The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-29

There In q revelation in store for any
unotorist who has not visited Palisades
interstate Park, that wonderful tract
Of superb mountain country comprising
about $1,000 acres on the west side Of
the Hudson River. One part of this
great park embraces a twelve mile strip
from a point opposite 15sth street at
Fort Lee TO a point about opposite Dobbs
Ferry. Then there are the Hook Noun
tain properties embracing mountainous
lands and water frontage for, about four
and one.half miles between Nyack and
Hayerst,aw And finally there are
those Superb Bear Mountain and Har-
rinan sections $4,000 acres) extending
from the Hudson River west about sew
enteen miles into the Ramapo Noun
tains. The Blauvelt Rifle Range-about
$50 acres now devoted to the military
training OF the boys also II State
property.
An amazing amount OF work has been
done here by the Palisades Interstate
Park Commission. an unpaid. non-par-
tIsan board appointed by the Governors
of New York and New Jersey, respec-
lively. George w. Perkins IL president
OF this commission, and to use his own
expression the development OF this vast
acreage to meet the needs of motorists
and a host OF vacatiopists who do not
own automobiles has been his "Satur-
day and Sunday goal for the past nine
teen years"
How splendidiy this busy nnancier
has succeeded In a great public enter
prise that is not only benefiting thou
sands to-day, but will be even q greater
boon to countless thousands In the
years 10 come was revealed by a tour
through the entire reservation made
BY the writer last Wednesday as the
guest OF Mr. Perkins. Mr.. Perkins began
this work nineteen years ago ut the re-
quest of Theodore Roosevelt, who was
Governor of New York at the time.
While taking n rest at Lakewood. N. j..
Mr. Perkins was told that the Governor
wanted to speak to him over the long
distance telephone Roosevelt said that
something had to be done to save the
Palisades from commercial enterprises
that were beginning to blast away the
wonderful rock formation and that he
had decided that commission Of which
Mr.. Perkins was to be president should
take hold Of the situation and save, the
wonderful Palisades. Mr.. Perkins over
the telephone Immediately said 1t would
be impossible for him to accept such
a position because Of the demands made
upon his time and strength by business
The proposition was out OF the ques
In his inimitable way Roosevelt said
why. Mr.. Perkins, you don't seem 4
understand this situation. ! didn't tel
ephone you to ask you to become presi
dent of this commission or to argue thu
question with you. I Just telephoned Il
say that you already are president"
80 1 had to accept. you see." sale
Mr.. Perkins in recalling the incident
And Mr.. Perkins Is glad he did &C
cept. He and his associates have beer
responsible for the successful accom-
pllshment of one of the most remafkabl'
and comprehensive projects ever under
taken to furnish suitable recreation ia
cilities for the entire population of I
great city. Mr.. Perkins had been q
the work only a few months when n
too had the vision OF the future need
of the city's great population and real
lied how fully the development 81 grea
tracts OF land 30 close to New Yorl
would meet all requirements for year
10 come. Beginning nineteen years ag'
with a New York State appropriations o
only $4,000 Mr.. Perkins and his as