New-York tribune., 1874-09-08
Unsafe BRIDGE OVER THE HARLEM

WHY THE PARE COMMISSIONERS WANT WORE MONEY
NEXT YEAR.
The needs of the Department of Parks, as
gathered from the Of the ceSning year. pub
Iaed in yesterdays TRIRUNE together with the sug-
estions in the document seeming to suggest
come particulars in addition to those given TRIBUNE
reporter called MrStebhns, President OF the Depart
nent toeet his views Mr.. Sebbins stated that every
point hsi been examined with great care. The general
reports OF heads of not entirely relied upon
as arguments herever there has been more money
demanded for 1875 than has been given this year the
Comm ssone1s have fortified their application by hav-
ing ~ report from the head OF the Bureau
or Department where such excess seems to
be required showing the reasons therefor
Aeca ding te the estimates $4,000 is asked for
the repaving Of the City Hall PARK This was asked for
in IA estimates this year. The Commissioners have
felt the necessity for tins work. The Commissioners
wege granted $4,000 last for it, but this was after
ward revoked The statement that the pavement had
been begun erroneous. No form OF pavement mas
been decided on though the Commissioners have taken
pains 10 collect statements about all kinds of concrete
payements Tney deemed it their duty to bring tins
matter again before the public this year. because tho
work ought 10 be done as quickly as possible.
There H. very little add TO the account Of the depre
dations in the Central Park given by Mr.. Olmsed in
the report They have been going on for years. The
stealing mainly at night, and the inefciency OF
the Park police force to preclude the possibility
of eheckingit The estimates, continued Mr.. stebbns
the Department may seem at frst sght 10 DC
excessive when compared with those Of last year but
large area has been added with many miles OF roads TO
be kept in repair bridges 10 be patched up or re-
built For instance Of the seven bridges over the Bronx
River, four in urgent need or repairs
and three must be entirely rebuilt us Is
from tie report of the Constructing Engineer,
who has examined all OF the structures In regard
to tue miles upon miles of roadway which must be
mate was cut down to 10000 With this the Commits
sioners went work. employing 200 men. The appro,
pration falling short the number or men was reduced
tS Dpariment ISs at work ia the dis
trict ohly five men and engineer These men are to
look after all the work of the Department in the district
In regard to bridges and roads II bridge were TO
give the Department has not the funds
where rewifh 10 rebuild II.
In regard TO the appropriation Tor t1e 3Pnanela ana
architectural structures in the Central PARK MI SteD
bins said that little money had been expended on
these structures for very long Time Ihe Id1uscape
architect OF the Park made an examination or these
features some time since, and called attention 70 the
necessity for an increased amOCLG To Keep them IN
order These WORKS constantly icquire attention. They
not exceedingly sirong 0u arc dthcaiey WrougnI
and attention necessary TO prevent the disntegrduon
of portions by atmospheric Influences and the conse-
gupnt deterioration Of the whole The condition OF the
ThIrdave. and McCombs Dam bridges over the Harlem
River also claims immediate attention. The traffic
over these has largely increased over that OF pre-
vious years and Mr.. Grant The Engineer OF Construct
ion has nade the subject careful reports after
mature examination The roadways of both structures
he states are in bad condition ant threaten the ey of
way at amy mQmeatfTa disaster happens the old can
not te cepiaced with new materials for !he want OF
maintenance fund. The Commissioners have asked FOR
an Immediate appropriation, even IL 1t mas 90 be & de-
duced rom next years estimates, IN ORDER thtt tAt
bridges may be placed instantly IN safe condition.
Again Tie wheels of the draw on the TLrd-ave.
bridge are worn down and must he replaced.
-Fhe motive power for turning the draw OF
this bridge must also be changed The power obtained
from the C.OtOn main Is too slight for the purpose,
owing 10 frequent tapping5 of the man. II takes CD
minutes and Oen much longer to move the draw, when
ought swing in miDutc Ag1n, the repairs 10 the
McComb's Dam bridge made during the year have
hrpnght hight the fact that the teams and supports
OF the bridge are decayed drawbridge VIII nave
TO he but this Fail in place of the old one as It Is OBJ
NiOusy unsafe allow the bridge to he used very long
Theee. said Mr. SeDbns, some OF the reasons WAY
weask Tor slight additional appropriations. We
originating planning no new WOfKs, hut Slmpy
gOin,. with what was began n few years ago We
cont work what has been already done