The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-03
THE WORKINGMEN.

DEPUrATIoN TO THE PARK CoMHIssIoNERs-
PLAIN Talk ABOUT COMPTROLLER GREEN
No meeting of the Department OF Parks was held yes
terday, quorum not being present President Martin
and Commissioner wetmore were, however, hand to
receive delegation Of eight workmen the csaf-
feced parties in that class The delegates stated
the object Of their call to who was
sponsibe for the present alarming condition affairs
They understood that large appropriation had been
made for Riverside Park and avenue, and that the
work In charge Of the Park Department Comp
troer Green had stated to them his willingness pay
the necessary funds whenever called upon Neverthe-
less large body of workingmen in this city could find
nothing to do and they wanted ascertain where
fault lay. There seemed al present to be executive
head to the city government, and to tell them
who responsible tor neglect OF the work projected
by the different departments
To these remarks President Martin answered that
with regard to Riverside Park and avenue, the lands
were purchased years ago by the city cost OF
$4,000 00O onehaf paid by the city and onc-half by
those property owners who be benefited by the
proposed improvements This was done when Comp
troer Green was connected with the Park Depart
mont From that time to tho present the property
owners had been trying to get the work pushed for
ward, in order that they might have return for
tho money they had paid After Mr. Green left the
Park Department he lost control OF the work on River
side Park aud he has been opposing it ever since He
has retarded the work and prevented the passage of
bills favorng by the Legislature In the last session
Of that body, however, bill was passed en-
abng the work 80 on, but even then
ComptrolIer Green in order TO hamper the depart
meni, got amendment lacked the bill providing
that the work be done by contract For some parts OF
the work this VIII make no difference, but Tor the
greater part It will be very difficult 10 do the work by
contract. Nevertheless the Commissioners pre-
pared 10 go under these difficulties The bill was
signed by the Governor June since that time the
engineers OF the department have been preparing spe-
cifcaons Of the work. The plans have not yet been
submitted, but the road will be three miles long and
will run from seventy second to l30tn street IL
will be 100 feet wide and Will about
$1,000, 900 When the plans are approved
possible. Comptroller Green stated to the
workngmou that he was willing to pay the money Tor
this work. but he said That only alter law had been
passed making il peremptory Tor him to do There
was at present no fund in the hands OF the depart
men for Riverside Park the amount TO BIO ali collected
by assessments.
President Martin, having explained this matter,
spoke OF the general finances OF the department There
were two kinds OF work done by them-one OF main
tenance and the other OF construction For the
enance fund this $751; 900 had been approprat
against $3.50 600 last year. and this reduction
tates corresponding reduction in The hire OF labores
There way OF increasing tho appropriation ,or
tins year. and therefore, there possibility of CIV
ing any more employment TO the thousands who need
it, The Board OF Apportonment would have appro-
prated $25 600 moro but for motion Of Comptroller
Green who belongs to the Board cutting OF that addi
tiona amount
The construction fund they had last received in
1875. For 1876 amount had bcen voted for this
purpose. The Commissioners, foreseeing that this
would be the case, husbanded the Appropriation
1875 that there baiaoce lett at the end
OF the 1t is with this unexpended balance that
they at present obliged TO carry ali their im.-
provements, and consequently they are not able TO
employ many men. The two principal works that
they trying to finish with this uncxpended balance
The East River Park and Tompkins square, The
work on the latter has been much impedcd by Comp
troler Green The Commissioners would this
have employed men to repave the roadway in Wash
ington square had not the Comptroller refused to
recognize their right the premises, the plea that
II in the province of anetner department
Before President Martin had concluded this speech a
dcputaton of property owners the site OF RIVER
Park came TO urge the Commissioners to push tor
ward the work. Mr. Samuel L. Church, Mr. Clarke
md several others addressed the workngmen's dele
gates The property owners briefly related how they
had tried TO get the completed for the last five
years. and said that every step they had been
thwarted by Comptroller Green
Tho workingmens delegates then closed the confer
by thanking the Board and citizens for their
information. They notified them that a grand mass
meeting Will shortly be held in Cooper institute,
the SUBJECT will he thoroughly ventilated and the blame
laid the right shoulders.