THE PARKWAYS 193 
An aroused public sentiment in East Orange was, however, 
doing its work. When the conference between the com- 
mission and the Township Committee as arranged for Feb- 
ruary 26, 1897, already alluded to, was held, it was ap- 
parent that something of a change had come over each 
board. The commissioners had a meeting an hour before 
the appointed time. All the members then recognized that 
something more was demanded than the previous glitter- 
ing platitudes as to the parkways. 
Commissioner Shepard was delegated to speak for the 
board, and did so. A formal statement was agreed upon. 
It answered directly most of the questions that had been 
asked by the committee. Sketches were shown of the pros- 
pective treatment of the parkways. There was to be no 
obstacle to the construction or repair by the local authori- 
ties of gas or water pipes. Sprinkling would be consid- 
ered a part of the maintenance. The transfer “could not 
in any way interfere with vested rights,” either of the 
property owners or of the municipality. The question as 
to trolley roads on the avenues “should be decided by the 
property owners and the municipal authorities before the 
proposed transfer,” for, with the present width of the ave- 
nues, “it would not be expedient for the Park Commission 
to accept the care of the remaining part, with the attend- 
ing expense, as it is too narrow to admit of parkway treat- 
ment, and the expense attending the care would not be a 
proper use of park funds.” Willingness on the part of 
the commission “to do everything in its power to add to 
the existing attractions in Hast Orange’ was expressed, 
and a general spirit of co-operation on the part of the 
board was extended. 
WHOLE SITUATION GONE OVER. 
The Township Committee conferees were also to all ap- 
pearances in a friendly and receptive mood. The whole 
situation was quite fully gone over. The question of widen- 
ing the avenues was adversely considered, owing to the 
prohibitory cost. The policeing and lighting matters were 
