The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-21
SAYS ACTION TAKEN
 AT CLOSED MEETING
Decision. Based On Rec |. concentrations Of Olm-
 = stead Brothers
HARRISON VERIFIES PHILLIPS STATEMENT
Declares He Would Not Preju- idce Case Until Both
 Boards Acted

The park and recreation board has voted unanimously against the plan to erect the proposed new public library In Woodrow. Wilson park, NJ. F. Phil lips, vice-chairman of the board, dis closed in a signed statement Saturday night. The action was taken at a closed session last Monday, details Of which were not made public Phillips revelation came as distinct surprise, as the newspapers had been led to believe no action had been taken. He declared the boards decision was basd on recommendations by Olmsted Bfos., of Brookline, Mass, landscape ar lists employed by the board. He em- l.hatically denied he had sought to in- tluence the artists report, as charged by William l.. Harrison, city commits yioner and park board chairman, and quoted letter from them bearing out Lis denial.
 Phillips also cited correspondence showig that J. c. Whiting, a repre- sentative of Olmsted Bros, who made several trips here, had never indorsed the park site. It had been published repeatedly that Whiting and his firm favord the use of the site!
 Entitled To Facts.
 Declaring that the public was en- entitled to know the facts, Phillips dis cussed the. site problem at considerable length, quoting several letters and tele- grams and ieveling several sharp thrusts at Chairman Harrison, in indirct re- ply to the latter's statement of last week which accused Phillips of bad faith mitigating the park site.
 Phillips said the park and library boards met jointly last Wednesday and discussed the situation; that the library board members expressed disappoint- ment at the Olmsted report and the park boards concurrence, and that in timations were made that a reconsid eration might be asked later. In view of the possible reconsideration, he said, he took the floor and stated his req sons for opposing the park site. Olmsted Bros. said the use of the and would establish a dangerous pre- cedent.
 Additional reasons assigned by Phil lips for his opposition were that the park was given in trust to the city to c be used only for park or as site for a state capitol; that the city has no park space to use for buildings of any description, and that the park board contemplates the early Deautification 0nd equipment of Capitol park for use as a civic center.
 Would Give $1O,OOO.
 Evincing his keen interest in the ,li- brary project, Phillips pointed out that that he told the library board he would gladly join with 19 other citizens and give $10,0O0 each towards the pur- chase of a suitable building site else where.
 Pointing out additional reasons for his opposition to the park site, Phillips declared he would remain on the boa rd as long as his health permits and do his duty .'fearlessly, as I see it, without taking nasty action"
 Commissioner Harrison said, when Phillips statement was called to his at- tention, that he did not give out the details of the Monday meeting because he did not wish to prejudice the case until both the park and library boards had acted. He said he told Phillips it would be satisfactory for him to re- lease the story at any time he saw fit. Harrison will issue further statement later.
 MT. Phillips statement follows in part
 While very greatly dislike to ap- pear in the press in any controversy. 1 am compelled to do so in connection with my position regarding the library building being placed in W oodrOw Will son park, owing to other articles ap- bearing in the press in the last few days, in connection with this matter, in which my name is freely mentioned.
 "A letter from Olmsted brothers, Brookline, Mass, dated September 12 to- the park and recreation board, has been received and repeatedly referred to, but it has not been published, and the public is due to know the contents of that letter. It is as follows:
 OlmStead Letter
 Dear Sirs-Since Mir. Whiting's last visit to Birmingham. we have been studying the design for Woodrow Will. son park, giving especial attention to the question of placing the new library building in that area. We have en. deavored to face the question fairly from all points of view, bearing in mind the various conditions and interests in volved and trying to reach decision which will be for the best interests of the people of Birmingham. Our con clusion is that the library building should not be placed in Woodrow Will son park.
 Since we know that you were anx ious to have our decision as soon aS possible, we sent you last night tho following night letter:
 As result our study for design Wood row Wilson park we are convinced il would be a mistake to permit library building in that area. Our reasons fol this decision are given in letter we are sending tomorrow
 Our first and most important ar Glment for making this decision is ont of public policy. Experience with similar problems in the past has led
 (COntinued on paNc l6.l