New-York tribune., 1901-10-26
N4GLE WRITES TO 4CCUSERs.
"SHAKEDOWN" AND BLACKMAIL
CHARGES

Perctval E Nagle, Commissioner Of Street Clean
Ing. made public last night his answer 10 the al
legations made against his management OF the de-
partment at recent meeting OF the Central Fed
Grated Union. II alleged at the meeting that
some employees Of the department were subjected
to 'shakedOwus' by officials of the department and
that men were laid off in the summer months with
out cause when there was plenty of work for them
do
Mr.. Nagle's reply is in the form Of letter ad-
dressed to Messrs. PalIas Warner. Barry. Healy
and Helm. members OF the committee appointed by
the Central Federated Union 10 learn ii a communi-
cation laid before them regarding the Street Clean
ing Department was well founded The letter acted
upon by the committee was signed p. ]. NcNulty.
In behalf of the street cleaners
In his reply NIr Nagle SAYS that out OF a total Of
ESQ sweepers and drivers 329 have indicated over
their signatures that p J. McNuty does in some
way represent their interests. while 231S repudats
Mr.. McNuty as representing them in any way.
Mr.. Nagle asked by the committee in what
way certain moneys appropriated for the use OF the
department were expended. His reply to this query
is somewhat evasive, and is embodied in his refer
TO the laying off of men in the summer
months. His OWL words this point are as follows
In reference TO the men laid of during the sum
tice has been customary in this department for
many years previous 20 my incumbency in oHlce,
summer months the work falls OF very perceptoy
and there is enough do for the force that IS
employed during other seasons. hence il is only 1alr
TO the taxpayers. who IN the end have to pay ne
bill. that no largel expenditure should De mace
than is absolutely necessary. As to where the rest
of the money went that part of the question seems
ludcrous that 1 would suggest that YOU ask the
Controller about II. who Is the custodian OF tnS
CiIy's funds.
Replying 10 the question as TO why he does NOT
advertise for bids uniforms. Commissioner
Nagle ntimates that he has stayed up late on many
nights studying this momentous problem. ana on
this subject he says:
1T is my belief that the best possible arrange
obtain in the interests OF the men. who mus'
pay for their uniform apparel, that could possibly
be made Continuing he says:
Further than this S authority IN m, eHe
law for my entering into any such contract "a ar
made any such contract, and no coAtISC ..sf
present exists. In this connection might dIq -
arrangements for hats OvercoatS and artc4eS a.
uniform excepting the white suits were HlduT 80
price and the naming of the contractors ul liza va.
use the word) by a committee from your oIsail.---s
were members AS regards the white suits sIG ,sr- M
other uniforms, want 10 say rght now u lLIsbssse -
fectly immateral to me where the men Pult
them or what thev pay for same. All tne ueRsnsrs
ment requires and insists upon IS that tne swscEIa
and drivers appear at their stations n the Ies~
tion uniform.
AS regards the allegations about blackmai| NO-
missioner Nagle says:
I still state that upon proper infornaloos1i oss de-
ntshed to to the effect that olf1claIs u rpou
partment in any way ieVylnS olacAIA3+' -
employees will dismiss such officials