The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-27
REPLY TO MIR. SPRING.

SEATTLE, Aug. Is, 1891.
To THE EDITOR: have carefully read the
article which appeared in your issue OF the 23d,
entitled ga Critical Review of the Citys Admin
istrative Departments" and must say am more
than surprised at the supposed cause for so
lengthy an article. The writer may be me-
chanic. If SO, / would advise that he make
himself more familiar with the duties imposed
upon the several officers he so unjustly criti-
cised. The frseholders' charter provides for
three mechanical departments, and in my iudg-
ment they are much needed to forward the best
interests OF this rapidly growing city, but imme-
diately after the charter was adopted
and the officers elected or appointed,
it was discovered that the mechan-
ical wants of the city were superfuous.
Take the Office, for instance, of superintendent
OF sewers, an Office that requires long experience
and study in the business to become an expert.
That Office has been considered of no conse-
quence, and for the present has been abolished.
Then, again, there is the Office OF superinten-
dent of plumbing, that possibly adds more to
the sanitary condition OF the city than good
sewerage That office has been thought by
some and advocated ty others to be q useless
mechanical department, and as a result several
efforts have been made to abolish it. And now
/ come to q department that have had some ex-
perence in myself. refer to the Office of super
intendent of buildings, bridges and wharves,
not to speak of the many other duties connected
erous to mention. Many efforts have been
made TO absorb or cripple the Office
that Its usefulness would be entirely destroyed,
notwithstanding the fact that it is Office that
has more responsibilities connected with 1t than
any other office in the city government, and any
one that would take the trouble TO read the
duties that are required of that office by ordi-
nance will readily see the truth of my assertion.
Had the writer taken the trouble to inquire or
investigate, feel confident he would not have
made the mistake he has. Let me remind you
that there is no provision made for an assistant,
yet the superintendent is criticised because he
has placed in his office man who Is skilled in
mechanical knowledge to assist him in the per-
formance of his duties. Now. let US see what
this department. does do 1t inspects all the
public and private buildings, wharves and
bridges, and is responsible for their
safety. It issues all permits for con-
struction of new buildings and re-
pairs; superintends all the earpentering
work on all city wharves, buildings and bridges
and all the work required by the several depart
ments OF the city. In speaking of the issuing of
permits reminds me that the duties of inspector
OF buildings was consolidated with the Office of
superintendent of buildings, bridges and
wharves, yet the salary which belonged TO the
Office OF inspector of buildings was not allowed
to go with the duties of the Office when turned
over to the superintendent OF buildings, bridges
and wharves, notwithstanding he increased the
revenue OF the city from sl4 per month to $40
and as high as s204 per month, and now it is
recommended that the man that assists him be
taken out of the Office and the clerical depart
ment be turned over to the secretary of the
board of public works. That might be advisable
If the secretary Of the board of public works was
an architect or skilled workman, yet
that has not been the case with either
of the three secretaries selected by the board.
The present secretary, Mr. Holbrook, is civil
engineer, and believe stands at the head of his
profession, and makes an efficient secretary for
the board, but don't understand that he lays
any claim to any architectural skill or knowl-
edge of practical building, yet that is the knowl-
edge that is required in the Office of superinten-
dent of buildings. Notwithstanding the fact
that the present secretary of the board is over
worked, the present superintendent of build
ings has asked for nothing, but has waited to
have his needs furnished him. There is not an
other superintendent of buildings in any city in
the United States of the same population as
Seattle but 10 better provided for, both in help
and salary. L. F. COMPTON,
Superintendent B. B. and w