New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-21
Prick W|THDRAWS OFFER
Influenced Thereto by Opposition
Evoked, He Writes Mayor.
GAYNOR EXPRESSES REGRET
Slower Declares Only Small
Body" Objected to Removal of
Lenox Library Building.

| Henry c. Frick informed Mayor Gaynor
yesterday that he had Withdrawn his offer
to remove the Lenox Library building and
choose, at his own cost.
In a letter he wrote to the Mayor, Mr.
| Prick said:
In my letter to you on May q. offered
| the city the old Ienox Library building
| re-erected on such a site as the city might
determine upon. | was prompted thereto
| by me consideration OF the historic and
architectural value Of the old building and
| by my desire TO have II serve some useful
| purpose.
| In view of the discussion and opposition
which my offer has occasioned and the
| possible unsuitability of the building for
the purpose for which II has been sug-
gested, beg TO withdraw my offer.
Mayor Gaynor's reply was as follows:
Dear Mr. Frick-Your letter withdrawing
( your generous and public spirited offer to
take down the LenoX Library building
stone by stone, and re-erect IL in Central
Park FOR an administration building i'm lieu
or the old building which we are trying
now to exc out for that purpose Is at
hand. ! have heretofore thanked you for
your offer. end now desire to express my
regret that you feel constrained to with
draw It,
or course, I admit that the treatment
which your offer has received in certain
quarters is annoying, but | am sure that
all the rest OF us appreciate Il at its full
value The result will be that the city will
have to build a new building at its own
expense very soon, as the old one Is UNI
sanitary and unfit.
w. J. GAYNoR, Mayor.
Thomas Hastings. Of CarreTe e. Hastings,
who is Mr.. Tricks architect, said that as
| soon as the contracts could be let the IL
brary building would be demolished Mr.
Hastings said IL was most unfortunate
termination OF a most generous offer.
Park Commissioner Slower referred to the
| gathering on Monday, which had protested
against having the structure take the place
Of the Arsenal. as "a very small body OF
persons"
There Is no doubt in my mind" said the
Park Commissioner that II the PROPOSE
ton had been placed before the city at
large It would overwhelmingly have been
favored. I have that much respect for the
opinions OF the citizens of New York. The
opposition to the plan was actuated by an
absurd idea Of park preservation. which
was a bunder OF momentous proportions.
II is most unfortunate that Mr. Frick
should have been forced to withdraw such
an offer because Of few persons"
The Park Commissioner said he would
ask, however for the granite pillars in
front Of the library. to make a playground
entrance with them.
Maybe out OF the great structure can be
saved that much TO remind the city OF 1t.
II would be a small memorial. but one with
q great deal OF meaning" he said
Mr.. PhiIbin Takes Issue.
Eugene A. PhIlbin, president Of the
Parks and Fairgrounds Association and
one OF the leaders in the fight to keep the
library out of the park, said he did not
agree with Commissioner Slower that the
people OF the city would have been in favor
OF the proposition.
~ talked with many persons" said Mr..
Philbin "and they were all against 1t.
have no criticism for Mr.. Slower as Park
Commissioner. but think that had not the
park side Of the matter injected itself into
the offer It could have been used as Bishop
! Greer said, for a library, and its giver
| would have had no occasion to withdraw
his offer"
Mr.. Philbin said he hoped the opposition
to placing the structure in any Of tho parks
would not be looked upon by Mr.. Frick al
opposition to the gift OF the building.