New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-16
murder They waived an examination anu "ei' H'i'
pARK DEPARTMENT ESTIMATES.
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT WALES

To the Editor Of The tribune
Sir: lam sure that THE TRIBUNE does not lhtenu
TO do me an injustice but II has done so III INC ioe
statement which appears this morning; -
"Hep (meaning myselD certainly did MOI appeal of
advantage Yesterday at the meeting OF tl3 po 49,
Estimates ard Apportonment The estimates o, sm
Park Department FOR 1884 were under @ 9o for
Mr. Wales said II he could not be allowed TISV ~, "a
the work Riverside Park, the whole Item msn' Jus" 40
we'll be stricken out" -,
Allow mo to say that l madc no sum
statement The original estimate for lmproVms
the park as recommended by the board, was
and the property-owners present seconded the
recommendation and urged its adoption. Inc bo'iu VI
Estimate and Apport0nment however, struck " uo"D W
$4,000 stated distinctly that the item should be IN
creased to S50000 believing that that amount co" 10
julciously and properly expended upon that Work
Again, you say that "if he mcaning myself "eould
not have $4,000 for paving tho transverse roads, ho
wanted but IS, 600,
Imade no such statement / stated that the depart
ment asked for 600 for pairing OF the transverse
roads, which sum includes the HdnsdHce OF four trans
verse roads, that this estimate for paving made by
strict calculation Of the OF such work. mt TjoOOo
p,d not do a. and that II the Board Of Estimate and APP
portionmcnt decided not To give the asked FOR paving
then all that wanted would be 5000 fOr MAMIE
Ii seems 10 me that this explanation ought TO make the
matter perfectly clear to ALL Ii had made such state
mcnt you attribute TO me, would certainly he amen
bic TO criticism than you have seen 1T TO apply
In lny description of the departmental estimates
1884, was very careful to draw the line between VIVA.
necessary and what useful to DC done; fOrl
must borne In mind that IN dealing with tie pleasure
grounds Of the people and vest amount OF CONSTRUCTION
work unappiy put upon the Department ny the act OF
annexation, embracing in the aggregate twenty
distinct objects FOR which money IL applied for,
there items which absolutely necessary,
such music skate hOase etc. but at the same time are
recognized 10 be useful by those who frequent hcso pun
lie places ON he other hond there arc many items which
arc absolutely necessary and in presenting the budget
all those matters uly explained 30 that the Board
or AppOrtionment may form Judgment as TO Whethcr
certain items should be allowed to be included In the
estimate. am respectfully yours,
:. RI. WALES,
President Department Public Works
NewT York, Dec. II, 1888.
I'VE have the assurance of several officials who
were present that they understood Mr.. Wales to say
that the Board of Estimate and AppOrtOnment
might as well strike from the budget tho whole
item for Riverside Park TO allow small an
amount as $25 900. We certainly do not intend to
do Mr.. Wales any injustice We will do him tie
credit TO say that he always means we'll and if he
does not succeed in making his language clear to
his hearers at the first attempt lie is one of the most
accomplished of men in explaining afterward that
he had no intention of saying what his audience
thought he saId.-Ed.l