New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-03-30
vANDALS MAR STATUES
Farraqut. Memorials and a
Fountain Suffer.
SLOWER UNABLE TO EXPLAIN
Says Only Way to Protect Things
in Parks Is to Put Fences
Around Them.

Not only have vanials recently done much
damage 10 the Farargut statue, in Madison
Square. but Park Commissioner Slower said
Yesterday that 81 least two memorials had
been badly cut No and one Of the fountains
on Riverside Drive had suffered at the
hands Of such persons.
About two weeks ago one OF the park en-
ployes reported the sword straps Of the Ad-
miral Farragut statue missing II - The
second time the straps have been removed
since its erection. II was thought that
mischlevous youngsters hal been the van
dals. but It is believed now that the
sword straps we're taken and sold by older
persons.
II have consulted with Herbert Adams.
tho sculptor" said Commissioner Slower
Yesterday. and Mr.. Adams. who was
closely associated with -Gaudens. who
executed the Farragut statue. SAYS there Is
a plaster cast Of the statue. II was among
other pieces al the memorial exhibltioh
OF Saint audens's work at the Metro
politan, and shall communicate with Mrs
Saint-Gaudcns in an effort TO replace the
straps correctly. II will cost. | have bceh
informed, 500 or more TO do the work.
Commissioner Stover said he had seen so
many acts Of vandalism lately that he was
at loss to ascribc the reason for the
activity OF the persons bent on marring the
statuary Of the city. IOafers use the mar
row. benchlike seat in the front Of the Far
ragut statue as a lounging place at night
during warm weather The statue was
erected in 1891 by private subscription. The
bronze figure is 81 heroic size and the ped
estal on which It stands is of granite. The
concave wings of the pedestal are orna-
mented with mermaids and maritime sym
bos.
"rhe Socum Memorial Fountain. on the
East Side" said Commissioners Slower. mas
been so badly damaged that members ot
the Slocum Memorial Committee have de-
cided to change the style of the memorial
go as to do away with the drinking f"nn-
tain. ! have signihed my Willingness 10
help protect IL by high fence. which Is
the plan contemplated by the committee.
II will then be situated in a grass plot ana
thus protected from vandalism. ] reported
the condition OF it to the committee. II -
streaked with deep marks and the smooth
surface OF the stone has been scratched NJ
10 such an extent that the lettering has
been injured.
Commissioner Slower said the fountain on
Riverside Drive erected BY al association
Of women had received the sam" shabo'
treatment from vandals.
The only way to protect anything IN the
marks is to put a high fence around H.
said the Park Commissioner. The IL hung
chang bronze tablet back Of Grant s Iomo
would have been stolen long ago " tner1
were not a high, sharp-pointed fence around
". The japanese have presented orofl"e
tablet which is to have space pack o.
the tomb. and It. too. will have to. % IN.
closed i'm such fence IN insure us Sat'':
Go,ppIissioner slower said ono nf the
worst pieces Of vandalism during this wave
Of II was the cutting down of a fine tree IN
High Bridge Park. H.
THE guilty persons have never been dls-
covered H. he said "out TIE police captain
Of that precinct has not Lot up IN ms sesrcn
for the persons responsible for saving
down the tree.