The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-08
NEW YORK HERALD MONDAY mRcE l875-w1rH SUPPLEMENT-

o punishable o fence to require more than ei9hs
worxs without extra comp en III. rate Of
wages paid aooring men in this department upon
my accession t. u was So 90 per day. or hty
cents per day higher than that paid oy the ParS
Department. immeda ely reduced 10 10 81 per
day, Notwithstanding there was at that time
large demand FOR iaboring men throughout the
city depaf tments. Although the demand Tor labor
has since greatly decreased. 81 per day is still the
established rate IN this and other departments oil
the city government Tor similar work. This is
subject for consideration. and must sooner or
better than now.
Some days since a committee or wealthy and
innuenuai property holders waited upon me Oh
fclay in relation TO the suolec. OF pubic improve.
ments and the rates OF wages paid the working.
men. ny tneir resolutions and remarks u was
unmistakable that they leit that the city should
pay n higher rate OF wages tnan thai paid by pri-
vate employers. and recommended hat the wages
be reduced at the sans time mat public improve
ments be progressed; "thaL" 10 quo'e their own
language. .'it was unjust toward the city, whose
puohc works werc Kept oack Tor want or more
hands; unjust to tue taxpayers because they were
made to pay double price Tor what they got, and
cruelty urJust toward the thousands vi unem-
ployed men who, equally wiling. have an equal
right TO share win the others IN sucn work as the
city has to do" and in conclusion. they asked that
men be employed on public works as they are
employed elsewhere bs the hour, paying them at
the same rates a. they are paid by con tractors and
on private works. The large number OF property
owners win whom we are necessarily dalv
bronght IN contact express a universal desire TO
have The pubic improvements progress. being
Wiling 10 pay Tor the same. but at the same time
feel that. III consideration OF the immense number
price OF wages should be had. This subject, as
Unpopular as 1t may be from political standpoint,
must be met, and am unable TO see, IN view OF all
the attending crcumstanc -, how IL can DE Obvi-
ated at TINS time ana stil mud bread Tor the
unemployed After long and careful consideration
have come to the conclusion that, IN order to
protect the interests o.! the CITY, the property
owners and the labUrInV classes, some concert OF
action sh )ud 0e had by the heads o. all the differ
ent departments OF ine city government, whereby
q schedule OF wages NAV be eed and agreed
upon Tor the laoorlng classes tnat will restore
confidence am3ng the property owners. warrant
the progress OF public improvements and Yivo
work and bread TO The starving and uncmp Oyed.
nave written You at C Insiderabie length on the
subject oil puulic improvements that you may fully
undeistan0 their origin ana progress. their pres.
ent condition and the causes which have produced
the unfortunate delays and partial suspension OF
the work, and that you NAV iully realize the me-
cessltes OF our city in this matter at the present
time. have latin TO believe that your incoming
Administration viii have the power ana possess
the VIII TO overcome or remove the obstacles IN
the way OF progress, aud Will be guided by an en-.
|igntened policy with regard 20 pubic improve
ments tnat Will BRING restoration OF confidence
among capitalists ana unite all in aiding to place
and keep the city OF New York where sue is Justly
emitted TO be as the metropolis OF the Western
western Hcmispher re. and the foremost among the
great cities OF the world. Very respectfully.
GEORG. NJ. VAN MORT.
Commissioner OF Pubic Works.
NEW YORK, Dec. Is, 1874