New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-22
A Plea FOR IDLE WORKINGMEN.

CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS
AND DELEGATION OF MEMBERS OF TIE LL0ls-
LArURE ELECT To DEVISE METHODS FOR TIL
RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYED LABoRERs-yIBWs OF
MAYOR HAvEMEYER AND CONTROLLER GREEN.
a delegation from the members elect 10 tne
Legislature from this city, composed OF Senators '"n
Fox and Thomas A. Lcdwith. and Assemblymen Spon
Ger, Wood Bign Waehner Leake, and Couchian, WHICH
upon Controller Green yesterday, for the purpose "
consulting with him the subject OF obtaining c"
poyment for the men who have been thrown
out OF work by tho financial crisis. After soho
desuory conversation relative 10 the project on manu.
the Controller said that he would gladly assist IN auo
effort to relieve the unemployed poor by any means u
his power but 1t question how that was TO NC ~
complished. The for the ensuing year. SAID me-
are already 81 per cent that Is to say where TAX
payer paid $3.50 last year he will pay $3.50 next year
Taxation ia therefore quite heavy enough. do ho''
continued the Controller refer alone TO the taxpayers
who millions but TO the poorer classes OF person'
who own ouly little property, ana VIM
are not able 20 bear any additional Outue"'
have had a careful estimate made as 70
the amount OF bonds the Finance Departments %
authorized to issue for public works. from which " APP
pears that 100000 authorized for the parks sooo"
for the Croton works sOOoOO for the docks anu
about 100000 for other works. have adyortsed i'll "
papers this morning for loans on bonds amounting "
s2,T7.OOO and not doubt that they will be IhAe"
readily If that ia not enough will obtain more.
Col. Spencer asked the Controller IL there was any
probability of raising money At once, 30 that men cou
10 given work in few days. II the capitalists ot tns
city could realize the distress which is now nancs'o"'
they would come forward at and take the bonds
The Controlled think they would. You must Kno"
that the regular payrols now very heavy ana tno
money has 10 be raised to pay the men as their STARTS
fall due. The public have idea that men have oeoh us
frou he o
there being no money to pay them This is miStake'
the pay-rolls of the Department OF Public WORKS ai
paid less than two days after they are received i
reasons for the dsmssas arc that the year mas 80 La
advanced INTO Winter that the weather prevents worA
from being done Tho department has still largo loruo
al work on the BoulevarGs aud on tho big ana SHALL
pipes and the number is increasing every day
Col spencerIt is represented 10 us that there are
certain contracts whichlwOud employ many men IL you
would accept securities given. would asK you /"
examine into them soon as you can
The Contradictions over 1000 laborers employer
on the parks, and IL more added think can pay
the rolls In regard to the contracts the CommsSye
OF Public Works sent to me 30 or 40 contracts ana nau
doubts about their being made accoring 10, cn
mt the Corporation Counsel advises Inc TO Sign tne cou
tracts and have already settled One-hat OF theih' anu
At his moment President wales Of the Department
Of Public Parks entered the room, ana MI. sP,noeti
asked him what aid he could gave TO the uAehPio!0"
Mr.. Wales-It is due that should say that the Con-
troller las thrown obstacles III Tie way ul III! "
parment We push forward certain works u lhe
money is raised to pay the men, The question OF (utis
dciion has bothered very much, and addtonl Ic-I
l6on required 10 define what belongs to the lepaI
ment OF Parks and what belongs to the Department OF
Col spencer-The object which our Committee has in
view is not legislation, out work Tor lAe lhu u ie
Legislature meets. Can you Oh can you MOI euPo!
Mr. Wales-Yes .,..
Col spencer-Wo have got TO support them or get
them work How many can you employ 80
Mr.. WalesI could give work to from 900 70 lco0 men
ia 10 be
Parks, ana could employ men III the bcNe"cIe
quarry, cutting stone TO be used in the spring ,
= Col Spencer intend to call on the Board OF A.
dermen next Monday, and ask them 10 adopl
rouiriug that the public work given out by the day
The Comlnittse then withdrew and visited Comms-
sioner Van Mort, TO whom Col. Spencer stated the
object OF their visit. Commissioner Van Mort rrPl9d
that he had now about $500 men employed, ana nc
could easily double that number at once lie coII9
employ sui further number Of men II the Board or
Aldermen would order that the work be done by DAY
hoped the Finance Department. would negotiate tho
bonds and raise the money, but Thought that much
money would not be raised until Jan l.
The Committee then waited on the Mayor, who said
This difficulty which We are now agVfns under IS Oh
recent origin, caused by the pane anu nlacl' eioaI
rassment. In 1857 Fernando Wood, who was then
Thought mat iO 900 barrels OF flour be distributed
But IN lew weeks tbe{ l CuIof,,, th"' they
were ms'aAen' We must CaIoi"lS r fI,e,
thar New-York Is already burlened with heavy debit
mcns and work II is very hard 10 negotiate Tor the SAFE
~ bonds. In regard To the contract system 90 not
lhnk 10 SHOULD DC dpglsitu. III YOU engage NIh you
get where II Is cheapest You ask Us ~ raise SOOcO
S3J0O; 10 easy % talk, Dut very difficult to raise
money, aud the question is: l. II absolutely neces-
saTy TO lrthcr INTO debt, and make heavier tax on
The people, III OrGer 10 give these men work. Inc tax
next year Will be 81 per cent, ana II II Is raised
any ine to seven cent, tue whole property IN
this city will be ConGscated. laborer. brought
ND 10 work ana know what II is. asO renem
that agO the abOTcr5 OF tnS CITY drove
away the ehipDuidng from SeW-IOr6 to Maine by their
stupid strikes. Why shOuld be compelled 10 pay
what abOrer demand ii there is plenty OF work men
can employed good wages, but II II IS slack tho
men are not wanted and wages must be reduced.
Col. Spcncer-Ihe men now wanting work are not The
ordinary class OF laborers but men who VIII give Iul
dollars worth OF work for every dollar they receive IL
/, much better 10 pay the for work than have them
hands as paupers. IL Is 10 the Interest or The
authorities and the residents that these men have
work.
The Mayor said in reply that the public should not
hmm at conclusions hastily He wOul. consider the
matter do all in his power to help ,ne men ana the
city.
The Committee then withdrew. They VII visit the