248 FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 
enlarged the whole question to a point where it would seem 
that something must be done by the commission to clear up 
its past record and present attitude as to Central avenue. 
“The counsel not only gives his own consent for a rail- 
road, but both in word and action gives an entirely different 
view and statement from what Mr. Shepard informs me is 
still the attitude of the commission, and some of the county 
papers—clippings enclosed—accept editorially the counsel’s 
view as representing the position of the commission.” 
A FREEHOLDER’S STATEMENT. 
No reply to this letter was received. On July 15, 1902, 
by request of Commissioner Brewer, I wrote him officially ; 
and as a member of the Joint Committee on Parkways, giv- 
ing the statement of one of the freeholders, made to me in 
the presence of a witness in Branch Brook Park the day 
previous. This freeholder, as quoted in that letter, among 
other things, said, he “‘was favorably impressed by what was 
said in favor of keeping Central avenue for a parkway (the 
afternoon the trolley resolution was passed), and, wishing 
to know the present attitude of the commission before vot- 
ing, went to Counsel Munn and asked him direct, ‘Does the 
Park Commission want the avenue for a parkway? Mr. 
Munn replied, ‘No, not that I know of’ A similar inquiry 
was then made of ‘Wally’ Ougheltree, of East Orange, the 
chairman of the Road Committee, who replied: ‘No. the 
railroad ordinance was before the East Orange City Council 
a long time, and no word of objection was ever received 
from the Park Commission, nor did any one appear there 
from the commission opposing its passage. Had they 
wanted the avenue they would have so stated to the East 
Orange authorities. The commission had made an indefi- 
nite statement some time ago, but their actions had not 
corroborated it.’ ” 
“The statements quoted from Munn,” I added, “are, as 
you will recollect, in entire accord with what members of the 
East Orange City Council positively stated and restated 
