The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1938-10-10

| ever been In politics." he said re-
Gently. Tive acted In the way felt
should, and have let the people
decide for themselves II they APP
proved Of my actions. / have never
considered what effect my actions
would have upon the continuance
Of my public career. I have done
what I thought was best for the
country. I believe In personal
honesty and national honesty, and /
think there are things more pre-
ciouS in the world than gold. A
principle Of government Is a prin-
ciple Of government, irrespective of
time" Mr.. Glass has pointed out
that public man who asks only
whether q thing Is popular or UNI
popular, "instead Of seeking to know
whether ii Is right or wrong, Is a.
coward to begin with and q menace
always"
ROBERT MOSES
The career of Robert Moses, COM
missioner Of parks Of New York
City, presents q startling answer to
the ancient query what can one
man do?" What Mr.. Moses has done
for the park systems Of New York
City and New York state, the high
way systems and the recreational
facilities, has In II touch Of the
humanity Of Jacob Kiss, the con-
structive genius Of General Goethals
and the grandiosity Of Louis XIV.
AS head Of the park system Of the
State, he was instrumental In set
ting aside or developing seventy
state parks. In five years hc has
almost trebled the number Of play
grounds in New York City, brought
morihund parks TO life, built SWIM
ming pools, StadiumS and @ new
ZOO. AS chairman Of the Triborough
Bridge Authority, he has flung q
dazzling ribbon OF highway across
four waterways, two islands and a
labyrinth Of crowded streets. A
president Of the Long Island State
Park Commission since 1924, he has
created recreational areas on the
ocean and inland which have re-
volutionized the conception Of pub
lie parks and seaside resorts; and,
by O system of magnificent high
ways, set In parkland and sheltered
by skillful planting from the drab
commonplace Of Suburbia, he has
brought city and country within
easy reach Of each other. For the
family Of simple means he has de-
veloped clean beaches and thousand
acre Fairgrounds such as formerly
only the privileged could enjoy. Out
Of O swamp and q mountain Of ash
es, he has made o site for the
Worlds Fair and, ultimately an
other park for New York City.
Whatever his hand has touched has
achieved beauty, dignity, and kind
which would have been particularly
gratifying to the man In whose
honor the Roosevelt Medal Is award
ed.
Mr.. Moses has the combative
qualities OF Theodore Roosevelt and
his work has offered him ample
opportunity to exercise them. HIS
efforts In behalf Of the public have
brought him into conflict with pow
erfui individuals and groups whom
he has fought with the crusaders
grim satisfaction, and almost In
Variably either defeated or convert-
ed. In most Of the enterprises OF
which he has been the leader, he
has served without compensation.
In q department Of the city govern
ment which In the past has too
often been regarded as an inconi-
parable trough for the faithful, he
has conducted vast public works on
principles OF practical I efficiency
without reference TO politics. Many
Of his projects are self-liquidating.
Mr., Moses began his public service