New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-25
PARK SHAKE-UP COMING
Slower Orders Examination OF
700 Men, Through FosdIck.
DlSMISSALS WILL FOLLOW
Nav Abolish Observatory, Retire
Menagerie Director and Re-
duce Superintendent.

Fo,Iowing a long conference Of PARK
Commissioner Slower and Raymond b. Eos
dick. Commissioner OF Accounts. yesterday
afternoon at the Arsenal. in Central Park
q was learned that the whole laborins
force Of the Park Department, numbering
more than seven hundred men, would DC
subjected to an examination for efficiency
It was also learned that John H. Beatty
at present Superintendent Of Parks. but
whose resignation has been requested by
Commissioner Slower, would be offered a
place as assistant superintendent.
To conduct the examination Of the labor
ing force. the foremen included. Commis-
sloner Fosdick has placed one Of his men
(Mr Hilte) in charge Of the laborins force
for the next thirty days. The men VIII be
summoned individually. and where 1t Is
shown there is incompetency such incom-
petents will be dismissed at once.
The purpose Of this investigation, II was
said. was TO relieve a condition bordering
or a hopeless sag I'm the working ef-
nciency Of the laboring force.
II is probable. when the thorough in
vestigation Of the Park Department is COM
Melted, that Il Will also be recommended
70 Commissioner Slower that John Smith
the aged director Of the Central Park
nnenagerie. who receives a salary OF $1,000
a year. be retired on half pay. II may also
be recommended that the meteorological OBJ
servatory In the Arsenal re done away
with. IN view Of the expense 10 the city
In o a.
erel observatory In this city covers the
Same ground" IT was said IN the depart
ment yesterday that It cost 5000 .or more
q year 20 maintain IT,
In that part Of the report dealing with
tho lob OF superintendent OF supplies and
repairs, held for many years by the late
Charles Woodman. II Will be advised by
the examiners Of the Commissioner OF Ac-
counts that this place be abolished and
the salary, which is $4,000, be used 10 aug
rnent the Park Department clerical force
with two or three clerks.
When Commissioner Fosdiok was asked
by Commissioner Slower TO make an IN
vestigation OF the Park Department no one
besides the Park Commissioner knew how
far IL would extend. Last night officials
OF the department. when informed Of the
action 70 be taken regarding the laboring
force. said It was the only time in the
history Of the department that such a
shRke-up had been instituted.
but II VIII be a healthy shake-up," said
one official. The laboring force. as well
as other branches Of the department. has
got in a rut."
Although Commissioner Slower would not
discuss the possible transfer Of Superin-
tendent Beatty 10 assistant superintendent
II was believed that such a course would
be pursued. and that Mr.. Beatty would
accept. In view Of the statement Of Com
missioner Slower earlier in the week that
there were three or four ways" OF settling
the Beatty matter. this was looked on as
one of the three or four to be acceptable
10 all concerned
The weather observatory in the Arsenal
preceded any of the federal observatories.
and the instruments used were invented by
Professor Draper. who is still in charge.
Its observations have been used by the
city in number Of important lawsuits in
which weather statistics were Of much
value in the determination or evidence.