New-York tribune., 1907-07-10
BENSEL STOPS FINES.
Pleases Men IN Department by Abol-
isFing Strike GrieUance.

DR.. Walter Bensel bids fair TO be the most popu-
iar head the Street Cleaning Department has had
in years for yesterday after consultation with his
subordinates he announced that the system of
fines would be done away with at once Hereafter
there will he punishment without trial. and sus-
pension will be the penalty instead of fine. The
fine system of the chief causes of the re-
cent strike, and its abolition may be taken 70
mean that all danger of renewed strike is over.
The members of the department hailed DIR. Ben
sells decision victory. For fourteen years the
system has been enforced, and there has been
constant complaint The men said that they should
not he compelled 10 lose their pay for trivial Of
fences, and this often occurred, there was no
appeal from fine until after Il had been paid.
Dr. Bensel got 20 work early yesterday morning
IN the departments offices in the Park Row Build
ing. and there was feverish activity all day. The
new Commissioner soon made 1t known that he
wasn't going to make any changes just for the
sake of making them. but he made it just plain
that any man who didn't do his work as II should
be cone would have to find something else to do IN
hurry.
The Commissioner wasn't ready to say much
about his work. You can't expect man. ne
said. TO tell all his plans before he has been in
Charge Of department whole day. But I Will
say that such reorganization as is needed will be
effected That doesn't mean that the personnel of
the department VIII he changed. No will he
dropped unless he fails 70 do his work but there
may he general shifting around. with the idea Of
putting men where they will be able to do the lest
work
FOR thH present, at any rate Mr. Edwards VIII
continue to be deputy commissions. Whethe- or
not ne will retain that Office indefinitely cannot.
of course. say
DR.. Bensei knows more about the department
than most men taking hold OF work would he
likely to He had opportunity 10 see its work
ings during the crisis produced by the strike of the
cart drivers. and there feeling in some quar-
tiers in the department yesterday that he knew a
little too much Men who not able to measure
up TO the needs of the city and the department
were pretty thoroughly exposed I'm that time. and
good many are feeling uneasy. despite the assur-
snce that there will be no unnecessary changes.
Commissioner Bensel ran into onS difficulty about
he started work. HIS first duty was to
open bids for tho removal! of sweepings. garbage
and ashes in Brooklyn. 1t was ar easy task be-
cause there were no bids to open and serious
problem thus comes up at once. The solution neel
not be found until October, \ hve-year cOntrac-
with the Brooklyn Rapid Transit will not expire
until then.
The Brooklyn Rapid Transit had nothing to say
about the contract yesterday, except that II had
bid 10 put IN.
committee OF the street cleaning drivers called
81 the City Hail during the day TO give Mayor Nc
Clenan the memorial about the grievances of the
men that was promised several days ago, but
zoo late TO the Mayor. An appointment
made however. for this morning at lo:S0 o'clock.