New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-17
SLOWER HAS A DREAM
Park Commissioner Talks with
Morgan About Purple Porphyry.
DISCUSS CESAR'S BATHTUB
Would Put Rare Stone in Gen.
trail Park Pavement So Every
body Could See and Wonder.

DOQy COulu see ana WOnder.
1t was Caesars bathtub," a purple
porphyry antique much distressed Of late,
that drew Park Commissioner Slower and
]. Pierpont Morgan together for dis-
oussion on the possibilities Of obtaining
that variety of stone at the present time.
The Park Commissioner has developed a
yen" for an antique piece Of porphyry
that has the shade he desires, and It's all
in the interest OF the public, though he
personally has a love for the old purple
stone.
The Commissioner sat in his chair In
the Arsenal yesterday and told how his
interest In purple porphyry had led him 70
see Mr.. Morgan.
I'VE had a most pleasant talk" said
the park official. 'for Mr. Morgan, as I
was aware beforehand, had a great In
teres; in antique porphyry. Indeed, he
showed me piece.
He took me into the rotunda Of his
library and pointed to a beautiful piece
OF purple porphvry. II was set In the floor
and was Ave feet square"
The Commissioner remained silent a
moment, with his eyes on the floor, as II
looking again at that piece OF porphyry
in the rotunda of Mr.. Morgsn's library.
Then ne explained his zest for "Cesar's
bathtub'' and his interview with the
hnanoier. 80
It was all in the hope Of getting piece
Of porphyry the color OF the tub. to be part
OF O. pavement design in Central Park at
the, base Of the Bethesda fountain that
the Park Commissioner had made bid
for II. .'-s.--
And, Mr. Morgan seemed interested In
the plan Of the Park Commissioner, he
averred. p. .E O..
But the bathtub Of Cesar A local
dealer, the Commissioner said, had tn
formed him he could have It Tor $500.
1T is just the color and has the an
tidue value / DESIRE" said the Commits
sioner, thoughtfully.
He was quick to correct the impression
that he desired to place the whole tub
In the park. He meant, he added, to
slice II Jg and thereby get the pavement
slabs he desired
But the price was too high. Mr.. Nor.
gan told me It was a hard matter anyway
at the present time to get a piece Of
antique purple porphyry except at large
price. and hard TO get at all. Why. a
piece made over into a vase, now on dis
play in a shop IN this city, cost mint
OF money.
And this Is my scheme" said the Com
missioner, TO place the purple porphyry
a.. 10 a., he IaaIyv, bot mil Ia
composed OF red brick, pink granite and
purple porphyry. But 900 was too much
and so passed up the oathtuo.
MY purpose in searching for an an
tlque piece OF porphyry Of the shade
have mentioned is TO have some stone in
the park where the school children Of to-
day and OF tie future can, 80 and stand
Oh It. and think, pf It's, ,YoEdsEfyl history.
MIR. Morgan told me he had stood on
the purple porphyry stone in ST. Peters
in Rome, where the Emperor Charlie
magne was crowned on Christmas Day in
the year 500.
The present scarcity Of that stone
abroad, when II has any antique value,
was commented on by MIR, Morgan, and
others have spoken with have been Of
the same opinion. I was offered a sec
ond piece by the same persons who want
ed 20 sell me Caesars bathtub for $4,000,
for the sum OF $1,000, but II was faulty"
The Park Commissioner told the 4nan-
ci.r what his plans were in regard to the
Bethesda fountain pavement. For
loug time il has been his desire 10 sup
plant the present asphalt arrangement
that Is sadly split up, with a pavement
mosaic the conception and the color scheme
Of which were born in the Commissioners
own mind. lie has long sought for proper
materials to complete the design before
letting the contract for the laying Of T.
Not even now, after months OF search for
the purple porphyry and the proper brick
and stone, has the Commissioner realized
his purpose.
But haven't given up the idea Of get
ting porphyry." he added. Il went 10 Bos-
ton to look for some there in the antique
shops, though I was not successful 70
tell the truth about my visit 70 MaSsa..
chusetts. have found that there are
three qiarries in the Bay state whers
porphyry can be obtained, but from lack
OF appreciation for that kind OF stone the
quarrtes are not worked. They are at
Maiden, saugus and Marhlehead. am
going TO investigate and will visit each
OF the quarries In an effort 10 get the
kind OF porphyry desire. and il possible
will do so. Then shall give up the idea
of an antique piece because OF It's cost
and use q piece guarded IN this country