Year: 1878

THE TROUBLE IN THE BOARD OF PARK COMMITS
sIoNERs-MR- wENMANs REPLY TO MR.. LANE.


The letter of Park Commissioner Lane to Comp
troller Kelly. in which he virtually charges fraud on
the Superntending Engineer of the Park Department
and places himself in direct opposition to his fellow
Commissioners has been prominent topic of
saton among the frequenters of the Hall" Mr..
wenman. the President was out of town at the time
and did not return until yesterday morning. When
the HERALD reporter asked him to give some express
sion as to the charges he declined at first to say any
thing. II don't deem it of sufficient Importance to
take any notice of it," was his remark Upon being
urged. however, he said:-


II never saw the letter until saw il in print 1t
was not Board document but simply a private
communication in answer to inquiry by Comp
troller Kelly to his personal for objectng
to the auditing Of the estimate of Decker Quintard
(for $l5,125 09 the contractors for work on the
Riverside drive, and IL was great piece of presump-
tion on his part to cause 1t to be published as
treasurer of the department. Since he was appointed
his whole aim has been to make himself president of
the Board. failing in which he has endeavorod to have
the Office of treasurer made salaried one, in which
he has also failed"


I'm declining to audit the estimate of Messrs.
Decker 4 Quintard what reason did he give You
will notice in his letter. that he claims he de-
clined the ground that from personal observation
he was satisfied that the work had not been properly
performed.


MR.. LANES AUDITING.


"Unti the last audit sheet presented his excuse
was that he had not time to examine it, The fallacy
of that is shown by his auditing other estimates at
the same meeting of the Board of which he had no
more personal knowledge than he could have
had of this particular one. At the first meeting
after he was appointed Commissioner he audited
an estimate OF Messrs Decker Quintard for
$3.50 10 for the same work. without having
had an opportunity of examining 1t, evidently not
having yet been instructed how to act. Isn't it
aatv. Tho
the importance Of protecting the interests of the city
until the OF important election, while one OF
sition of Mayor? You may not probably be aware of
the fact that is unnecessary for two auditors to
audit bill. the bylaws provide said bills must be
audited by at least one Commissioner !"


HAS this particular estimate been paid?'


Il think not. although it has been approved by the
Comptroller, who had the work examined by his own
engineer before he approved il. The payment was
stopped by Mr.. Lanes personal protest to the Mayor
to withhold his signature to the warrant which he
did. and, as l understand, the Mayor has sent
up two other engineers to examine the work. Mr..
Lane thus brings himself in direct antagonis to the
financial officer OF the city government, besides en-
failing unnecessary expense His whole attitude in
this matter would appear to be one Of personal hos
tiliy to these contractors and the department en- en-
gineer who has charge OF the work. in whom the
Board have most implicit confidence.


ALDRIcH's REMOVAL.


HE seems to feel aggrieved at the removal of Mr.
Aldrch and the appointment OF Mr.. franklin as
experimenting engineer in his stead.


THAT change was absolutely necessary. 1t was de-
manded by the property owners along the line OF the
work both by personal application and by resolutions
adopted by property owners associations. who
stated that they being subjected to great loss by
the delay in the completion of the work. 1t being
evident to the Board that the work could not be con
tinued under the supervision OF that engineer they
decided to make entire change in the engineer
corps, and appointed as engineer In charge Mr.
Thomas Franklin, who then in the employ of tho
department, and also appointed Engineer Grady,
man Of great experience in public works: With these
two men the Board have always felt confident that the
interests of the city and the department would b,
well protected. The property owners since then
have expressed at various times great satisfaction
at the manner in which the work has been carried
The attack on Engineer Franklin by Mr. Lane is quite
in keeping with his recent attack on superinten
dent, Mr. Dawson. the facts of which will be made
known at some future time.


"Have you seen Mr.. Conover's answer to Mr.
Lane. and do you corroborate his views"


..Yes; saw what published in the HERAII
and agree with him entirely. From the time he was
first appointed Commissioner he assumed powers moi
delegated TO him by the Board. such other Com
missioner assumed, and it was carried to such
extent that IL became necessary to check it. hav
an engagement to meet in u short time, you mus
excuse me from any further conversation on the snh
iccto