New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-01
DANTE IN INFERNO HERE
Poets Statue IngIoriously Scat
tered About Piers.
SLOWER AGAINST PARK SITE
Nettled by Indifference OF Gov
eminent at Rome, He lntimates
to Italian Delegates.

p.rL conuissjoner Slower considered yes
terday many arguments advanced oy
committee of Italian citizens Interested III
the erection of monument to the poet
Dante. At the end of the conference re
announced that he would not grant q Sue
until convinced 1t was for the best inter-
ests Of the city.
OF have not been convinced" said the
commissioner that the Italians as whole
want this monument In fact. the itaiia"
government will not participate IN Its cree
ton In any way and when you come 70
think that Dante was the greatest itaiial'
of all times. and the government does no'
care to take part in the unveilins OF
monument to him, It is best to CONSIDER inc
reasons why"
Among the Italians who saw the COM
missioner were Nadir J. Del Papa, C' A.
Ouattrocchi. +. C. Mirt and Theodore Pa
Jumbo. Carlo Barsotti the leading spirit
of the undertaking. was not present
Mr.. Slower asked the committee why VI
was the Italian government had not seeh
1T to send the statue to this country on
warship. He had been informed some
time ago that II was to come that way. ne
said
Instead Of that" said the Park Com
missioner, ut came on German vessel
No Idle Warships.
The Italians said that Italy was using all
her war vessels at the present time
The Commissioner then wanted to know
why the Italian government would not take
any part in the dedication OF the monu-
ment The Italian authorities would take
part. he was Informed by the delegates
when the suit Carlo Barsotti had brought
against certain individuals in Rome for al
legations they had made had been adJudi-
Gated
Mr. Slower said he understood that Carlo
Barsotti had brought suit. but 1t had not
been settled vet He was told 1t would be
continued in August.
In speaking OF his attitude regarding the
statue Commissioner Slower said:
Mr. Barsottrs friends say he has been in
strumental in having four other Itallan
memorials erected In this city. approved by
four park commissioners and by four
mayors. Now they want to know why
Dante monument and against arranging
for site on which TO place II.
Regardless of the four park commits
sioners and the four mayors, ! do not IN.
until ! see that its dedication VIII be Tor
the best interests OF the city and viii be
the unanimous wish OF the Italian resi-
dents
May Have to Pay Duty.
At the present time, Mr.. Del Papa said.
the statue and It's pedestal were separated.
! In fact, there are several sections OF the
monument on several piers awaiting the
action OF the Park Commissioner TO ar
range for their admission to the country
by the customs officials. Unless the city
accepts the Dante statue. 1t will have TO
be subject TO duty.
The Italians interested in the project
have named several sites which they think
would be suitable. among them being Bry-
ant Park. the Mall In Central Park, the
seth street and Fifth avenue plaza and
Long Acre Square.
Commissioner Stovcr declared yesterday
that he would not consider for moment
the Bryant Park. the 59th street or the
Mall suggestions.
Mr.. Del Papa said the steamship compa-
MES had yet charged no storage on the
Dante statue or It's accessories. but some
thing would have to be done soon.
The Commissioner promised TO peruse any
proofs In behalf OF the monument that
might be submitted. and the delegation said
II would submit some next wecek.