$100,000, I will undertake to raise by private contributions an equal sum, 
so that the grounds and buildings may be progressed rapidly to completion. 
hese expenditures will, in my judgment, obviate the necessity of ask- 
ing further issues of corporate stock for several years. They will enable 
us to meet the demands from the public schools for the classes of children 
who desire to study at the Garden, which we are now unable to meet, and 
will also serve to complete and throw open the entire Garden for the recre- 
ation of the general public; in other words, will make the whole of the 
large investment of the City available for the public good. 
Very respectfully yours, 
Signed ALFrep T. WHITE.” 
The reply of the Comptroller, under date of May 6, 1915, was 
as follows: 
“May 6, IQI5. 
Mr. Atrrep T. Wuite, Chairman, 
Committee on Botanic Garden, 
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 
Brooklyn, New York. 
Dear Sir: 
At a meeting of the Corporate Stock Budget Committee yesterday, the 
proposition contained in your letter of April twenty-sixth regarding the 
completion of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden work was considered. 
I have been authorized to say to you that the Committee will accept the 
proposition you have made; it is understood that $200,000 will complete 
the work. I will be very glad indeed to discuss with you further details 
of this matter. 
Very truly yours, 
(Signed) Wm. A. PRENDERGAST, 
Comptroller.” 
A letter of May 11, 1915, from Mr. White to the Comptroller, 
in reply to his communication of the sixth, contained the follow- 
ing paragraphs: 
“Referring to my letter of April 26th and your favor of May 6th in 
reply thereto, I am pleased to inform you that I have secured by private 
subscription One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), to be given to 
the City towards the completion of the buildings and other development 
of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, on the understanding that the City will 
appropriate an equal amount of corporate stock for a similar purpose. 
shall be prepared to collect and turn over to you the entire contribution 
from private sources at any time you may request. 
Although almost the entire sum of $200,000 will be needed for the com- 
