New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-01
NEW ROADS IS PARK
NEED, EXPERTS AGREE
Many Commend Commissioner
Slower for Plan to Build
Modern Highways.
PROBLEM A PRESSING ONE
Man Experienced in Arbori-
culture Also in Demand Tor
Tree Planting Work,
A. H. Spencer Says.

A. n. spencer 0dJo'
In outlining the work of his department
fo- 1912 in The Tribune yesterday ram
coromise,oner Slower said that IN MS
opinion the most important worn ~
undertaken would be the laying OF ihou-
ern roadways In Central Park ana III NV
oreido Drive The Park Commissioners
remarks found commentator III """'
quarters yesterday.
Alexander II. Spencer, head of the PARIS
advisory committee: Edward ;. CorheH'
Of the National Highways protective "'
cietv. and Richard w Meade, president oi
the New York Transportation CofnpahS'
were among others who agreed WIN ''ie
Park Commissioner that road puiiuihs
was of the utmost Importance.
Mr.. Spencer said:
81 think the matter of providing better
roads IS the most pressing Of the larger
park problems at the present time. IL u
imperative we should have good roads
In view OF the planting next year OF
hundreds OF trees by the PARK Depart
ment, Mr.. Spencer said it was false econ
omv on the part OF the city In railing 10
proyide horticultural superintendent III
the borough of Manhattan. 1t was Cd
vious that it should be supeflhtenueu oS
man Of wide experience IN hor'iou''u'
and arboriculture
..-rba Park Commissioner intends "
plant many trees next year. sain N,I
spencer. While ! am in no way cr''i1'9-
ing any officials Of the department. - -
impossible at the present time ior '''e
trees To he planted under scientihc suPe'
,r,ordence In view of the increaseu
flaming I'm 1913 il is regrettable the Budget
committee did not see III to provide sue"
man for the park force. Ihere Is "o
such man on It at the present time.
Edward :. Cornell. of the Nauohal
Highways Protective Society. said IL was
better to have five miles Of good road 'ha'
would last for many years than TO have
nftv miles that would last ioi ie"
months The present method when th'
park Commissioner has had 10 resort TO-
that Of patching the roads instead OF re-
building them. Mr.. Cornell thought was
trying to make bricks without straw II
was a matter Of serious consideration AT
the present Uine.
Il have spoken with the Commissioner
on A number Of occasions said Mr. COR
nell about the condition of the ROADS
and he has told me that because ne had
no money To build roads with he had to
use his own men for repairing them as
best he could. Central Park Is our finest
park and IL should be- the pride OF the
metropolis. II certainly stands to reason
then that 1t should have good roads.
Mr.. Cornell said the parks were made the
show places I'm Europe and were equipped
with excellent roads. II was an example
that should be followed here.
Richard " Meade. of the New York
Transportation Company. said he had re-
Gently seen the Park Commissioner about
the Riverside Drive road surface and he
agreed with the Commissioner that 1t was
Of the greatest importance that IT should
be- rebuilt.
The stages on the drive have accom-
modated approximately 10000 persons
this year" said Nj Meade. and ! think
that is conclusive proof that a good road
should be maintained there. Tho wear
and tear has been attributed TO the stage
traffic With a first class road there
would be no such wear and tear. Look at
Fifth avenue. for instance. II can with
stand the bus traffic because IL is first
class road I do not believe the buses
are responsible for all they are accused
Of The sightseeing cars must be taken
into consideration also when trying Ia
place the blame for the worn out road
surface There would he no chance to
! complain OF noisy stages If the River
side road was i'm first class condition. but
any vehicle would make noise as II Is
now"
Mr. Meade declared the drive had been
crowned up" so much In past years by
the Park Department In repairing the
road that il was dangerous for traffic in
many parts. He thought the city should
| realize that first class road was neces.
sary on Riverside Drive and should an
propriate the money necessary To build IL