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THE AMERICAN MONTHLY REVIEW OF REVIEWS. 



A BIT OF ROADWAY IN LETl TIWOKTH PARK. 



wishes to preserve the falls in perpetuity and 

 in their original splendor for the benefit of 

 the public. 



While still in doubt as to what he should 

 best do, he learned of the work of the Amer- 

 ican Scenic and Historic Preservation Society 

 of New York City, in protecting Niagara 

 Falls and the Palisades, and in the purchase 

 and improvement, through State funds, of 

 Stony Point and Watkins Glen, the society 

 having become the custodian of the two latter 

 reservations. Entering into communication 

 with the trustees of the society, of which Dr. 

 George F. Kuriz is president, and Edward 

 Hagaman Hall the executive secretary, he 

 held several conferences with a committee 

 from the board of trustees, the result of 

 which was his decision to give the property 

 to the State as a public park, retaining for 

 himself a life use and tenancy, with the right 

 to make further improvements at his own 

 expense, the custody of the property after his 

 death to pass into the hands of the American 

 Scenic Society, which should have the full 

 control and management of it. 



Matters had reached this stage just before 

 the Christmas holidays in 1906. The pro- 

 posed gift was then made known to Governor serious danger was threatened to the proper- 

 Hughes, who in his message on January 1, ty in the future, because power companies, 

 specially recommended that the proper legis- through new legislation and permission from 

 lation be undertaken at once. A bill pro- State officials, might be able, in spite of the 

 viding for the acceptance of the gift was in- gift, to acquire the right to dam the stream 

 troduced, but it encountered opposition that above the falls. " With all due respect," 

 resulted in an amendment eliminating the wrote Mr. Letchworth to a friend in Al- 

 American Scenic Society as the eventual cus- bany, " I cannot accept the amended bill, but 

 todian of the estate. From this amendment must regard a vote for it as a vote not to 



accept the gift." A 

 few days later the ob- 

 jectionable amendment 

 was stricken out, and 

 the original bill passed. 

 The name of the park 

 was then changed by 

 the Legislature from 

 Glen Iris to Letch- 

 worth Park, " to com- 

 memorate the humane 

 and noble work in pri- 

 vate and public chari- 

 ties to which his (Mr. 

 Letch worth's) life has 

 been devoted, and in 

 recognition of his emi- 

 nent services to the peo- 

 ple of the State." 



A visitor to Letch- 

 worth Park, as it now 



INDIAN COUNCIL HOUSE IN LETCHWORTH PARK. exists, Would probably 



