New Britain herald., 1915-08-11
WALNUT HILL HAS
MANY CHAMPIONS
Continued on Page Eleven.)

cannot be raised things are apt to run
smoother.
Laying aside the legal question,
Judge Gaffney felt that it was unwlse
to make the proposed change. he
recalled that such a proposition was
made years ago and for very good
reasons was soon dropped. Mr.. Erwin
left a fund for the establishment OF
a home for aged and INDECENT women
residents of New Britain. He did not
specify that it should be called the
Erwin home. The matter was left
omen but the title has been given it
and Judge Gaffney thought that it
might be that Mr.. Erwin had the
thought in mind, but through modesty
did not specify it. New Britain has
other parks in the making and Judge
Gaffney felt that the city might APP
propriately name one in memory of
it's chief benefactor.
Professor Camp Opposed.
Professor David N. Camp, New
Britain's grand old man, when asked
his opinion on changing the name of
Halnut Hill park to Erwin Park, hes
itated not an instant in expressing his
views IN OppOS1tlOn.
II would hesitate considerably be-
fore making the change. While l
think and personally feel that Mr..
Erwin Is deserving of great deal
Of credit and recognition for his gift
which made it possible to improve
the park and make it as attractive as
it. Is today, there are other gentle
men who were as instrumental as he
in securing it for the city, said Pro-
lessor Camp.
Continuing, he remarked that, lit IS
true Mr.. Erwin did much, but then
again there are others who have
contributed their share. Such .lon
as DR.. Woodruff, Fred Stanley, DR..
Brown and William H. Smith did a
great deal for the city Of New Britain.
I think that at the time of the pur-
chasing Of the park Fred Stanley, who
was then mayor of the city, did more
towards securing it than Mr.. Erwin
as he occupied public position and
was therefore able to do SO. At that
time Mr.. Stanley's idea was to secure
it for waterWorks more than for a
park.
Were Mr.. Erwin living today he
would, I feel sure, be most strongly
opposed to changing the name. EIe
was a close friend of mine AMI
know it would be farthest from his
wishes. Mr.. Erwin was a very nod
est man and did not wish to have his
name made conspicuous" .. =.
Concluding, Professor Camp said,
1T is true that he did much for the
city but it would be an injustice to
the other men to have the name
changed"
-. Would Hesitate. .t.@"
Frank H. Johnston of West Main
street, president of the Connecticu:
Chamber of Commerce and an ex-
president of the old New Britain
Business Mems association, has the
following to say:
II believe there is good deal OF
merit in the claim that the Erwin
name should be given recognition it
any change from the name Walnut
Hill park is to be made. However,
if I remember correctly our first
mayor, the Hon. Fred ]. Stanley, a
progressive and far sighted citizen,
made the park possible by gift Of
land and the laying out of the grounds
and to him should be given credit
for this greatest of Fairgrounds.
The name Walnut Hill park is so
associated with those of us who have
always lived in New Britain that
should regret personally to see any
change whatever made" ....... So.
Would Have to Consider Matter.
President Alix Stanley of the
Stanley Rule & Level company Is
not prepared to state his opinion OIL
the proposed change without giving
the matter thoughtful consideration
Il have heard considerable talk about
it at different times but I am not
prepared to say off hand just what
my views on the subject would be.
L would have to give the matter care
full consideration" he stated.
FaVors Change in Name.
Chief William j. Rawlings of tho
police department is strongly in favor
OF changing the name. Il think it.
ought to be changed. If ever a mans
name should be perpetuated it is that
OF Cornelius B. Erwin" he says.
Let Well Enough Alone.
City Clerk A. l.. Thompson called
TO mind one of his favorite notices,
when asked his opinion as to chang
ing the name of Walnut Hill pa,k. He
said: Let Well Enough Alone.
Colonel Thompson felt that this mot
to aptly answered the proposal. Mr..
Erwin was indeed a great man, COM
mented Mr.. Thompson. I believe in
honoring his name and memory, out
let it be done in some other way.
Walnut Hill Park has stood the test
of time. The name is half a century
old. 1t stands for something, let it
continue"
MCCARTHY ZIMMERMAN