New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-19

GHO. II. PURSER CONDEMNS THE SYSTEM.
The Commissioners who were shown to have
rcce we'd large sums of money In excess OF the legal
rates were anxious to explain matters and show theI
connection with the Commissions TO be correct
throughout Geo. II. Purser whose statement appears
below said that the books showing the awards and
assessments in many street openings were not tna
although they are now open for inspection the De
partment OF Public Works advertised in the news
papers by the Commissioners showing the decision OF
the Commissioners and persons interested invited TO
inspect the books, and show cause why the amounts
awarded and assessed should not be confirmed by Tie
supreme Court.
Nr purser is the clerk of each Of the many Street
opening Commissions now in existence ID this CITY, and
mast No one knows more than he either of the system
Of the manner in which II has been manipulated in
tiUciy charged by some OF the real estate men that
part of the responsibility for the evils OF the system
rested upon Mir. Purser Nevertheless, the reporter
called upon him statement Of the case as II APP
poared from hi point Of view After making very IN,
In Yesterdays TRIBUNE Mr. Purser said that the pro-
posed reduction OF Commissioners fees was unjust as
that contemplated by the law OF 1907;
Experts were frequently called IN as appraisers, ana
thcr valuations varied Appraisers were not aIwa9s
employ ed. he saG, hOr always necessary IN tie 1rst
Riverside Park opening, under James NJ. SWeeny and
Young Tweed, Heaven only knows how many were eur
ployCd In the second opening there was 10 appraiser
though S5COO0OO worth OF property were involved But
at bc Mr. Purser said thai the assessments were too
large. ,. ,
the most part OF utterly incompetent men, The Cor
pOraion Counsel their legal adviser only when
asked for opinion. He Is not charged Win giving
his Cpl mon when asked The COmmissOi meet,
u necessary that there should lie only
one clerk. in order that their work should be
uniform. There must be some ODe to keep these ig-
uOraut irresponsible IN order Most al these Com
mission, made by the Ring and the appointments
part Of the patronage OF the RING. Ihey were
appointed by two Judges at the insugation OF the
Ring. There is no reason continued Dir.
Pur-er. "why j should De the clerk OF 40
Commissioner My work IL very hcavY, ana
would be much lighter IL all the work was in the
these separate bodies with great care TO prevent neon
Siscncies creeping in One commission, composed
lahuTOus conscientious men, cOnd do all the Work
and do then Is done al immense saw
us now are the professional politicians, who have no
property and no ideas Of property or OF right and
Mr. Purser admitted that the real work practically
the hands Of set OF men, He Is clerk u all the
Commissions there but hye surveyors usually en-
piuyed and about tue same number or appraisers Tue
commissioners reality, only meet and draw pay, eX-
cent in instances where their work is OF real
value. Admitting the necessity Of "a change IN
tho system, Dir. Purser thought that care
Should he exercised in maturing new
one He thought that It was not for the interest OF the
10 declare open az once all the streets ncuue on
The map Of the Central Park Commissioners. They
10 be graded ana put IN order al once as the
resulting from Waut Of repair. They should
he opened only as the interests Of properly or
the necessities OF the city should require.
III they were opened at the expense 10 the city
Justify mourning IT, Streets should only be Ouened on
The petition Of adjacent properly owners, or Tor satS-
factory reasons one Commission shOu!d do Inc WDOle
twotGirds Of the Work being merely nominal