New-York tribune., 1900-12-15
THE SEWARD PARK sWINDLE.


The Tammany administration doubtless con-
siders il a piece of extremely hard luck that
lust now. when public opinion is aroused and
organizing in an ominous manner against mis-
rule in this city, convincing proofs of wrong
doing should be added almost daily 10 the
record The latest count in the Indictment was
made public yesterday by Park Commissioner
Clausen. who has been investigating, apparently
with an open mind aud honest purpose, the
conditions existing around Seward Park. Mr..
Clausen has discovered that through the agency
OF an employe OF the Department in co-opera-
tiOn with the police "a market for all sorts OF
merchandise has been maintained there, the
vendors paying not less than $500 month for
their privileges He is informed that the pro-
prietOrs Of push carts, eighty or more in num-
ber have contributed 81 apiece every month TO
this fund, and that % cents apiece has been
collected weekly from an equal number of men
and woDlen who are so unfortunate as to be
compelled TO do business without the aid OF
wheeled vehicles. Mr. Clausen has accordingly
discharged the employe of his department. and
hopes by detailing four men TO duty in his
place. TO preserve public park for public pur-
poses hereafter.
This action is entirely proper so far as IT
goes but we should be glad TO believe that on
further reflection Mr.. Clausen viii conclude
that il does not go far enough by good deal
He considers that what he has done fully
meets his official responsibility in the matter"
but we cannot agree with him. The public
would like 10 know how the money obtained
from these poor and ignorant persons was dis
uibuted whether the policemen Immediately
concerned were able TO keep all they got, or
were compelled 10 pass most of il on 10 their
superiOrs. and how much the man whom Mr..
Clausen has discharged was permitted to re-
tain. This last point should be of special in
terest 20 the Commissioner, and we should sup
pose that he might secure accurate information
about il without great difficulty. But in the
mean time why should the park labOrer get off
with the mild punishment of dismissal? If he
has a pull. as he would seem TO have. he can
pretty confidently count on attaching himself to
some other city payroll without serious delay
very likely at higher wages Can the Commits
siOner give any good reason why this man
should not be prosecuted: He seems TO be an
uneOmmOnly mean and thrifty rascal. II he
gave Indispensable testimony as to the swindle
In which he was engaged he may be entitled
TO clemency; but that is a question for the
courts and not for Mr.. Clausen to decide.
And how about the policemen. whose names
are not even mentioned in the Commissioners
reportg Is the Police Board intending to take
action in their case? 1t would be interesting TO
know whether or not they are to be disturbed
In any way. Doubtless Il would be absurd to
expect the District Attorney 10 look into the
matter with view TO having a suitable penalty
inflicted on them. 1t viii be exactly character
istie Of Tammany TO let ii drop with the dis
missal Of the labOrer and ultimately find an
other job for that industrious and serviceable
negotiator. unless. indeed, he has rendered him
self obnoxious to the police by telling secrets or
IL is judged advisable TO make another pretence
Of official vigilance and virtue