QUESTIONS OF POLICY 



75 



operative relations with that board. This all recognized as 

 desirable — indeed, necessarj^, for the harmonious execution 

 of the Park Board's plans. 



"At the meeting ]\Iay 7 it became evident that longer de- 

 lay would retard the work of the commission. Previously I 

 made inquiries as to Mr. Munn's character and qualifica- 

 tions. The replies from, and statements of, those I thought 

 most competent to judge were conflicting. I was told that, 

 while employed as town counsel of East Orange, and later 

 by the freeholders, his attention was mainly given to politi- 

 cal or party affairs and that he was extremely friendly, and 

 most valuable, to the traction companies when they wanted 

 new legislation or additional franchises. 



In this dilemma of uncertainty I left the meeting re- 

 ferred to. The question was pressing for solution. Mr. 

 Shepard and I came out together and boarded an Orange 

 car. I then stated directly to him the result of my inquiries 

 as to the two candidates, and my misgivings about Mr. 

 Munn. That, as I seemed to hold the balance of power, I 

 felt it "doubly incumbent that no mistake should be made 

 in the decision.^' I said to him : 



"Mr Munn has been your close neighbor for years. You 

 must know him thoroughly well, his character and all about 

 him. In this park enterprise you have now an equal re- 

 sponsibility with me. You are the older man and have far 

 better opportunities of judging whether Mr. Munn will 

 properly fill the requirements of that position than have I. 

 I am suspicious of him and in doubt as to what is best 

 to do." 



The answer was in these words: "I have known Mr. 

 Munn for years. He has been my counsel in other matters. 

 If this expenditure of $2,500,000 was all of my own money 

 I would not think of employing any one else but Mr. 

 Munn." My reply to that statement was equally direct: 

 "If you now say that to me as my colleague in this great 

 undertaking I will withdraw my opposition at the next 

 meeting and vote for Mr. Munn's appointment." He as- 

 sured me that was his conviction. I then repeated my 



