fictitious
value. either. The committee will nave
the aid Of our clerks and we have the
assurance Of sufficient money 70 carry on
the work
that the letter to citizens asking them
10 BECOME members Of the committee does
not exclude any site already spoken or
but simply states the extreme need OK
seaside park
THE committee will probably be able to
get 20 work in a week or two he SAID
THE Board Of Estimate IS AZ present nav
ing plenty Of work with the SUBWAY STU
alton. which has blocked everything else
and the committees work will depend
somewhat on what the Board Of Estimate
does. ! am told that its committee Is IN
vestiGating the city's rights in connection
with the Dreamland property, on 'oney
Island. or course. the matter OF cost VIII
enter largely into the selection. II we can
Get a ute at Rockaway for less money
and as cheap transportation facilities tha'
should be chosen But an this Will have
20 he worked out. II the city should put
rnunicipaI ferries from Canarsie or Sneep9-
head 10 RocKawav and make the rare
cheap all the way from Manhattan TINS
would help Rockaway."
William II REYNOLDS. Of the Dreamland
companv saws that Controller Premier
CAST. of the Board Of Estimates commit
tee. seems in favor Of the Dreamland park
John Purroy Mitchell. President OF the
Board " Aldermen. Is chairman. and Bor-
ougb President Steers is the other member.
This committee will report back to the
| Board Of Estimate.
| Il will see and talk with the members OF
this committee" said Senator Reynolds
Il told Mr.. Prendergast the other day that
the Dreamland pier could be repaired at
comparatively small cost, and that II would
afford a fine landing place. The slide or
the shoot-the-chutes cost US $4,000 and the
tank cost $4,000. The chute can be fixed.
and tho tank. which is Of concrete, is IN
| fine shape now and would make splendid
/ swimming pool The temporary buildings
| on the Dreamland site have only one year ;
/ lease, so the city would not have 70 pay
The people who invested in Dreamand
nut over g. $4,000 in IT, and in seven years
/ they have not received any interest or any
| OF the principal. They do not want 70 con,
! tinue in the amusement business we VIII
| sell the site cheap without condemnation,
| or II the city wishes 10 condemn II We VIII
| fix an upset price on II. go
One man who il In close touch WIN tne
! situation and knows many OF the Dream
/ land directors said
The park II at Coney Island. will not
cost such an enormous amount l know
well that Dreamland VIII never oring more
/ than q 10000. and I think the city can
/ get all of the land as far as West lOtn
street for below 100000, unless l am very
much mistaken.
"The transportation 10 COney Island IS
! cheaper than 10 ROckawav, even when one
/ takes the long trolley route 20 the latter
/ Mace. And Couey Island IS nearer II the
[ five-cent fare Is established 70 COney ISL
and. I can't see how the city can consider
/ the Rockawav proposition against the
Dreafulaud site.