28 REPORT OF THE 



engineers, one painter, six gardeners and 110 laborers of all 

 grades. The largest number was employed in July, and comprised 

 a force of 159 men. At this period the force had been temporarily 

 increased in order to dispose of much extra work which the mid- 

 summer seasons made necessary. This temporary force was 

 discharged on the following month, when its numbers were 

 reduced to seventy six men. In October, and for the remainder 

 of the year, the working force numbered less than sixty men. 



The term of service of most of the men in our employ cover 

 periods extending from five to sixteen years, and many of these 

 were skilled in park work before they came here. Their long 

 training has made of most of them desirable skilled workmen, 

 whose experience and trustworthiness are a sufficient offset to 

 the waning vigor and activity which characterized their labor in 

 earlier years. 



The present organization of the Keeper Force consists of one 

 head keeper, two assistant head keepers or sergeants and two 

 acting sergeants, forty- one keepers, three station officers and 

 attendants. During the months of May, June, July, August and 

 September, the full force was employed, during the remaining 

 months of the year, the average monthly force employed was 

 thirty-two men. This force was distributed in night and day 

 service upon Prospect Park, Fort Greene, City Park, Carroll 

 Park, Tompkins Park, and for a part of the year upon the Con- 

 course at Coney Island. While the service differs in many 

 particulars from that of the ordinary police work of the city, the 

 duties are no less onerous or necessary, nor are the men less 

 serviceable and intelligent than are those employed by the city. 

 On the other hand, the ordinary daily routine of work covers a 

 longer period of duty than that of the city police, while the 

 compensation of a park keeper net him annually less than seventy 

 per cent, of that of the city police. 



With exception of eight appointments made within a year to 

 fill the then existing vacancies, it will be found that the average 

 term of service of the force will probably exceed ten years. 



