GOOD CITIZE:NtSHIP helpless 233 



tion's way of thinking, both, as to the "verbal parkway'^ and 

 as to the early needs of a railroad on the ayenne instead. 

 The following letter is self-explanatory : 



"East Orange, Xov. 18, 1901. 

 "Essex Count}" Park Commission, Xewark, X. J. : 



"'Gentlemen — We are advised that some members of the 

 East Orange City Council understand that your counsel, 

 Mr. Miinn, has stated that the Park Board is really indif- 

 ferent to the proposed nse of Central avenne as a parkway. 

 This behef on their part is doing much harm. 



"We do not pretend to say what yon may be disposed to 

 do under these circumstances, but, if it is possible, we think 

 it would be useful for you to give to us, or to the City Coun- 

 cil, soon, a statement from Mr. Munn which would set at 

 rest the report in question. 



"Mr. Munn must feel precluded by his duty as your 

 counsel from saying anything which tends to discredit the 

 good faith of your honorable body, and we cannot think 

 that he will in any way object to making it clear that he has 

 not intentionally said anything which, if properly under- 

 stood, could mean what has been asserted. 

 "Eespectfully and truly yours, 

 "George F. Seward, Frank H. Scott, Frederick W. 



Kelsey, Henry W. Bulkley, Joel F. Freeman, William H. 



Baker, Henry M. Ward, Executive Committee of the 



Avenue Association." 



PARK board's reply. 



At the Park Board meeting the day following, November 

 19, on motion of Commissioner F. M. Shepard, the follow- 

 ing reply was authorized transmitted by the secretary : 



"The Park Commission holds that its attitude should be 

 judged by its official acts, and not by the expression of indi- 

 vidual opinions of its individual members, or its officers. 

 The commission thinks it has, from the beginning, made its 

 attitude clear, and that it should not be asked to respond to 

 every suggestion or rumor or understanding that may be 



