New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-24
A DEPARTMENT DISCORD.
TIE LEGISLATURES SOUGHT TO DEFINE THE RELA
TIVE POWERS OF THE DEPARTMENTS OF PARKS
Ann puRIJC WORKS.

TIE LEGISLATURES SOUGHT TO DEFINE THE RELA-
IIyB POWERS OF THE DEPARTMENTS OF PARKS
AND PUBLIC WORKS
The respective powers OF the Departments
Of Parks and OF Public Works III controlling the laying
out and OF the avenues and streets border
ing upon the public parks have for some time been
source Misunderstanding between those two branches
NJ the CITY Government The Park Commissioners
claimed that under the charter they bad and rghtuly
should have that power such avenues were pracu-
oay a portion OF the parks encircied. The CONNIE
sioner Of Public Works believed that the Common Coun-
ell was designated the body TO order all work upon
the Streets, and under the charter the work then
deyolyed upon his department. Under these ctrcum-
stances OF legal uncertainty no work could DO DONE
To test the question resolution was introduced into
the Common Council a short time ago, ordering the CON-
pIeton Of the in the vicinity OF Morningside
Park under the direction Of the ComInssioner0f Pub
lie Works. This adopted, but soon returned With
out the signature OF the Mayor whose action was based
upon the opinion OF the Corporation Counsel who held
that the charter created conflict to the authority
for the work. and might invaldate assessments The
veto was sustained the Board Of Aldermen being nearly
equally divided upon the question.
The bill lately introduced into the Legislature by Mr..
DAILY reference to the avenues bordering on River
side and Morningsde Parks and the upper portion OF
Fifth ave- bordering on Central Park.
From conversations with Of the Park Commits
sioners a reporter learned that 1t believed that
would be great in the construction OF
these by the Department OF Parks for they re
ouire 10 be treated with reference to promeDades and an
appropriate Of the streets The grade OF
the avenue must he considered with reference TO the
Park must be decided upon before workon the lat
ter can be properly begun. 1t WAS thought the work
could be done better and economically, as both
should 20 together The avenues in many cases are
really portion Of the park they surround The Charter
was intended with the amendments to give this control
the Park Commissioners. but In one OF the amend
ments q clause was interpolated which forbade the
Board 20 interferfere with streets or avenues,
formerly put under the control OF the Depart
ment Of Public Works: That; law depriyes the
least basis OF the complication The want OF clear
and undisputed jurisdiction has embarrassed the work
OF se the law 80 ambSSous that It is
left doubt whether anybody has this authority
The money has already been iGf tne wots
upon the parks but work ean be done until the grade
OF the avenue Is settled Much OF the WORK could De
done now, and many men employed upon u VINO are
idle Only this legal ambiguity stands IN the way
asIhe Charter provides that avenues within dis
OF $50 feet Of OF the parks shall BIO under the
control OF the Department OF PARKS they claim that Ibis
work should be their supervision Commissioner
Salem H. Wales stated that he believed II was 10 the
ment. None Of the Commissioners had taken any part
In the proposed legislation. -
The Commissioner Of Pubic Works. Mr.. Van Mort was
visited relation this bill. and Indignantly repeed
the intimaton had been made that he seeking
to enlarge his by absorbing those Of other
Department Ie said that under the charter with the
various amendments, the Department OF Public Works
was Nv the cm"n S~upc he saw no reason
why certain streets should b. beyond his CONTROL and
;a 9a, The c9nssS OF tho p1 Tx S s
merely TO authorize them 70 supprSss Objectionable
features. Considerable work had already been done
upon the avenues In question: hut had been suspended
uDt matter could be settled. He had taken part
in the bringing Of this bill before the Legislature Is
Department, according to his understanding Of the
charter though he considered the action unnecessary