The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-10

Examination OF Witnesses I'm Regard 90 tho
Charges made Against the Commissioner OF
the Central Park.

In accordance with the notice published in the morning
papers Of yesterday, meeting Of the Committee
Lands and Places held At two O'Clock r. NJ in tfps
City Hall, TO examine INTO the complaints which had been
made against tho Commissioners OF thu Central Park by
various parties employed thereon charging them with
having instances reduced their pay and in others
Of having refused them their wages. There som,
seventy eighty persons present. among whom were
considerable number Of the complanants The following
members Of the committee were present.. l. Waugh,
W. H. Mansfield, II. ODonneil, H. O'Brcn, J. o. Hunt
The first witness examined was Mr.. Egbcrt l. Vele,
who testified substantially IA follows
am tho Chief Engineer Of the Central park, and
appointed by the Board Of Commissioners; appointed
number OF aborers myself To work there, but there
authority delegated in that respect; the greatest
Der employed time think did not exceed TOO
amounted TO some 800 and odd the pay rolls et
showed about that force at work all these not
ployed from the commencement; the force was put
gradually, but what time u reached the number hays
stated could not exactly tell the force increased
with the view OF having the work progress ~ RAPIDLY as
possible.
q. There time, say for the space Of four
Eve weeks about 700 employedg A. Perhaps there
little short of that numbersay 600 and odd can't tell
the precise force
q Were these men all paid their wages 70 the beet of
your knowledgcf A. Yes SIR; was present at the pay
men and knew they paid there may have been ono
two that were not, but there no intention to
tons having been made, but know that the men con-
rbuted something towards the payment for tools
that were lost, The foreman being responsible for their
safe kecpnghat for the tools Of each OF their gangs
when some of these we're lost their men we're sond 10
make subscriptions, but know Of no man having had
his money withheld by the paymser OF any other man.
Y Have you ever heard any report Of men having had
their wages withheld Never except as have stated
where the men subscribed voluntarily.
a. Can you tell the condition OF tho financial Affairs
Of the Commissoners-if they have received the fun
amount Of atty thousand dollars for the bondss A.
understand they have, but have paid about s5 oOo-
treasurer vs has s,ill small balance left
o Have you any knowledge who received those bonds
from the oomptrolleri A. have NOT am under thu
impression Il ~as the Bank of Commerce.
Y Canyo inform US OF any person who n ready Tn
take hundred thousand dollars of the city ii
present timer A. don't know, but have casually been
informed Of person; think the Mayor Of the city
told me.
o nd he did not tell YOU where you could ge, thcso
bonds casheds A. | am not aware
Have you any knowledge Of any persons Connected
with the Central Park having been the or means
Of the working men aSembng the Park and harrass
ing the Mayor and Common CouncilY A. No, sir
How many men can you put 10 morrow on inc farkr
A. The number Of laborers depends upon the amount
work decided by the Commissioners 70 o. done ana
upon my estimate Of what be gone 90 with; rests
with them what shall be done merely submit my esu-
mate Of what can be done 70 the best Advantage.
u Could you put two thousand men 90 70 morrow A.
could not put such large number oi men ~ soon
O. How long would s26o,ooo lsst-would i not last .
long tmcy A. Yes but depends upon the force Of labor
that could be employed, and that again depends upon
,ee N snow ana m lro Sr snd snow are on the ground
.. How many 4. cannO. say how many f the
Commissioners we're 70 g On win certain work could
hands 10 say how much work will be done.
q We want TO know 4 you can set 500 or 2 900 men
a, ortwc are 70 know for tn money Is ready2
A That is large number Of men 10 put this work ali
al once, with advantage would have to organize thu
work
o we'll We will gay a thousandS A. think that num-
ber could be put 10 work
o Can these men be set 70 work 10 morrow A.
would not like 10 take the whole thousand ~ morrow
q Could there be that number placed the work with.
In week9 A. should think there might
q 10 you know Of any member of the Common Council
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