Los Angeles herald., 1892-12-02
LETTER BAG.
"Retrenchment and Reform. :"

"Retrenchment and Reform"
EDITORS HERALD: Now that a meet
ing of leading citizens has been held, it
may not be out of place to point out,
suggest aud discuss ways and means
whereby the above may and ought to be
carried out.
To amalgamate tie Office of county
tax collector with that of county treas
urer and that of county assessor with
that of county auditor is step in the
right direction, but only that. Suppose
we proceed further and consolidate the
Office of street superintendent and build
ing inspector with that of city engineer,
that would be reform urgently needed.
do not wish to be invidious. but let us
look how the incumbent runs his Office
as street superintendent. Twill cite one
instance only:
Eighteen months ago, more or less,
the chain gang were sent to cut and
grade East First street opposite to and
beyond Evergreen cemetery. Aftersome
weeks had been spent and very little
good accomplished, the gang was with
drawn, and up to the present time has
not again put in an appearance. Atill at
the southeast corner OF the cemetery was
partially made, but owing to the ignor-
ance or otherwise Of the superintendent,
the street was left in such way that
the rains of last winter could do nothing
else than wash away much of the filling,
leaving the street in most dangerous
state from that time until the present.
or rather last week, when men and
teams were sent to patch up the wash.
outs. Again the work has been stopped,
and the rains have taken liberties with
the freshly deposited material, and the
laet state OF East First street is worse
than the first. The street is or should
be main artery for vast tract of
country-extending from Alhambra to
Rivera-leading directly to the center
of the city. Now it is necessary to drive
by Stevenson avenue and then up Boyle
avenue until First street is reached by
those whose business lesds;them to that
street or north of it. The attempt made
now to repair the street indicates that
the Ninth ward is badly wanted to roll
up big majority on election day:
Should this matter be in the hands of
the city engineer, how much better it
would be.
Now as to the office Of building super
intendent. 1t is reported building at
lhO COlhCl VI AhOte oiiCy anu 1hiiu piOOo
is in dangerous condition, because of
insufficient foundations. The superin-
tendent has had enacted many building
laws and very extensive volume OF
specifications for the guidance of him
self or those who must build. The laws
generally in the abstract are good, but
what use are they or the superintendent
when building becomes dangerous be-
cause OF q few hours rain? Owners gen.
orally employ architects to see that
buildings are properly constructed. II
the profession has qualified men in its
ranks-and no doubt it has-what need
is there for building superintendent? :?
A civil engineer ought TO know the
necessary thickness of walls, etc., and
could, if necessary, have that or other
items attended to by deputy or one Of
his deputies.
The mayor and council only ought to
be elected. Apart from politics all
other officers should be appointed by
them, selecting the best qualified in
every case. The city engineer ought to
be permanent officer. His work in
city is of such a nature that he ought
not to be depending on any CLIQUE for
nomination or party for election.
The expiring city council has wrestled
long with the office of plumbing in
spector. Such au officer should never
be appointed. We have sanitary in
spectors, and one or more of their mum.
ber, if plumbers, could see to having
plumbing ordinances obeyed, which
would be sufficient safeguard to the
city'a health and saving to the tax
payer.
Those who have had the experience
know how vexatious it is to have to 60
to the engineers Office to obtain grades,
etc.; next to the street superintend-
ent's Office for permit to open streets,
etc., and then the building superintend.
ent's Office for his permit to build, be-
fore building. Suppose all those Offices
were consolidated, as pointed out, how
much time, energy and taxpayers
money would be saved? How much
more satisfactory would the "works de-
partment" of the city be administered
The time is come when many offices
should be abolished and the best men
appointed where absolutely necessary.
EN- AvANT.
Smelters at Butte,