New-York tribune., 1879-09-04
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
,Srvs1oNs IN THE PARK COMMISSION.

DlssENsIONS IN THE PARK COMMlSSioN'
,psorr-rIoSs ASKING THE MAYOR TO INVESTIGATE
THE AFFAIRS OF THE DEPARrNENr-coMAis-
sIoxrR LANES EXPLANATION OF THE RuMohs
AGAINST HIM.
At the meeting of the Board OF fark Ooun'', ,
poners, held yesterday, steps were taken ,n"s "in
probabiy bring to an issue the charge oi oi'''"'
misconduct made by Messrs. Wenmsn ana Coho'er
against their colleague. Smith f. Lane Inc ui'-
disguised hostility which within the last lew daSs
hos hcen developed between Mr. Lane and the
other commissioners invested the meeting with
more than ordinary interest TO the politicians and
others concerned In the workings of the Depart
mont Yesterdays meeting. Notwithstanding the
character of some of the business transacted seems
70 have been free from any unseemly violence OF
manner or language.
President Wenman offered the following preamble
and resolutions aimed directly at Mr.. Lane, and
they were adopted:
Whercas. Grave rumors have bcen circulated through
the pubc press and otherwise. OF rreguiarlles IN ,ue
sactions and official conduct OF members OF tnis
Board. ia relation 10 the Rverside-ave contract ana
hccnses under the control of the Depart nent and
Whereas, In justification OF the individual members OF
this Board OH nal cognlzance should be taken OF tue
EesOlred That his Honor the Mayor be and he Is
prosecute an into and with regard to the
same as well all other affairs pertaining to the con-
RsSirsd That the secretary be authorized to furnish
his Honor the Mayor with copies oi Al correspondcnce
reports minutes ana documents relating To these mat
tiers as ne may desire
Commissioner Lane presented the following reso-
luton
whereas The maintenance moneys for PARKS par, Am and
non u he president OF the Board tha oui OF the ap
preparation 600 for the 1879 904l have
been expended. being at the rate of Sl4ss0 month
and leaving only S3O9j9. being a the rate of s19 per
month for the residue OF the year which Is nsuclen'
Pssoleed. Tnai it he referred to the commissioners
q aflanr IN
aud report thereon TO the Bard with the view oi es1ap
- ~ w., ,,or Is ynsn ibe ma;ntenance moneys were
exhausted IN the early part OF October
Mr.. Wenman made a statement that in view of
the reduction in the force ordered at the last meet
ing Of the Board and since carried into effect the
moneys would last the year out and. though Mr..
Lane insisted that they woul not hold out beyond
the 1st of November the subject disposed OF by
laying the resolution on the table.
The semi-monthly report of the engineer in charge
OF the Riverside Drive improvements. showing pro-
gress received, and the president of the Board
was empowered to have the W llks around the small
city parks repaired at cost not TO exceed 81 per
square yard
After the adjournment of the meeting Mr.. Lane
spoken to by a tribune reporter In relation to
the resolution so pOintedly aimed at HIM. de
treated the whole affair very lightly; lie said;
- There is nothing in II court the fullest investi
cation. Mr. Nenman ana MIR. Couover charge me
with taking brides, which is pententIary offence.
They want me Investigated, but they will not allow
Mr. Wenmsn to be investigated. They ought TO he
punished for charging me with "A penltentiaIy OF
fence. My hands are clean.'
"Win You state distinctly the nature of the
charges which are only limited at III Mr.. Wenman's
preamble Z" was asked.
Yes" he replied they charge me with re-
cevng bribes-one of $500 to withdraw my Objec-
tons to bill of 81 900 presented 10y the Riverside
Drive contractor. and another 20 secure the rems-
sion of back rents due from persons holding leases
iu Central Park"
&" What have you TO say in reference to these
charles y
What have already said that there is no truth
In them whatever. | can explain all nv actions.
When the bill tOr 1000 from the riverside con-
tractor came before the Board refused to audit lt
or vote for II the Board passed 10. nOtwthstand-
ing. aud sent II to the Controller; filed protest,
aud payment was refused IN consequence. Subse-
Qucntly n was IelToScnicd that several hundred
day labOrers who had honestly earned their wages
were in actual need and depended for their inst
dues upon the payment of TINS bill. knowing that
fhe city was secured by the Withholding or tLirty
per cent until the final payment, withdrew my
protest. have since understood that a friend Of
The contractor, "A man with whom have had public
relations received $500 TO arrange the matter with
but deny emphatIcalY ever having received
cent of the money"
How do YOU explain the other charge ~
Ibe question OF licenses and leases In Central
Park was referred TO me 10 report upon to the
Board. Upon Investigation found 1hat one or two
persons who had made heavy Investments had been
greatly injured their bdslness by the growing
popularity OF such places as Coney Island, and
made up nv mind that they deserved some con-
sideraiIOn | therefore reported III favor of the
remission of their back rentals. These men, il
seems, had employed Mr.. Howard \. Martin. Il law
yer to look after their interests and no doubt paid
hlm for his services. lhe charge that was paid
for my report is utterly false"
Mr.. Wenman and Mr. Conover confirmed Mr.
laue's statements as to charges against him, but
they maintain their trufhfulnesS. Mr.. Wenman ia
particular Is very positive in his belief that the
money can bc traced 10 Mr.. Lane. and it was in
view Of tins positive conviction that he offered his
resolution calling for an investigation.