New-York tribune., 1874-05-30
DEPARTMENT MISUNDERSTANDING.

MAYORS VERSION OF COMMISSIONER wALEss
RESIGNATION.
1t was announced yesterday morning that
the Controller bad paid all the payrols due up TO the
present time all the public works and IN the Depart
ments OF Docks, Public Works, and Parks. TRIBUNE
reporter inquired of the Controller If the Boulevard
aborers had been paid for their services In setting out
trees along the Bouevards The Controller said that
they had not been paid he had paid all the pay-ros
which covered labor which the heads Of the different
departments had legal authority for employing II Com
missioner Van Mort chose TO incur expense for other
purposes than those authorized by law the Controller
was in way responsible; he was only servant EN-
poyed to pay out the public money in accordance with
the law.
INQUIRY in reference to the matter made at the
office OF the Commissioner of Public Works Mr. Van Mort
said that the planting Of shade trees along the Bone-
wards had done in accordance with suggestion OF
Green made when he at the head OF the Central
Park Commission and that the legality of the expend
ture had been confirmed by the Supreme Court. W. H.
Dwyer presented bill for trees furnished the Depart
ment Of Public Works amounting to H.b32 Mr Green
refused payment and Mr. Dwyer brought suit Commits
Van Mort went on the stand aud explained the
nature OF the transaction and Justice Lawrence In
sruced the jury to bring in verdict for thef amount
of the claim. The judgment paid by the Controller
on Dec. 90 1873. The amounts which are now due and
the payment which refused by the Controller are:
Lahorers from Dec 49, 1873 MaT o. 1874 three payo)
Freight on trees Dec l, 1873 May IL 1874 si5l bo
Another bill for trees purchased this Spring has not
yet boen presented Commissioner Van Mort said that
the men had fairly earned their money and woud have
TO be paid He had thought of calling the mon together
and inducing them assign their claims 20 some one
who could bring suit for the entire amount In order to
save the city the unnecessary expense of law suit II
possible, Mr. Van Mort sent yesterday the following
letter to the Finance Department;
To the Department of Finance: For the purpose OF
lie moneys herewith request that the amounts due the
'aborers &c. employed in planting trees on the Boue,
May l6 1874 respectively be paid at early day, as
also the freight bills for the poraon of the treo
otherwise suits will be brought for the payment or
these just dues This Department is fully authorized by
law to carry out the Improvement of the Bouievard and
which includes the planting Of shade trees, adopted
by he late Board Of Commissioners OF the Central Park
on the report and recommendation of The present Con-
trollrr when he a member of that Boart. In view
2f the faet that the question as to the authority Of ths
the alternative by the supreme Court in the case of Wm
there can be 10 cause for delay hesitation in paying
these amounts An early reply Is earnestly requested
GEO. NJ. VAN MORT.
TIE BUREAU OF INCUMBRASCEs.
Controller Green told TRIBUNE reporter that the
complaints Of superintendent shafer OF the Bureau Of
Membranes OF the Department OF Public Works that
he could not obtain payment OF the $500 expended In
clearing the streets croundless. Bills for the
had been presented together with the certificate
OF the Department OF Public Works TO their correct
but they were not accompanied by the vouchers
for the expenditure OF the money. He said that such
vouchers necessary before the bills could be paid
Mr. Green asked whether, if Mr. shafer waived the
repayment OF the $500 already expended by him. and
the ordinance Of 1906 would the sltion
MI Green answered that he most certainly would do So
proper for such expenditure presented
he would houOr another requlsll,on Tor the same
amount. As a membcr OF the Board OF AppOrt1onment
he bad voted $500 for the use Of the Bureau and he
had wish to present obstacle IN the way OF its
a ppu1lt Tor up
The reporter visited the Department OF Public Works
N Mr. e che GEEK of o fhS &
that he had on file receipts for every cent expended
ment had certified the correctness of Mr.. shaers
bills in the form invariably followed by them. He
showed tho reporter the vouchers, which he said
Commissioner Van Mort said the proper place for
the vouchers money expended by his subord mates
was the Department OF PuDlic Works, and that his
caton OF the correctness OF the bills all that The
Controller had a rignt 20 demand and all that he had
ever demanded in other cases. He why
an exception should be made in the case of single
and he would not send the vouchers TO the Con-
troer. IL was also ascerained IN the Department OF
Public Works that reqnsltion Tor 500 for the use OF
under the ordinance OF 1866 although no one could be
certain that had reached the Controllers hands Iu
the mean time the warm weather mas come, ana the
Bureau of IDcumorances doing nothing. \ year ago
town markets, but the Superintendent says that he has
not received cent OF the money then expended
-~~- JOHN H. WHITE AND HIS SUCCESSOR.
John H. White, the Attorney for the Collection of Ar
rears Personal Taxes, still retains possession OF his
Office and continues the exercise OF ITS duties, al
though Gen. Alexander III. Harvey, who was appointed
to supersece him, claims to be vested with the legal
rights Of the Office On Tuesday last Mr. White received
a letter from Controller Green, directing him TO turn
his books. papers, furniture &c TO MS successor
by him in the performance his official duties, and
the office furniture &c were uuder the control Of
structed him TO retain possession OF them His clerks
II is said have been directed 10 receive orders from
20 Mr. -
ing April has not been paid by the Controer aithongn
the question of his retaining possession OF the office was
not raised until May 6.
MAYOR HAyEMEYER's oFF-HAND COMMENTS.
Mayor Havemeyer has not yet appointed a successor
to II. Wales. Commissioner OF Public Parks, although
the merits of candidates were canvassed very
freely yesterday. and the friends OF each we're busy
presenting their claims TO the Mayor MT HaveIneyer
was asked his opinion OF the resignation OF Mr wales
aud OF the letter in which 1t was rendered well sad
the Mayor Mr.. Wales Is going TO Europe, ana then ne
said that found the position irksone, WHICH doubt
less was true. Then there an election for PRESIDENT
OF the Board little while ago. and NJ, wales y1tea i0t
somehow OF other the other two fellows happened to
Vote the SINE way that My. Wales did, and I've heard
he plames Mr.. Green Ior that" IOn.lo.o. ueen wIen
questioned the subject declined to say anything
GIEANINGs ABOUT THE CITY HALL
The municipal departments VIII all be cioseo 'ooa''
On and after June the ordinance requiring steam
boa, runners 10 procure license from the Mayor, aud
q, wear badges hen soliciting passengers, will be en-
forced.
meeting OF the Assistant Aldermen was caiieo ior
D. m yesterday, but no quorum was present ..o.s,o,
The Courthouse Commissioners VIII take PosscssHH P Hv
of the rooms assigned them IN the new @ ~ ,bs
The Hoard OF Aldermen Whenever ceruhco cops Va 'e
resolution shall be received A., ,,,so yrr.au
a. MARSHAL Conkn has decided to extend the Time
for innk dealers and second hand goods dealers
eence bureaus &C., to obtain licenses al feuuccu i"
until Friday, June 8. ,
Comn,ss,oper Van Mort has transmitted 10 the boaru
=, the certificates OF the cost OF the
VI n order that the assessments therclot
% ~, ,n.de AZ wers in xth-ave., between Onehuu
rst and One hundred and nv
sfs ilA 80 u; paving One-hundreu Ill.