New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-11-11
THE CENTRAL PARK IMPROVEMENT.

THE CENTRAL PARK IMPROVEMENT.
Councilman WAUGH's Committee on the Central
Park subject met again yesterday Notwithstanding the
passage Of the $3.50 600 appropriation, and co atnued
their Investigation. Tho following statements were
made:
David II. Hart, being sworn, saddle was Clerk to
the Commissioners of the Central Park; the persons
employed are paid under the direction OF the Treas
mer; from the reports of tho Chief Engineer, there
appear to have been 600 700 men employed on the
PAX at one time; that report wss published tina
number of might have been on for nearly 90 days;
don't know about men being discharged aud different
mems names being on the payroll; the Board OF
Commissioners received one communication from the
Common Council that i remember of; the press OF
business at the time prevented their answering IT.
there no action taken in regard to 1t, and
since then only one meeting of the Com
missiOners has been held; the Bank OF Com,
nerce had part Of the Central Park *onds, aud all
the money used was drawn fiom tlk bsnk; most OF
the petitions presented TO the Board came through my
bands; an to certain extent acquainted with the
financial matters of the Park; don't know exactly
the amount of money Of the first appropriation une1'
the credit Of the Park Commissioners; presume tnat
the expenditures have amounted to over SoO oOU sloce
last Spring; don't know anything about men from
Westchester County being employed on the PARK
there has never been estimate made by the Board
to the amount to be expended the next hye months;
there was paper Of the kind before the Commission
am not in the habit of peddlng any petitions 70
members of the Common Council nor don't know OF
any being copied, except for the Finance Committee.
Question by the CHAIRNAs-Hss any member OF
the Common Council ever to your knowledge. e1acted
any remuneration from the Commissioners A. L
have no knowledge of anything Of the kind but have
heard Of exactoLs Of the kind being attempted put
that is only hearssy and / must refuse glvicg
the author of the assertion, as it was confidential;
don't know the number OF men that could be employed
on the Park.
John L. Bailey, being sworn-Wss assistant engi:
neer first employed under the old Commissioners and
since III der the new ones; resigned few days ago;
ko cd 1y truo tha nav RAJ
of $50 per month"; had presented his bill in October;
the Commissioners did not refuse to pay il, but said
they were rot responsible; there have come to my
knowledge reductions in pay the men to 81 %, and
chiefs from 81 500 to 81 200.
j. b. Bacon, being re-sworn, was informed that
fuller statement from him was required. He had
charge of the fourth division OF the Park, and had not
received any pay since the 4th oil January there
were about 200 men employed in the Summer by the
new Commissioners, aud they were paid off by the
Commissioners, but paymen to him and Others was
refused called twice Mr.. Green about it; the last
time Mr.. Mcintosh was present, and he was tolc he
woud be paid the next day; subsequently no was told
that be could not be paid; but owing to resolution
passed by the Common Council, he received pay on
the All Of November previous to this one of the en-.
gineers had come TO him to ask him what he would
take for bis claim, there seemed TO be movement
to buy up the claims; had been engaged Of 81 800
yesr and, without any knowledge, was cut down to
81 200 without receiving any previous notice: WAS
told by Mr.. Hogg that the salaries were cut down;
told him that he would not be satisfied with less than
tie former amounts refused under the circumstances
10 sgl the payroll was told he could not help him.
self but must put up with the salary the Commission
chose 10 fix on; October 90 be at the office,
and was offered his pay at 5000; a roll made on
the books; was threatened with discharge on the
LIST of Noyembe if he did not accept this amount
of salary, but he still refused subsequently,, about
Nov. p he met Mr.. Hogg who said he would nvesti-
gate and know why the payroll had been made out al
5000; Mr. Hogg found that the reduction in pay had
been ordered by Mr.. Vele; it then offered Mr..
Mcintosh, to pay 200 and from necessity he took
this amount, but under protest; believes that it was
his easry on IL payroll from 81 200 to 5000; the pay
Of the az men on the roll had ALEC been Ked at lover
pce; 10 his conversation with the Commissioners, he
found them all at "loggerheads' and unwilling to
agree on ANYTHING. The Chairman here presented
hi for stakes. which was supposed to be wrcngl
Witness said the bill W. all correct and had been 10
cuned By the old Commissioner; have not brought
n, srs;nt the CITY, nor an assignment Of hs claim,
except a nal portion Of il to rsise money.
The CaAlR announced that he had nothed the Con-