The New York herald., 1876-11-21
THE PERILs OF THE PARKS.
COMMISSIONER MARTINS VIEWS ON THE PRES
ENT CR1srs-soME NEW FACTS.

COMMISSIONER MARTINS VIEWS ON THE PRES
ENT CRISIS SOME NEW FACTS.
MI. William X. Martin President of the Department.
of Public Works visited yesterday afternoon by
the writer for the purpose Of ascertaning from him
any new facts bearing upon the subject OF his letter
which appeared IN yesterdays HERALD. Mr.. Martins
attention was drawn to the various comments OF the
press upon the matter Of managing the Park Depart
ment The gentleman smiled quietly and re.
marked that considering the source from whence
the unavorable portion Of these comments emanated
he being accustomed to sach things disposed
to give them much Importance and preferred hold
his opinion with regard TO the department over
which he presided. He believed too much money
went 70 keep up the park police force, and too little
to the repairing Of roads and sidewalks particularly
the Twenty-third and Twenty fourth wards. The
Commissioners saved about 500 600, and this
should be appointed for the purposes indicated
In the letter which Mr. Martin published yesterday
The police work, which formerly cost $3.50, 000 could
now be done Tor $50, 600 year. With regard to the
published statement about non-reductton Of aborers
wages, true, and this class Of help receive US
alleged 81 per day And as to the charge that the
parlmcnt is asylum for "played outn politicians
Mr.. Martin ramarked that he would like know
ne %ans on SoOs 50 srSn cs
soner qualified Of those Wholesale untruths
that any one can say without expecting 70 be called
upon to prove the assertion. The truth is that all
that class OF men have been reformed out Of the
service ''rhis WAS one Of the points," said Mr.
Martin, ''upon which had to defend myself
last winter before the Legislature published
then my report, and gave the OF the men re-
moved and the particulars Of the changes made
This was when Comptroller Green made his attack
upon the Park department for the purpose OF hav-
ing the Board smashed up and Colonel Stebbins ap-
pointed sole Commissioned. y,
Mr.. Martain said that he made DO threat to the
Board Of Apportionment, but stated that IT the
money be transferred the work Will be DONE
II not, u cannot The Central Park is however, all
right Everything including the geological collection
is open to tho public No will perceive any dior
ence whether the money bo transferred or not
About week ago the geological section closed
q couple of days. but nothing ''Tnat,'
said the Commissioners, laughing, "was what started
this whole thing Tho collection was closed because
the number Of men employed about it had be re-
duced ON account OF the scarcity OF funds" Tho
Board Of Apportionment always made excuses about
not transferring the money, and when days ago
ascerained that they would do this the forces
az work in the parks had TO be very materially reduced
II is the duty OF the Park Commissioners make
mates that will all expenditures. THIS was
done, and 900 were asked for the pavement n
City Hall Park Only $40, 900 were given, and, the
public knows, the work but halt finished And SO
1t is with other similar matters