The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-14
The "Reform" Beard OF Park Commits
siOners-Acti0n Said TO Have Been
Taken at the Meeting on Tuesday
changes In the Working
F0rces-Opening Of Ma
combs Dam Bridge.
MEETING CT THE FIRE COMMISSIONERS.
s~~->>->~~>>~>~>~~~>~>~-~~~>~~
The Financial Crisis Gripping the
Department.
A Chicago Devastation Possible at ANY limo in
the Upper End-Disablsd Horses and
Insufficient Reserve Apparatus.


on the columns In the old City Han yester-
day was disturbed by fancy over
coats on official backs. The echo in the rotunda
was awakened very seldom-scarcely, II It abby
any careless Ur reckless laughter rom champagne
coated throats. The basement OF the new Court
House was most dismal In its dampness and deser-
tion. The dismal proprietor OF the dismal cigar
stand seemed more dismal than ever as he stamped
up and down In front OF his stand making all pos
sbie noise with his heels, as II trying to make him.
SELF believe that somebody else was walking with
HIM. and at the same time ST. aiming to "draw'
cigar which the damp air, probably had sofened
and toughened.
There were some who undoubtedly regarded this
frigntul and disgusting quetude with much anx-
lety, who regarded 1t, IN point Of TACT, as only the
calm before the storm. 1t may be safe to say that
some Of the officials in the Department oil Finance
were not too well pleased by the state OF the
weather aud its probable attendant circumstances
THE SMALL PIPEns
were looked for. The wet weather would cause q
cessation OF work, and the men, embOldened by the
demonstratveness Of the committee which 'inter
vIewedn the Comptroller and Clerk Cady on Tues
day, It was feared might appear IN force and un-
less their wishes were acceded 10 might SO far
forget themselves as to make some
HOSTILE DEMONSTRATIONS
than cure. and Dlue-coated preserver OF the
peace was stationed inside In the room OF the
County Bureau, while few others guarded the
Railways and stairways. A delegation arrived
shortly nefOre noon, and were prepared to do some
very PLAN talking, II nothing else. IN regard to
the lack OF funds. When they arrived the
Water Purveyor, Mr.. Moan A. Chllds, the
handsomest men In the Department. OF Works.
was sent for, ana alter his arrival consultation
was held, and the men we're assured they would be
paid before the close Of the present week. With this
OBLIGED TO BE SATISFIED,
and they departed During the day callers came from
time to time, but not In such number as on several
days previous. Deputy Storls was kept busy hunting
| up data about claims OF all sorrs, some Of which
pressed he preserved his usual equanimity tnroug.
out. except at one time, when he aid frOw Geeplh
that the burrows on mis- brow pulled the dImples out
the DEPARTMENT or PARKS
did have meeting on Tuesday afternoon. This Is
now the only hoard or department OF the city gov
eminent which does not permit the press to be-
present at its meetings.. The meetings are neld In
idea OF what Is done said ut the meetings is such
as Is given below, furnished by direction OF the
Is transacted than the officials choose to state can
not be determined. The record OF proceedings Of
Tuesdays meeting, as prepared for the press and
public, Is as fOlOws:-
The Board OF Commissioners Of the Department OF Public
Parks met ~ stated session on tue ah lust, two
the char Commissioners Dillon, Green Fields Church
The minutes of the previous meeting read and ap-
Several communications making donations to tho Park
Museum collections received, and, having been
From Comptroller of city. calling for statement Of
20 ysm ss4r. hs 10 s xp
prepare and submit, Me sane 70 the Board
'e o for s if 20
the Sr Ro % ~ ans e H sS
with resolution asking for information relative to sIpend
os II sa @ Y COD,
Of an answer thereto which was laid GU the table and
From Of property l5s.h street requesting ha
81 aSo % River
the Hudson river watch was ordered done BY con-
Of
" S. %.aey for The
which been hereafter be ordered paid By
On the motion OF Mr. FIELDS the following resolution was
Resolved Tha, is the duty Board to keep in It's
employ large iorcs practcable during the coming
winter TO insure the speedy compilation Of The pube
Resolved be authorized to dispense
n s r. %. S ss the
he also hs ss; Of such
q present the
Y. T. ~ oe. 81 ossa &
On Al twenty minutes past four r. NJ the Board
The meeting II will be seen, occupied two hours
and twenty minutes so that II is natural to suppose
Debating DEB sT club. ' Recommendations making dona-
tons TO the Park Museum were received" IL ap.
uns of making nc
but what their donations were Is not given.
1t Is stated that the Treasurer reported the con-
dtion Of the finances but the condition Is not made
On the resolution offered by Mr.. Fields The fact
has leaked out That there was
STORMY TINE;
that ne wanted to Keep the works works, going on ana
was ere opposed that ne ca ian s Wanted to
record, ana that finally they yielded with rather
bad grace. This, OF course Is an er parte state.
ment; hut as the press was not admitted into the
meeting the full tenor OF the debate cannot be
gwen. Mr. Fields resolution. however, may be rem
dered OF avail by the action OF the resolution az
forwards introduced by Mr.. Green as the treasurer
OF the department may dispense with the services
Is "as large as practicable" under existing circum
stances.
RADICAL CHANGES
in the personnel OF the department. The small
parks throughout the city have been placed under
tine direction OF Mr.. Olmstead, while Central PARK
has been placed under the super,ntendency Of the
the park. large number OF the mechanics and
iaborers have been dropped, and the clerks in the
Offices are generally trembling lest the guillotine
may soon fall on their Devoted necks.
The Commissioners announced yesterday after
MAcoMB's DAM BRIDGE
will be opened to public travel to-day and will re-
main open until Monday next, and that by Satur-
day, 23d inst, the repairs may be completed.
THE FIRE COMMISSIONERS
met yesterday morning In stated session and In their
somewhat dull looking Board room. The members
were all present and all evidently In earnest.
Commissioner Hickman presided. ana sat at the
round table. Near him sat the why little
Secretary, ex-Alderman White, then Commissioner
(Genera Shaler with his hair brushed to point
over his forehead his legs crossed aud his eyes
closed, and peculiar expression OF easy indiner.
ence on his features; but he several times showed
that he had his ears Open Next TO him sat Commits
Qoner Blair. lie lounged back In his char. with
One hand IN his pocket, the other arm leaning
on tho arm OF the chair, while ne endeavoreo W
t0yOe hs eyetooth out with his thumb na or force