Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-03-27
A CONFERENCE.
Meeting Of the COuncilmen
and Commissioners.
RECENT REDUCTIONS DISCUSSED.
The Three Commissions Ask That
Their Appointments be Increased
and Salaries Raised.

ing to police, fire and health are left in
the hands of three separate Commits
sions, the members of which are not in
the Council. At the meeting OF the
Council on Friday last an ordinance was
passed fixing the salaries of the various
officials and public servants and provid-
ing for a reduction of the police force.
The various Commissions met in the
course of the week and found that they
are inclined to take exception TO num-
ber OF changes which had been made
and it was proposed that general con-
ference should take place at which all
the Boards of Commissioners and the
Councilmen should be present.
The meeting was called to order at
little before 2: 80 by Mayor Hazard, who
stated the object for which it had been
called. On motion of Mr.. Frankenteld,
Mr.. Hazard was elected to serve as
Chairman. Mr.. Robinson, the Mayors
Clerk, was chosen to serve as Secretary.
Mayor Hazard said that he was un-
willing to veto or take other action on
the ordinance until it had been discussed
by the Commissions in the presence OF
the Council.
There was some discussion of the ques-
ton of how the matter could be most
expeditiously brought before the meet
ing. Mr.. Hamilton moved that the
members of the Council there present
request the Mayor to return the ordi-
ce for further consideration. Only
members of the Council voted on this
question, and the motion was carried
unanimously.
Major Bonsall asked whether this
action was legal, as the meeting of the
Council had not been formally called.
The Mayor explained that it was merely
a matter of informally recommending
action, which would have to be confirmed
at some regular meeting.
The Mayor then began to read over the
ordinance, asking to be interrupted when
ever any member of the Commission saw
fit to object to any item in the document.
In the provision for the Mayors Clerk,
the ordinance arranges for his services
as clerk of the various commissions.
Major Furrey said that he thought it
was impossible for the clerk to do all the
work that was allotted to him by the or
dinance, and that special clerk ought to
be appointed to serve as secretary to the
meetings of the commissions and clerk
for the business which they transacted.
Mr.. Frankenfeld said that he thought
that Mr.. Robinson could just as we'll
serve with the commissions. The salary
had been raised to its present figure with
that understanding.
Mr.. Keefe was of the opinion that the
Fire Department had altogether too
much work to be done to get along with
such little service as the Mayors clerk
could give.
DIR. Kuntz, of the Health Board, said
that as far as the work of that board was
concerned it might be done by the
Health Office or by an assistant city phy-
sician.
Mayor Hazard testified to the fact
that Mr.. Robinson was very hard
worked man.
Mr.. J. Kuhrts said that this work for
the Commissioners had always been
done by the Mayors clerk, and he saw
no reason why it should not be done by
him now, especially as he was placed on
an increased salary. In the Fire depart
ment he thought that it was a good
thing to provide some work for the Chief
and Assistant Chief, who had none too
much work to do.
Mr.. Shafer made suggestion to the
effect that after the extra work, which
naturally came at the very beginning of
the term, was over, Mr.. Robinson would
probably experience no difficulty in
doing all that would be required by the
Commissioners.
Mayor Hazard put an end to the dis
cussion by advising that the present
arrangement be continued for time.
The next item in the ordinance related
to the salary of the Chief of the Fire De-
partment. Mr.. Summerland moved that
it be restored to the old figure of $175 a
month.
Mr.. Frankenfeld objected to the Coun-
Gil taking any action in the form OF re-
considering it's former decision, except it
be done regularly and legally under the
rules of the organization.
Mr.. Hamilton suggested that as this
was merely meeting for the purpose OF
apprising the Council of the views OF the
Commissioners, the members of the
Board concerned should in each case dis
cuss and vote upon the matter which was
under consideration. This proposition
was agreed to.
Mr.. Kuhrts moved that the salaries in
the fire department be restored to their
old figures, and all the members of the
Fire Commission voted aye.
The part of the ordinance relating to
salaries in the Police Department and
the appointment of Captain of the
chain-gang and Police Surgeon was then
read. Major Furey gave it as his opin-
ion that the Captain of the chain-gang
should be appointed by the Police Com
mission inasmuch as he was responsible
to the Chief of Police.
DR.. Kurtz, of the Health Board, put
forward new idea with regard to the
Police Surgeon. He said twas the views
of most of the Commission of which he
was member, that the Police Surgeon,
should be appointed by their Board, and
be responsible to it. In this opinion he
was warmly seconded by the Mayor.
Mr.. Hamilton said that the reason
why the Council had seen fit to make
these appointments was that it had Gre
ated the offices and considered it a
natural prerogative following thereunto
that they should fill them.
Discussion continued for time on the
matter of the captain of the chain.gang and
vote of the Police Commission was finally
taken on the question of whether he
should be elected or at least appointed by
the Police Commission. All the Com
missioners who were present voted in
favor of the proposition.
Major Furrey then moved that the
Council be asked to restore the former
number of policemen at the old salary.
The new Chief stated in very en-
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