The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-25
POWER OF THE BOARD
Proposed Competing of the
Public Works Department.
VIEWS or LEADING OFFICIALS
All Agree That the System II Too Diff
fuse-MaJor Rinehart Foresaw the
Necessity of . Change.

The proposed reorganization of the depart
ments of the board of public works into one
compact system, which is to be the task of
sub committee of five appointed at the last
meeting of the city council retrenchment COM
mittee, has attracted considerable attention.
The heads of the departments concerned are
generally agreed that ii is perfectly practicable
and in the main a wise measure.
Chairman Cochran, of the board of public
works. said he had assumed that the perpetual
ton OF the old system was unavoidable, but
since the matter had been started he not only
saw the perfect simplicity OF the proposed rear
rangement, but could call to mind many in
stances where friction had been caused by the
absence of consolidation.
"0nly few days ago. he said, "the board
discovered that assessments for street grade
work are now being made by the city engineer.
and the board had no record whatever, either of
the amounts or of the time devoted to the work
by the city engineers staff. How can any bust
ness-like accounts be kept in such way? ad-
nit that the transaction itself was perfectly
right. The assessment is now made by the front
foot and not by valuation OF adjoining property,
and the city engineer, who has the data, had
been asked by the comptroller who formerly did
the work, to supply the figures. The board of
public works is especially created to shoulder
responsibility, and now IL is divided by reason
OF the old practices being continued"
Major Rinehart said he was thoroughly salts
fed not only of the practicability of the scheme,
but OF its necessity. 81 have often turned the
matter over in my mind, and if were not
member of the board, would sneak much more
emphatically on the subject 1t was not an easy
matter to take up long pending and complicated
matters and carry them out. feeling our way
through untried channels. The board had con-
siderable to do SO as to get pressing demands
met, but we soon realized that the machinery
was too cumbersome. shall be very glad to
see the committee of five get to work. confess
was surprised to find somebody else thinking
on lines so similar to my own. There can be no
doubt that the result will be greater efficiency
and greater economy"
Alderman Snyder approved of the scheme
except as to one part. He pointed out that the
charter expressly provided that the superin-
tendent of water works should collect the water
taxes and pay them to the city treasurer daily.
President Hall, of the board of aldermen, who
has had many years of experience in city gov
eminent, heartily approves it. He has fire.
quently urged the uniformity of system in col
lecting the city's revenue. He is of the opinion
that every dollar of city money should be paid
direct to the city treasurer. He is, indeed, the
author of the proposition to require fees for
building permits, water rates and license
money to be paid into the treasury direct, but
requiring the documents connected Herewith
TO be issued by the several branches upon pre-
sentatiOn OF the treasurer receipt ana c0mpll
ance with legal requirements
Alderman Miller, whose experience has been
fully as extended and possibly more varied than
that of Mr.. Hail. is among the most earnest sup
porters of the new plan. He Endorses the theory
that although the charter says the superin-
tendent shall collect the water taxes, he does
not do it because it is impossible. He is COM
PEELED to depute it to Others and has no specific
authority to appoint others to do that duty.
Mr.. Miller considers, however that the authority
of the superintendent should be as full as the
charter intended in the control of the depart
ment.
City Treasurer Ames was asked how he
thought the rec organization would work He re-
piled that he had no special desire to increase his
own responsibility and work but he could not
fail to see that the want OF uniformity in practice
was very Objectionable. He expressed a desire
not to forestall inquiries which might be made
by the committee Mr.. Ames Is always cour-
teous but he has very set views with regard to
the propriety OF discussing the business OF other
departments.
The subcommittee of five will meet on Wed
nesday afternoon in the aldermen's chamber to
take testimony
The opinion of Commissioner G.. II. Heilbron
on the subject would be very valuable, but he
has gone of on three days Watching cruise in
order to recuperate after his long Illness