New-York tribune., 1911-03-23
WAR ON PARK ROWOY!SM
Commissioner Slower Gets Help
of the Police Department.
MORE PATR0LMEN ON DUTY
Citizens Union Protests Against
Proposed Big Playground in
Central Park.

Park Commissioner Stover and Police
Commissioner Cropsey have joined forces
in an attempt 10 protect the parks OF the
city. In announcing the desire Of CommiS'
,ioner Cropsey 10 cooperate with HIM II
protecting the parks Commissioner Stovei
said II meant the end of rowdyism
Following an appeal to Commissioner
stover by residents Of the MOrningsidc
Heights neighborhOod, protesting against
the "deplorabe condition Of Morninsside
Park and asking that order be maintained
there. Commissioner Stover conferred with
the Police Commissioner and Mayor Gay
nor. As a result Commissioner Cropsey
wrote Mr.. Stover that he wished to do all
in his power 10 help the Park Commis-
,ioner IN his efforts TO protect the parks
and 20 prevent disorder IN them
Commissioner Cropsey tells me he viii
place more police in those parks where
vandalism has been rife" said Mr. Stover
"As IL is, IN many parts Of the city patrol
men must try TO protect park as veil as
residential property ina consequence. six
hundred geraniums and other plants were
stolen from Washington Square last sum
n1er and two supporting posts Of the music
stand We're sawed i'm two by vandals. In
&orningsiGe and Riverside parks dozens Of
benches were thrown over the walls signs
demolished and rowdyism prevailed to an
alarming degree
Mr. Stover gave orders 10 Captain Car
son Of toe Arsenal station, Yesterday after
noon 70 allow no one on the lawns ot Cen
tral Park until May This orGer VIII a.
feet all park property under my jursdic-
ton" said Mr. StOvcr. for lawns were
destroyed last spring IN at the parks nN
persons tramping over them when the sol
e.,fs .rl fft.. NET aFrrIF ~ g.
The Citizens Union sent 10 Commits oucr
Stover yesterday protest against the pro-
posed playground in Central Park sane
fioned last year by the Board of Estimate
and advocated by John PuTroy Mitcre!
Alderman Schloss and others. The Citizens
Union believed IL would do great damage
10 Central Park 10 develop large play
The protest was signed by Henry Mosko-
vltz, chairman of the parks committee.
Among other things II said.
In behalf Of the Citizens Union Of the city
nf New York 7 beg 10 urge you not 10 pro-
ceed with carving out the plan embodied
In the resolution Of tho Board Of Estimate
and Apportionment adopted on July I. 1910,
providing for an elaborate development Of
Fairgrounds on the site of the upper reSer-
voir between 9th and 100th streets I'm cen
trail Park. We understand that discretion
IN this matter rests with YOU. and We urge
that you oppose any such plan o. diVcrting
Central Park from Is proper function
Ihe opposition to pOpulariZinC Central
Park IS not based upon stupid conserve 70
tiSm. In the new movement for popu.ariz-
ing the parks some OverZealOus advocates
have omitted 10 recognize the importance
of green and beautiful landscape and good
resting places as an important function Of
s. public park. These are functions Of CEN
fral Park for which IL was laid ont. and
which u has met and should continue 10
stroyed by the invasion oC Il playground.
Although Park Comm issioner Stover has
made no definite statement regarding his
attitude toward the proposed playground. IL
was learned 81 the Park Department yes
tercay that his playground development
programme did not include any recommen-
ostions regarding this one