New-York tribune., 1906-07-22
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH
Prospect Park Employees Haze
Great Capacity for Work.

Brooklyn has acquired a reputation for slow
ness OF which its citizens not all inclined 10
approve. and from the days OF Captain Kidd.
who first became known TO fame through leading
a company OF Brooklynites against the pirates
OF the waters hereabouts. the youth OF the City
OF Churches have been wont to break forth now
and then into excesses Of strenuous villany cal
calated 10 upset for a time at least the reproach
OF Manhattanites and other outsiders Still, Il
Is doubtful If such attempts have had the de-
sired effect. for they have resulted in trouble
FOR the wild youths themselves, and have In
spired the staid youths OF the towns with
double portion OF regard for her honor.
The municipal employees have, perhaps, been
the foundation whereOn Brooklyn's reputation
has been builded and without doubt the -faclngs
Of The buttresses have been the employees of
the park system. The park employe apparently
grows more jealous yearly in his attempts 70
maintain the reputation OF Brooklyn. Some
scenes common TO the parks have become in
delibly impressed upon the minds Of visitors
Prospect Park for instance, represents many
typical scenes Of this description. Who IN South
Brooklyn or Flatbush IS not familiar with the
old man whose duty II is 10 sweep some three
hundred feet OF concrete path along the lake.
side: who has not watched him creep along, ap-
parently trying to keep pace with the shadows
cast by the trees as they hourly change their
relative position to the sun; who is not familiar
with his squeaky voice as IL pipes the time OF
The other day an observer saw seven garden
ers presumably raking the grass on the plot that
lies in front Of the flower garden. They were
separated from one another by intervals Of pos
eibIy nine inches Looking upon them, one
would experience difficulty in telling exactly
what they We're really up TO. There was the
flavor Of Sherlock HOmes-like mystery about
them. Like rolling stones, they gathered no
moss and while they tickled the turf with their
pretentious instruments they did little more
than 10 straighten up the grass blades which
they had trampled underfoot.
From scraps Of their vigorous conversat tloh
one might have been led 10 suspect that they
We're muck -raking, else waiting for some un"
seen photographer TO take their pictures. Oc~
gfo NJ ba line would back
incbee and then his comrades with one voice
would cry out against his activity and his ruin
less disregard for the formation or the lne
There is . little patch Of ground generously
shaded by luxuriant trees. near the 9th street
entrance or the park Ihe observer WaISneu S
five with lawn mowers cut the grass from
this section Though il is only about the size
OF a couple OF city back YARDS, II look the hVe
men two days to accomplish the task snort
cinder path near by was under the care Of one
emplOye The observer watched him drag elgn-
teen broken twigs and bits Of grass along the
path distance Of about seven feet II TOOK
him one hour Is II any wonder that the park
authorities emphasize the fact when they ac-
complish any work little out Of the routine
with the aid OF the several hundred employees
In the department.
An order issued by the War Department az
Washington few days ago practically reor-
ganzcs New YOrk's crack National Guard or
ganization, the Sd Battery of Brooklyn At
present the battery is armed with the Colt au-
iomatic gun and with its "cannoneers' all
mounted on horses. it is distinctive Organiza-
ton.
The War Department has decreed that the
Sd must be a field battery, armed with the
newest 3-inch rapid fire gun. and instead Of a
six-gun battery it viii be reduced to a four-gun
battery. The reorganization means the reduc-
tiOn OF several non-cOmmissiOned officers, and
this and the learning Of nn entirely new drill
viii seriously handicap the battery
Much discussion Of the change has taken place
wherever the enlisted members cf the battery
have cOngregated. Some Of the men say they
enlisted for mounted service and now find that
they 10 ride the gun carriages. But al
most all the batterymen welcome the change.
Each of the guns viii be drawn by six horses
instead Of two as at present The entire equip
ment win be new. from the canteens TO the russet
harness for the horses.
During the last Military Tournament at Madi-
Square Garden the battery impressed army
officers who were present with the speed and
perfection Of its drill. and this may have prompt
ed the issuance of the newer and finer equip
ment An army officer will be detailed so in
struct the officers and men in the working OF
the guns