New-York tribune., 1883-11-03
EFFICIENT PARK MANAGEMENT.
REFORMS IN THE Observation-Disclosures ROOTED
oUT-THR PARKS IN GOOD CONDITION..

oUT-THR PARKS IN GOOD CONDITION..
Brooklyn politicians who have cndeavored to
find capital against Mayor Low by bringing forward
matters connected with park management have made
crave mscslclaon. II evident to all who visit the
parks that their condition has been greatly improved
during the past year. although the annual appropriation
for their maintenance The same s In former years
But there Il inside history 10 the change In park man
sgcincnt which has been published. Mayor Low
has meyer said much about IT, being unwilling the
feelings OF one of his ncShbors whom ho felt compelled
10 remove. President Kendall Of the existing conins-
sion refused To talk the subject when approached by
reporter Of TuE TRIBUNE yesterday Tho following
facts however, have been obtained on the highest au-
thOrity:
Soon after Mr.. Low took office he urged to CO
OPERATE IN procuring the passage Of act OF the Legs
l0tnre extending three years the of Office Of
Park Commissioner Stranalan which was about cxpr-
ing Many complaints had been made OF the park ad-
niustratiOn Mr.. stranahan Lad been at the head
OF the commission since Prospect Park created
the Mayor was unwilling ao hastily and proposed 10
have Air sranahan remain in Office another year, so
IN allow fair time 20 Learn the merits Of the Mr.
stranahan refused acccdc TO this proposition and de-
clarcd that lie would fight unless the Mayor yielded TO
his Wishes Under the circumstances II was impossible
for the Mayor do otherwise than appoint successor 10
Mr. stranahan when that gontcmans term Of Office ex
pired The gentleman appointed, william b. Kendall, Ia
one Of the most cultivated citizens OF Brooklyn, and
with him are associated Commissioners such men
Jon Gibb a ellknown merchant. j. Rogers Maxwell,
d. II. HOughtalmg ana George H. Fisher. The moment
the new Commissioners came into olce 1t evident
that the accounts OF the Department I'm great dis
order Incredible may thoro had been abso
lutey no kept IN the Dcpartemnt except
a memorandum OF revenue from such sources as boat
hire etc. In the parks), from December 81, 1S70 10
June IL 1892 when the change OF administration OS-
Cured The stubs in the check-book showed that the
details Of what vouchers cOrrespondcd to checks drawn
and TO what account charge should be made had never
becn filed out In instances the names Of the
persous TO whom checks drawn not given aud
mo reoeips whatever could found. others the dates
wero omitted. Several checks for thousands OF dollars
were recovered where not record OF their amounts
had been kept. There not d book, even mem
orandum In which the drafts were recorded. And tho
0u, WAY In which the Commissioners were able Ia
learn the amount OF cash belonging 10 the Department
when they came into possession was to go around to the
different banks and politely solicit Information as 10 how
much each had on deposit to the credit OF TINS account
with the exception OF had penc bo ZEN e nm 1t
and the unmpOrtnt matter OF revenue already referred
To- there was single record OF either funds or prop
crty to enable the new Commissioners to know what
their possessions and responsibilities were Mr. 5trana-
ban When appealed TO- showed earnest disposition 10
Dd Inc commissioners but he not able 10 give
them needed information, and referred them to Mr. Que
ye,l0 WHO had been secretary 10 the Commission. But
Mr. Oueycdo refused 10 communicate anything, not even
replying courteous letter containing two or three
The commissioners requested the Controller to detail
the affairs OF the Department.
and William A. Brown, Chief Accountant of the BOurd OF
Audit, and #. A. Drake were assigned to the task
They found matters IN such dire confusion that II was
nearly six months before they able 10 report, but
thev then brought 20 light tile distressing fact Of
dedcency of Sl0,GO4 AZ In the seCTeary's accounts.
Mr. StrGnahan Immediately drew his check for this
amount aud sent IL 10 the Controller But this does not
alter tlc glarng truth that took six months for two
exncrt accountants simply 10 find out the condition Of
the Park Department nor the equally undcniable truth
that IL ought 10 have taken SIX n1nutes Probably
the voters Brooklyn will prefer not 70 risk such loose
methods again Doubtless Mr.. Hendrix would rcinstate
Mr. Sranahan II he could and that gentleman Is doing
All in his power tO elect the young man. As Illustrating
tho appcatiOn OF business principles 20 the Park De
mort of the Democratic accountant, who was appointed
bV a Democratic Controller. lie says: The present
Commissioners have had new books opened from the date
OF the transfer, juno IL 1892 which may justly say
are being admirably kept
Hoyor LOWS opponents have been asserting that Pros
backmalers whore II is unsafe for aud children
t visit Ths will be startling news 10 the thousands OF
people, including large proportion OF ladies
aud chidren who visit tho park every pleasant day. ana
h had sIDposed from the evidence OF their senses
thaf this beautiful resort had been orderly aud
az we'll natroed before. Those who make this false
moi only Mayor Lor for reducing the park
police force but affirm that the new Commission, OF
Yhicb he is member o1lco has spent several thou
sands ~ dollars the erection OF new PARK oces and
sen t,,e apprOpriatiOn consumed thus, was com
eiied In disolarge eighteen policemen ana large num-
ker M inc working Of the park kOw the truth s
tat the money spent stables and once DnldlnR
in plsee of diapdated frame sheds, was appropriated
oy the CITY tor this especial purpose and III the fatk
commissioners had spent any of for salaries OF wages