The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-04
DoINGS IN THE DEPARTMENTS.

The of1ces OF the Department Of Public Works
were besieged by laborers, who blocked all the
passages, the stairs, the rotunda below, in fact
almost the entire CITY Hall, and were waiting for
that much-desired. precious and now almost I'M
attainable bo0n-"worK.n Hunger and privatlon
were written on many OF these rugged faces eacn
telling o sad tale by ITSELF Commissioner Fitz
John Porter, whose flowing black wniskers and
mud countenance gave him rather q reverentlai
aspect was pretty cheerful. considering that SO
much suffering, which ne was utterly unable
to alleviate, confronted MIN at every step QUO
side his once. In answer 10 numerous
questions be said that there were no special
works now going on OF winch the readers or the
HERALD were not already informed. The number
or laborers now employed by the department.
(beyond those paid by contradictory was abous
1900, ana he hoped that the work to be COM
menced later in the spring would enable him to
employ 500 or 600 more. Everything. OF course,
would depend upon the action Of the Common
Council in authorizing necessary mprovemenLs IKE
that OF the kIngsorid<e road, &c.
THE DOCK DEPARTMENT..
At the Departure Of DOCKS commissioners
westervelt and Wales were found on duty. the
latter (wno - The working memoer Of the BoardJ
perfectly immersed IN business Mr.. Wales,
when asked what the news was, said
the Department was perfectly 'aspnyxiatedn
through obstacles that were put In
lis way rom every sIde. one OF the most serious
was the PROBABILITY OF hostile legislation In Al
0any as tue Comptroller nad done his utmost 10
induce the Legis allure 70 cripple tue Department
financially. II Will be remembered that Mr.. Green
entertains an ardent affection Tor Mr.. Wales;
hence MS intense interest IN the Department oil
DOCKS. Another EMBARRASSMENT arose ron the
curious complication OF proprie tary rights IN tue
water 'front.'. There were great many piers, half
oil winch belonged 70 the city whie tue other half
belonged to private corporations, and the COmms-
sIoners were greatly embarrassed 10 prosecuting
tue work on tue new docks Dy reason OF these con-
nictlng rights A great many q the private
owners OF piers asked very exorbitant prices,
winch mace tne negotiations rather lab0rlous.
The BOARD, ne said, wss now negotiating with a
large corporation, and the favorable result OF
these negotiations would bring aoout great Inn
provement on the water front. commissioner
Wales SAID the laboring force was some what
diminished, although they mad twenty appiica-
tions Tor every place to be hled. he was oil the
opinion that, considering the great necessity OF
employment 70 thousands OF starving working
men every public work that could be earned on
with benefit to the city should be prosecuted by
the departments
At the Department OF Parks Colonel Stebbins
IA strange coincidenceD remarked that this
branch Of the city government also was ''asphyx-
ialed.n He was informed that Commissioner
Wales Tad used tnis very expression - the writer
hall an hour before, aud Indignantly accused that
gentleman % conversational plagiarism. Colonel
SteDDins limited, also, At certain Efforts that we're
being made to Dust the present Board, but was
unable, nevertheless, TO give tue names OF their
probable successors in ONCE. one OF Tue CommIs.
sioners Mr.. Stewart. Is making a thorough Inves-
tigation INTO tue conditiOn-nioral ADD physical
OF the PARK police, and will soon submit an elaD-
crate report "A physician examines all the police.
men TO ascertain wnetner they possess the ner.
culean strength necessary for Inc proper exercise
OF their ordinary duties. IL Is reported on good
authority that only the good-ooKing members OF
the force will be retained and those VINO are as
handsome as the secretary OF the Department,
Mr.. IRWIN, are 10 be promoted.