New-York tribune., 1918-03-23
Hylan Forces Through
Project for Liberty
Loan Campaign
Mayor Assails
Protesting Artists
Suggests They All Take
Vacations Until the
War Is Over

The fight between the American
Scenic and Historic Preservation So
ciety and other similar organizations,
representing art, and the Liberty Loan
Committee. representing what it de-
clares to be a stern, wartime necessity
the digging of trench system in
Central Park-reached its climax yes
terday when Mayor Hylan consigned
"all art artists' to silence and seclu-
sion. and the Board of Estimate there
upon adopted the report of the COM
mittee on City Plan recommending the
trenches be dug
The final clash between the advocates
Of art and necessity occurred in the
City Hall where the board sat to hear
the pros and cons of the project to
duplicate in the North Meadow of Cen
trail Park a sector of the trenches held
on the Western front by American
troops. Representatives of the Lib
erty Loan Committee appeared to pre-
sent their case, but found ready
champion in the Mayor, who did all
the talking for them. Albert S. Bard,
,
and Edward II. Hail. secretary of the
American Scenic and Historic Preserva-
ton Society, alone appeared to oppose
the plan. They fought valiantly
against the odds, but had 20 succumb
when the Mayor exclaimed:
"All you art artists should take a
vacation until the end Of the war. The
vote: Mr.. Secretary"
Vote Unanimous
The vote was unanimous and the ad-
vocates of art and preservation left to
consider further steps to prevent the
mplishment of the trench digging
plan. They admitted there was little that
could be done Henry f. Gregory, coun-
sci representing the American Scenic
and Historic Preservation Society, said
taxpayers suit might be inaugurated
20 restrain Park Commissioner Will
lam F. Greil from "defacing park prop
erty," but the society had not consid-
cred whether OR not it would "endeavor
10 persuade some taxpayer to bring
suit"
There is some question whether
trench construction would be legally
construed as misuse of park prope rtv,"
said Mr.. Hall, the secretary of the
organization. Mr.. Bard said his organ-
zation was not contemplating any fur
Their action to obstruct the trench
digging.
Preceding the Board of Estimate
meeting yesterday, the Liberty Loan
Committee met in the Federal Reserve
Bank and drew up a letter to Mayor
Hylan. in which the purpose of con-
structing trenches in Central Park was
set forth. The request was made, it
was pointed out, because the proposed
exhibition. il is believed, will visualize
the war better than anything else that
could now be undertaken.
"The objection to the use of Central
Park the letter continued, Seems to
be based, first, upon damage that might
be done to the park, and, second, upon
the fear that this intrusion might serve
as precedent for private encroach-
ments upon the park after the war is
over. The plans of the committee con-
template protection of all trees and
shrubs in the vicinity of the exhibit
and the complete restoration of the
soil and sod, for which the city has
appropriated substantial sum of
money.
The digging of the Liberty trenches
will not desecrate but rather conse-
crate this ground--consecrate it to the
devotion we all bear to our sons who
are to-day fighting in the trenches of
france and to the sacrifices we are
prepared to make of all we have and
all we are"
Officials of the loan committee also
rointed out to the Mayor the vital ne
cessity OF conducting the coming bond
campaign not merely on a financial
basis, but on war basis During the
four weeks of the drive, it was said,
the task of the committee would be to
make the people realize the urgent
need Of sacrifice. and nothing could
assist that task more than the plan to
reproduce as we'll as is possible in
Central Park part of the line in
France, where sacrifice is supreme
Do you really believe it is necessary
20 cut up Central Park in order to
make the loan a success 2" asked Mr..
Hall after Frank L. Bowling had intro
duced to the Board Of Estimate the
resolution favoring the project and had
explained the purpose of the plan.
The construction of trenches will
mean that the North Meadow will be
closed TO the children for a long time"
Its better to close it for a while
han to permit the continuance of a
war in which they would have to fight
when they're grown up" answered the