QUESTIONS OF POLICY 81 
proceed in an undertaking of that magnitude, and that is to 
have the whole scheme laid out in advance before any com- 
mitments are made. In this way you can see the end from 
the beginning and at least approximately know at the start 
where you are coming out.” 
Those statements are now as clear in my mind as though 
Mr. James had made them but yesterday. At the next 
meeting I reported the conversation to the board. Mr. 
Murphy reiterated the answer: 
“I am here to spend that two millions and a half of 
dollars as I think best. Newark pays about three-fourths 
of the county taxes, and, as one of the representatives of this 
city, I propose to be free to favor such parks here or in the 
county as I wish.” 
On May 20, 1895, a conference was held with Landscape 
Architects and Engineers Messrs. N. F. Barrett and John 
Bogart, who had made the most original and suggestive 
plans for the first commission. On the recommendation of 
the committee on landscape architects—Mr. Shepard and 
myself—these gentlemen received their appointment and 
went immediately at work on data for the preparation, 
later, of landscape plans. Mr. Bogart was chosen with the 
view of his having especially in charge the various engineer- 
ing problems which it was soon recognized the commission, 
in carrying out the plans for such varied topography as ex- 
isted in Essex County, would have to solve. 
About the same time, Messrs. Murphy and Meeker acted 
as a committee in conferring with Mayor Lebkuecher to 
obtain his views in regard to the transfer of lands belonging 
to the city of Newark which might be desirable for use in 
the new park locations. Requisitions for funds were made 
on the freeholders—one for $5,000 on May 9—and promptly 
honored, and that board was advised that the commission 
“would probably require the current year $750,000.” On 
June 17 a conference with the Finance Committee of the 
frecholders was held. This was followed a week later by 
another requisition for $50,000, which amount was prompt- 
ly forthcoming. 
