, 1889-11-02
MISLEADING STATEMENTS.

Ii Is to be regretted that the Sun per-
mitted Mr.. Altman's record as chairman
Of the city park committee to be attacked
through the medium of an anonymous
communication. The figures are readily
obtaInable at the city clerks Office and if
Mr.. Altman or any other chairman of
committee was ~extravagant in the use of
public moneys these records would readily
show it. If Mr.. Altman had been ex-
travagant then this matter was a perfectly
legitimate subject for a partisan newspa-
per to make the most of. Its case would
be stronger and its presentation would
make a greater impression upon tie pub
lie mind when backed by the authority OF
the paper itself than wien given in the
form of a com munication from an anony-
nous correspondent
In yesterdays Sun appeared a commu-
~nication signed AN Observer which
gives a lot Of figures. which whether in
tended to do SO or not, are exceedingly
misleading. The main misleading fact is
that the figures given are alleged
to represent expenditures upon the
city park exclusively. Even in
these figures the impression is con-
veyed that nothing but actual labor is
represented in the expenditures.
For instance the statement is made that
in 1887, the first year that Mr.. Altman
acted as chairman OF the park committee,
an appropriation Of 81 500 was made to
the committee which was $500 more than
had ever before been appropriated for
this purpose in any. one year. This is
true SO far as it goN, but in 1886 when
Mr.. Keefe, n Republican and thorough
manager, was in charge an appropriation
OF 81, 900 was made but the city warrant
books show that at least 81, 70s.1 was
spent by his committee during hat year.
The anonymous correspondent goes on to
say hat in 1887 "Mr. Altman expended
on the park 81. 1868. % or s463. 2s in ex
cess Of the appropriation" This money
was not all spent on the park. Up tC
Nov. Is. $466. 90 was spent on the lax,
as specially ordered by the council. Tn,
park was also leveled down that year a
an expense of $500, 1892 trees wert
planted. besides shrubs and willow cut
tings in addition to the implements which
were purchased.
In 1888 it is claimed that his appropri'
alton for the year was exceeded by $500.
At that time lumber, hose, large mower,
two hand mowers, scrapers, rakes, flowers
in quantities, shrubs and seeds were pur.
chased. The latter the public have since
enjoyed; the implements are still in the
possession of the city.
Mr.. Altman resigned as chairman OF
the park committee in September. w
to that date 81, 329. So of the 50, 700 APP,
propriated had been expended. In this
amount are included s27l.03 spent 10 im'
proving the lake and 81, 0S9. 80 for bulbs,
trees. shrubs, implements, lawn mower,
sweeper etc, which are still in possession
of the city. Since Sept. J, Mr.. Altman
has acted only under the direct orders o.
the mayor.
The park committee however is not the
only one that has overdrawn Its account,
Instances are on record vbsre the street,
"a L. .omu,;,,oa H. aSs-s@e
u Aness y mas o'erura"n "a
high as sS,OOO' This same COMMITTEES
has already overdrawn this year. As t.
workmen or teams being imnorted from
Noh,.aL.o ol.omho~". - -. :.
e's1"neie 10 uo tue "ork Oh
the city park thai is SIMPLY a plain un
vanished campaign lie. in 1887 MIR
Keefe and Mr.. Murray did work will
their cams !, or,a;na The wy SIM,
~ " para oin
that late the city team has done all thu
work except in rare instances when home