New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-09

each Department, you will fnd that tnroughout i IN
aries paid by the Controller exceed the salaries pu III
this Department The Controller pretends 10 clear u
ders,andme as TO the wants OF Departeht n mr
and upon this ignorant pretenson pc nSe same
salaries o. the Department excessive W1e , AZ soars
paid by himself in his own Department TINS Is rair
display OF the Controllers zeal for the public interest
AS such submit II for your consideration. -, -,
a. have already explained to your Honor me maj
equacy OF the appropriation made In the CGntroers
revised estimate for this department for the repairs
OF the wooden pavements OF the city To that subject
preparations aected by the revised estimate are In
so unsatisfactory condition that feel compelled 70
maintenance OF 467 fss square yards OF macadamzed
rOadways, comprising the bouevsrds, avenues, ana
has allowed only 10000. while the Central
PARK Commission. under the administration and
1867 the sum OF s 0i0 for the maintenance OF 100000
square yards OF park roadways which all business
hours constituted days work and labor aud material
were much cheaper than they II the Control
extrayagant, which presume he will not admit, he
evidently expects that can accomplish an inpOsslD-
II fail In the undertaking. This Is another Illustration
of that peculiar manifestation Of anxiety for the public
and brings the light OF his pretended zeal for the public
welfare to illuminate the actions Of others. cannot
In my estimate asked for 100000 for the lighting
and maintaining OF the lamps OF the city. Less than
the city paid at the rate OF S5l per annum
for lighting each public lamp, being total OF S92S7O1
exclusive of the maintaining and renewal OF lamps aud
NN'"AHNAA
My estimate OF 600 for the present year was based
upon rate OF $50 for each lamp, and the requirements
maintenance and renewal, and 10 provide for new
lamps ordered by the proper authority, being reduc
ton Of per cent total Of s27Sl2 effected through
ment at the instigation OF the Controller re-
duced my estimate without any EXPLANATION or apparent
ton VIII be exhausted by about the middle of Noyem
ber and the Charter fOrbds officer Of the Govern
incur liability In excess OF the approprla
ton for the purpose. shall then be compelled to init
the companies that the city VIII not be re-
iIa thaI OhT If he
aiDder OF the year. The action OF the gas companies
In circumstances can DO easily anticipated, ana
for this unpleasant anticipation and the consequences
which will follow, the blame Will rest Win tue Con-
WORK ON PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
The Controller further states that the appropriations
made by the Board OF Estimate and Appointment do
not include the millions expended by this Department
from the proceeds OF bonds ana he enters upon an eaD
crate explanation to the number and extent OF the
improvements carried on by this Department. In this
explanation the Controller goes so far as to nsnuate
that this Department has personal object in view
proceeding with these works, and expanding the pub
lie moneys thereon and that II IL extrayagant ana care
less in ITS management OF the works need not state
10 your Honor tna every work IN progress being pro
ceeded with not as the choice OF this Department Dut
pursuant to and under the compusion Of law. such
works the regulating grading, paving, ana sewerlnS
OF Streets are being executed in compliance with ord
nances of the Common Council approved by the Mayor
and these works. when their cost exceeds $1,000 are al
versed and publicly let To the lowest bidder ms De
parmen has no power TO initiate these works OF 10
nafp nv "".iV' o,H'i "A'" '"AN " NN"'-NN' ~ F
4 Il is next asserted by the Controller that /" the
clerical and engineer force various OF the works IS
believed to be largely in excess OF the necessities on e
work." Who 1t that believes this the Controller does
not state. scarcely think that he would wish 1t TO
be understood that such his belief for no one knows
better than he the injustice OF the assertion All these
works conducted with fewer employees, andup0n
more economical basis thaneYer before, ana WIN 10"
exceptions the employees engaged were originally Sc
retained from their intimate knowledge OF the work
The expense OF the entire force Of engineers ana
ing, and inspecting the works, the prepare
ton of the pay-rOlls, making out OF vouchers,
and keeping accounts about s4s 800 per annum with
the present force Of 1s3 abOrers &C., and which, upon
the expenditure during the past year. up to the
Of the labor This is less than the usual estimate upon
public works being executed by contract and Tor which
being done by days work, where all payro, vouchers,
&C. are required to be made In triplicate Comparing
clerical force the particular work above specified
with the expenditures OF the Department OF Public
men, find that the cost Of the clerical and engineer
force OF that department exclusive OF the force en-
gneering is $780, 1900 per annum IN excess oI TINS
department and that too with less than hail tue force
have now placed before your Honor the facts as to
the matters referred to by the Controller ia his
greet felt compelled to write thus regarding the
head OF coordinate branch OF the City Government but
action Of the Controller has unfortunately left ne no
choice have done my utmost TO get along with him IN
peace and harmony. When filing my official BOND upon
pressed to the Controller my sincere desire to cooperate
and work in harmony with him; our long association 10
the Central Park management leading me to the belief
that this would be mutual pleasure In this, however,
have been sorely disappointed for from that day |
this the Controller has never lost an opportunity OF
using his best endeavors TO place me- II possible IN
false light before the public. There is no reason why
this should be why IL should continue. To the
best of my ability have abored diligently and faith
fully discharge the duties OF my department and 1t
satisfactory for to be able 10 assure your Honor
that upon the most thorough examination this depart
ment shall be found under my administration to com
pare favoraby with any department OF the city in ell
cheney and economy. Very respectfully
GEO. NJ VAN MORT,
Commissioner Of Public Works.