210 FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 
the opposition and all those under corporation influences 
favoring a railroad on one or both of the avenues, the state- 
ment had just the reverse effect. The experience in Hast 
Orange the year before was in many respects repeated. The 
method of Manager David Young and the tactics of Coun- 
sel James B. Dill there, in sowing the seed of doubt and 
suspicion as to the commission’s intention, were again ac- 
tively though quietly promulgated. The contention that 
Central avenue at least “would never be made a parkway” 
was continuously and with increasing aggressiveness re- 
peated, notwithstanding the promises held out in the second 
annual report of the commission for 1897, issued early in 
1898, and as quoted in Chapter IX. This report 
confirmed the official map made public early in 1897, indi- 
cating both avenues as parkways, by the statement that “a 
system of parkways has been determined upon which forms 
the final feature of park development.” This was also ac- 
ceptable to many as conclusive that the commission could be 
relied upon to defend its own plans, especially as in this 
same report, in asking for another appropriation of $1,500,- 
000, this statement (page 18 of the report) was made: “But 
for the more perfect development of the parks, for the ac- 
quirement of some further lands to improve the outlines of 
these parks, and especially for the expense of parkways, the 
need of which becomes more obvious as the system is de- 
veloped and appreciated, the commission estimates that a 
further sum of $1,500,000 is needed. And this sum is, in 
the estimation of the commission, all that ought to be ex- 
pended for acquirement and development of the system as 
laid out and designated.” 
NEW APPROPRIATION FAVORED. 
These implied promises, following those theretofore made 
regarding the parkways, were considered a definite pledge of 
the commission, and the bill authorizing the additional ap- 
propriation having been passed by the Legislature and 
approved February 21, 1898, was favorably voted on by the 
