210 FIEST COUXTY PAEK SYSTEM 



the opposition and all those nncler corporation influences 

 favoring a railroad on one or both of the avennes, the state- 

 ment had just the reverse effect. The experience in East 

 Orange the 3'ear before was in many respects repeated. The 

 method of Manager David Yoimg 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 189 T, 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." 



ls"EW 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 



