The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-02-14
THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
WHAT COMMISSIONERS MARTIN AND o'DoSoHUE
HAVE TO SAY.

WHAT COMMISSIONERS MARTIN AND oDoNoHUE
HAVE TO SAY.
statement has been made by Commissioners Mar
tin and Joseph J. Donohue OF the Department OF
Public Parks, in reference TO the operations OF the
department The statement opens by saving that the
appearance Of Commissioner stebbins before the SEN
ate investigating Committee was made without the
previous knowledge OF his colleagues and he made an
erroneous report TO that committee regarding the de-
partment The dissenting Commissioners also remark
that Mr.. Stebbins on making individual state
mens his course leaves other alternative TO his
associates than to present their individual report to
the Board with the view the operations and
policy of the department, ask their concurrence in
H. and II they fail receive It, to publish the report
for themselves.
The operations Of the department during 1875 show
the following action and changes all Of which
the line OF increased economy and efficiency In Jan
uary 1875, Mr. Ryan held the Office Of superintendent
and was also lessee of the restaurants This double
holding violation of the 1O1st section of the
charter Mr.. Ryan forced TO resign, and the du-
ties OF Superintendent were added TO those OF the
Superntendng Architect, Mr.. Munckwitz He has
performed the duties in 1875 for S. 00 which the
department in 1874 $1,000 for Superintendent and
81 500 for experimenting Architect His professional
attainments architect and engineer and his superior
practical ability as Superintendent have given great ef
cheney TO the work Of tho department
The police force has been remodecd and improved
in efficiency. The abuses Of iavortsm have been
minated, ard there DO no Sinking under his su-
pervision The visitors have been protected from
pckpockets and tho other disorders and annoyances
attempted during the summer season.
reform has been made the Gardening Depart-
ment by the appointment OF Mr. Fischer, OF su-
perlor professional ability at a saving OF ST. 700 per
annum, and by taking the control of the gardening
force from the foremen of laborers and placing II
directly under the control OF the landscape
tect The beneficial results OF this change upon the
general beauty and effect Of the Park have already
been manifested, and they will become more apparent
during the ensuing year.
The preparation OF plans has been ordered for an ex
tension Of the mcnagerie buildings of the
Museum as TO accommodate all the animals under
the charge of the department. The clerical and
the subordinate officers OF the department many
in number, aud some OF them receiving compensa-
ton disproportionae 10 their services. Several at
temps have been made remedy this during the year.
but they have failed to receive the OF the Board
The payroll and vouchers sent down 20 the Comptrol-
ers ONCE have been subjected "a his criticism and he
has in many cases nterposed distractions and delays
They have, however, all Of them been overcome and
the year closed with all the acquisitions payros OF
the department paid up.
Heretofore heavy license fees have been imposed
upon the boat service the carriages the goat wagons
the ponies &c with the result of bringing in few
thousand dollars to the sinking fund.- imparing the SER
vice and impoverishing the licensees The new ar
rangement will forego Nhis acquisition to the sinking
fund and compensate the public with enlarged service
better material equipment and attendance, and with
lower rates OF payment This will result in q greater
benent 10 the people VINO frequent the Park In the
general work of construction and OF improvements
many beneficial changes have been made.
The unfinished works on the Central Park have been
substantially completed, and with the exception of the
gates the enclosing walls at its northern end and the
adjacent slopes tho OF the Park presents finished
appearance so far as all works projected up to this
time concerned The architectural structures and
bridges have also to great extent been put in thor
ough repair The neglected lakes and ponds have also
been ordered TO be thoroughly cleaned and the work
will be completed this winter
On all the other parks under the OF the depart
serviceable TO the people The unfinished fountains
City Hall Park, in Union square and Madison square
have been nearly completed The progress OF tho
work Tompkins square as park and military
parade ground combined is of great Importance TO the
people who live about it, and this work Is fairly started
SO as TO be completed early in the coming season.
There have been funds for reaying the walks In the
City Hall Park but this work has been provided for in
the ensuing season.
result of the work of the civil and typographical engi
neers for several years, have not been adopted by the
Board New plans have been ordered under the drec-
ton Of Mr.. Olmsted the landscape architect upon the
principle of park treatment-that Is of roads which
conform to the natural surface, and which develop, in
stead OF destroy the emnences and other valuable ea
lures of private property.
A bureau has been introduced in the department.
and Mr. Edgar B. Van Wrinkle has been appointed
Surveyor OF Street Openings and improvements
Hereafter in all works under the charge Of the depart
mont streets that are to be opened in vicinity will
be grouped together in one legal proceeding and the
maps and surveys will be furnished by the department
their actual cost A more thorough and accurate
system OF Inspection OF StTeet mas
been prepared for the coming year.
Two new bridges have been greatly needed over the
Harlem River for the accommodation Of the people al
ready there and 10 facilitate the increase of population
The sites of the bridge from Madison TO 13Sth
street, and also of the Suspension Bridge half mile
north of the High Bridge, have been determined and
progress has been made In the preparation OF the
plans but the applications of the department TO the
Board Of Estimate and ApportionmeDt for money have
not been acted upon Proceedings acquire title TO
the lands needed Tor the approaches to the Suspension
Bridge have been commenced A new draw has been
placed the Central Bridge and that diapdated
ture has been repaired sufficiently for tho present travel
Rapid progress has been made in the building OF the
Museum Of Art The external walls and the frame
the roof erected and the plans and specifications
for its completion have been ordered. A plan
adopted for the construction OF Riverside avenue, by
which park and avenue treatment blended into
and great saving Of expense is effected. This
rendered necessary bY the want OF foresight in the
determination OF the original lines of the improvement
and by the excessive expense which would have been
incurred in attempt to carry them out. The Board
have adhered 10 their legal proceeding for acquiring
title TO the military parade ground and have refused
to discontinue H.
There is stii room for much reform In the admins
tration Of the department upon subjects which have
been presented 10 the consideration OF the Board but
which have not yet been acted upon. Many Of the
existing abuses are found, on investigation, TO have
defended that ground and because Of the persons
whom the changes would affect The efforts at reform
checked at these points by this resistance
As the statement OF Commissioner Stebbins Is the
occasion OF this report IL is due TO him TO state that
none OF tho changes indicated initiated by him and
that many of them encountered his opposition, oven
although they 1nally received his vote