CHAPTER XI. 



A CHANGE OF CO^^I^IISSIOXEES. 



In the early afternoon of April 20, 1897, my former col- 

 league on the first commission, George W. Bramhall, called 

 me by telephone and asked for an appointment at my house 

 that evening. It was accordingly made. From the time of 

 our appointment on the first Park Board in June, 1894, 

 our personal relations had been cordial, and, in park mat- 

 ters, intimate. After April, 1895, when I was reappointed 

 on the permanent commission and he was not, we had con- 

 ferred on many of the more important park subjects. 



Wlien his appointment on the first commission was rec- 

 ommended it was recognized that he was a man of cultiva- 

 tion and taste in park matters ; that he entertained broad 

 views on that subject, and that, as commissioner, he would 

 have "no ax to grind" in bringing to bear on the problems 

 involved his experience and ability shown in other direc- 

 tions. This estimate of his qualifications was, I think, vin- 

 dicated during the two terms of his service as commissioner. 



UNDERLYING CONDITIONS. 



It may be well to here state the underlying conditions at 

 the time of the conference mentioned. My two 3'ears' term 

 as park commissioner expired that day. For some months, 

 even prior to the Munn dismissal incident, there were pow- 

 erful corporate and political interests, which for reasons 

 that may be readily inferred from the reading of the facts, 

 contained in this history, were averse to my reappointment. 

 This condition was materially accelerated by the contest 

 over the parkways begun the Xoveniber previous, and by 

 my attitude in insisting that the counsel attend to his duties 



