The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-28
THE WORK OF REFORM.
Board of Public Works TO be Con-
centrated.

centrated.
The subcommittee of the committee on re.
trenchment appointed by the city council met
yesterday afternoon, with Delegate Bagley in
the chair, Aldermen Hall aud Miller aud Dele
gates Lansing and Jones present.
After an informal discussion OF the scheme to
be followed the several subdivisions of the
board of public works were canvassed. 1t was
the general opinion that the water superintend-
emit, street superintendent, sewer superintend-
ent, superintendent of buildings and city engi-
neer were to be considered as employees OF the
board, and that any assistance they needed
should be afforded by the board under the
direction of the secretary.
Mr.. Hall moved that il be the sense OF the CON-
mittec that the water Office consist OF the super
intendent only, and of such clerks as the board
of public works shall determine.
Mr.. Jones said he believed the board of public
works was higher body than the council had
made it. Its powers were greater than had been
assumed
Mr.. Hall thought that the superintendent of
water-works was the same as the street COM
missioner, and the clerks should be the clerks
of the board. He advised also, that the super
intendent of streets should take charge OF sew
ers.
The duties of superintendent of sewers were
then discussed at some length.
1t was proposed that all moneys received from
water rents or building permits be peid direct
To the city treasurer. A question arose as to
the construction of the charter on the subject,
but 1t was agreed that the full spirit of the char
ter would be complied with by the superintend-
ent keeping the accounts.
Mr.. Jones moved that all the clerks of the
several departments of the board of public
works be directly under their control, and
should not be considered clerks for any special
purpose, but be assistants to the secretary.
II was then resolved that the street commits
sioner be also x-ofiiciosuperintendent of
sewers.
At this stage the work of the committee was
reviewed and the following general resolution
adopted:
Resolved, That all of the several departments
under the control of the board of public works
shall be concentrated into one office under the
immediate supervision aud direction of said
board of public works Also that the water de-
partment consist OF a superintendent of water
system, and such employees as are necessary;
the Office work to be performed at the office of
the board OF public works. Also that the super
lntendent OF the water-works be, and he is
hereby considered the chief engineer and super
intendent OF the water-works
The city engineers office was then dsseeted.
1t was mentioned that the force had been con-
siderably reduced and was possibly as low as it
could be- Itwas finally determined to include
that office ia the general resolution.
I'VE can then Afford" said Mr.. Bagley, "to
pay the secretary good salary. He must be a
man who can reorganize the whole system, and
believe we've got the man who can do it,"
The board of health came in for a considera-
BILE share of criticism. The necessity of provid-
ing an Office was considered, and it was resolved
that, so long as a rent had TO be paid, certain
sum should be set apart by the council.
1t was resolved that the Office of inspector of
plumbing be abolished, land that some meas
ures be taken to check the extravaganza of the
department"
Mr.. Hall said the entire county expense
wasn't half that of the city
'lf, he said, ''the city council did its business
as loosely as the board of public works is doing,
the city would soon be swampted. The same
may be said of the health board. The entire
work OF that board is left to the secretary, who
seems to have greater power to contract bills
than any other officer in the city government"
IL was resolved to refer the matter of the
health board to the appropriate committees of
the city council.
The committee adjourned to meet on Saturday
at clock.