The New York herald., 1873-07-01
A Volcano in the Department of
Public Works.
1900 EXECUTIONS EXPECTED
Interview with Commissioner
Van Mort.
How tho Estimates Of the Department Of Public
Works Have Been Cut Down-Interesting
Facts and Figures-Commissione Van
Mort on the Department Of
Finance and the Department
'of Public Parks

rumor which gained ground yesterday after.
noon arouAd the City Hall to the effect that Com
missioner Van Mort Is about to discharge an I'M
mense number OF men from the DEPARTMENT of
Public Works-rumOr had It 1,20O-caused- tf.e-
greatest excitement among the local po
ticians and In the different departments.
1t was reported that the new Board of Apportion-
ment which the politicians understand to mean
COMPTROLLER Green had so cut down Commissio
Van Nort's estimates for the Department of Public
Works as to make this action on Mr. Van Nort,s
part matter OF moral necessity. Commissioner
Van Mort, of course, sent in his
REGULAR ESTIMATES
for the running OF the Department OF Public Works
for the current year on the 1st OF January accord
ING to the old law These estimates WERE of course,
to be presumed to be the lowest amounts for
which, in the opinion OF Commissioner Van Mort,
the Department OF Public Works could be run for
the year.
when the charter, however, became law, chap.
ter 75s. section 1, Of the laws OF ls73 provided
that q new Board of AppOrtiOnment, to consist Of
the Mayor. the Comptroller. the Chairman Of the
Board of Aldermen and the President Of the Depart
ment OF Taxes and Assessments, should re-estimate
the expenses of each department. of the city gov
ernment for the current year This new
Board, which the politicians believe is run
by Mayor Havemeyer aud Comptroller Green-Mr.
Vance, the Chairman Of the Board of Aldermen,
and Mr. Wheeler, the President OF the Department
of Taxes and Assessments, being popularity sup
posed 10 be negative members-cut down the esti-
mate of the Department Of Public Works wofully,
and hence the rumor of yesterday. Not only La
borers employed under the Department, but even
the
CLERKS AND HEADS OF BUREAUS
were very much concerned over the action which
it was rumored Commissioner van Mort Intended
to take.
TO test the truth OF this rumor and to get at the
real facts Il HERALD reporter waited on C0mmls-
sioner Van Mort yesterday afternoon He found
that gentleman In his private office, at the City
Hail. busily engaged in poring over the payrols OF
his department. Mr.. Van Mort was 80 closely
engaged during the day at this work that he never
once left his office after coming down town In the
morning, and at five O'Clock and long after his
the payrolls OF "the Public Works" and the est-
mates OF the new Board OF AppOrtionment on the
The Commissioner received the reporter pleas
antly, who apolOgZed for disturbing HIM and re-
marked that he had called in consequence OF ru-
NOR with regard TO the Department OF Public
Works which had cansed
GOOD DEAL OF EXCITEMENT
outside.
what is thatY" asked the Commissioner.
.'None other than that you intend to cut of an
immense number of hands in the DepartpeDt. w,
''WelI," replied Mr.. Van Nort-scarcey raising hid
face from the desk you sec anu engaged at that
what is the reason of this Wholesale reduction,
.srhe Comptroller has so cut down the estimates
Of the Department. OF Public Works tnat it is absO
lutey necessar Tor me to cut down salaries and to
discharge a large number OF men,"
''That is, your estimates OF last January have
been cut down, Mr.. Commissioner Y'' asked the re-
porter.
you must remember that these were my minimum
estimates"
at is reported, Mr.. Commissioner, that you have
the intention ofdischarglng l,2oo men from the
The Commissioner. shaking his head, said, 81 can
make no positive estimate as to the number OF men
| shall have To discharge yet. 1 shall cut down
salaries wherever the opportunity offers. and,
wherever cannot do otherwise, of course must
discharge. shall have to make q prOporti0nate
scale OF reduction all round"
s'Do understand you to say that this wll arect
even the clerks in your Department and the heads
Of bureaus2" asked the reporter.
''Certainly. shall have to reduce wherever 1t Is
practicable in the Department, and where can't
'.Mlght ask you to point out to me, Mr.. Com
missioner, where the reductions by the new Board
of Apportlonment affects your department. mostr''
''Well, there are the repairs OF wooden pavements
cut down one-hali; the gas 0.000; the salaries.
above all, $4,000 more. In all, the estimates for
running the Department have been cut down two
hundred and odd thousand doiars.r
II think, Mr.. Van Mort, thay Htne exact figures
would be OF interest to the readers Of the HERALD
II you would be kind enough to give them to me"
Commissioner Van Mort turned to his desk and
after some time supplied the reporter with the
following list OF the rcductlOnS:=
REDUCTIONS IN THE DRPARTMEHr OF PUBLIC woRKs.
Free baths S2,On
Van Mort on the lst of January 6OOQ
Construction and repairs Of Belgian pavements OU0
Repairing Of wooden pavements from the mini 7
lan1h estimate of Commissioner Van Mort OH the
LIST Q: January. $600OO to $4,000, or one.hat TO-
Repairs and .sppiriniiininiss' Of 1
the miI.iuum estimate
Mort on Jaluary l, $500
| Salaries reduoNA from ~
| mate OF Comuhssvuef W
Sl62OM 1880;
Estimate TOR supplies. from $50,00 to $500 0.....
Total reduction In the Department OF Public Works
including extras not mentioned above. e..........
THE COMPTROLLERs DEPARTMENT.
-1--.~-As usaa Hart than Leaned back
chair rf.t
"Yot FL .ff
rodn .