The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-09-22
ANDY CLUNIE'S SCHEME.
Indignant Protests From Mis-.
sion Property Owners.
THE STEAL WILL BE FOUGHT.
An Expert to Be Employed to Examine the
Books-Ths Real Estate Union in Dead
Earnest

If Andy Clunle and his fellow commits
sioners in the Sixteen to- street extension
had been present at the meeting of the Mis-
sion Real Estate Union at Guerrero and
Twentieth streets last night they would
have been W illing TO discount for cash at
least 80 per cent Of the bills recently rem
dered by them to the Board of Supervisors
for their services in this connection.
While the meeting was not large one in
point of numbers, it represented some Of
those who are most largely interested TO
prevent the consummation of what the
union is pleased to call most fraudulent
scheme.
President j. V. Taylor presided, E.
j. Mcnamara acting as secretary.
The first business in order was report
from the special committee appointed to
wait upon the platform committees of the
Republican and Democratic parties in refer
ence to the insertion Of planks denouncing
the proposed scheme. The committee re-
ported success beyond their most sangulne
expectations, referring to the platforms
themselves as proof of their statements
A unanimous vote OF thanks was given
the committees. which was accepted by the
respective chairmen In pointed addresses,
Mr.. Smith claiming to have only done his
duty in the promises, and Indignantly de-
nying the charge that either himself or his
fellow-committeemen had been paid for
their services.
Mr.. Van Duzer said that the planks in
both party platforms were leadplpe clnches
on any representative who undertook to
violate them.
The executive committee reported having
met Messrs Taber and Burling of the
Street Committee of the Board of Super
visors yesterday in reference TO the Clunie
ice zion o,,Hc tod n a
ton of at least 90 per cent In the expense
bill presented by the Commissioners, which
thew considered unjust, arbitrary, uncalled
for and little short of daylight robbing.
Mr.. Van Duzer attacked the report OF the
commission in detail showing that it claimed
to have spent S52 600, when one-fifth OF that
sum would have been ample compensation
for the work done.
Continuing, Mr.. Van Duzer stated that
when Supervisor Taber called Clunie's at
tention to the fact that the commission had
presented bill for the services Of three
commissioners, twelve clerks. an attorney,
engineer, drGughtsman, auditor and three
experts, and wanted 10 know what this
army Of officers had done, Clunie didn't
know.
To each and all the Undergraduates of the
Supervisors the memory Of Clunie was
equally treacher0uS
An attempt was then made to learn who
the men were who had been so handsomely
provided for by Clunie's commission. aud
the first one of the clerks located was Will
liam Broderck, the Democratic candidate
for Auditor, of whom 1t was facetl0usly re-
marked by one Of the committee that the
union need have no fear of his suing for
his diyvY until after the election.
John L. Hall. another beneficiary to the
tune OF 5000, was discovered 70 have been
employed on the Van Ness Avenue Com
mission at the same time.
Oscar Painter turned out to be brother
Of the Commissioner. The two Fords are
brothers Of the ex-School Director, and
carry on ii plumbing business on Ellis
street, near Larkln. Why they should neg
lect their plumbing business to engage in
clerical work was beyond the ken OF the
committee.
And 80 1t went through the list Every
man almost whom the committee could
locate had other employment at the same
time.
Tho greatest difficulty the committee
met, however, was to locate many of the So
called attaches of the commission. and they
were forced to the painful conclusion that
they existed only on paper.
Among other Items was a bill of $1,000
from Vircher and Kerr for clerical work.
as these gentlemen were not in the list of
twelve clerks the query arose as to how the
said clerks were employed while Messrs.
Fircher and Kerr were doing their work.
method to be adopted TO head off the pro-
posed steal, it was suggested by Mr. Center
that an expert be employed TO carefully ex-
anime the books and report to the union as
early as practicable just what work had
been actually performed and what would be
a reasonable compensation for the same
Mr.. Center said that while the union would
pay for any and all work actually done, it
did not propose to be bIed by the commits
sion for the benefit of lot of loafers, whose
names did not appear in the Directory,
much less on the tax-roll.
Mr.. Smith stated that after a careful eX-
animation of all matters connected with the
Commissioners, he was satisfied that S10,-
commission.
Mr.. Van Duzer attacked the work of the
commission In the damages awards, show
ing that in many instances the amounts al
lowed exceeded the assessed value of the
property ten times, notable instance being
two lots belonging TO the George Hearst
estate, which are assessed at $3.50, and for
portions only of which the commission
allowed damages TO the tune of about $1,000.
Mr.. Hober called attention to the fact
that some of the items contained in the ex-
pense account of the commission were not
properly made, they being personal accounts
of the Commissioners.
The union is thoroughly in earnest in its
determination not to submit to the extor-
tionate demands of the commission. and
having a membership OF over 100 property
owners, there is no lack OF funds to fight
Clunie's commission
Regular meetings are held on Wednesday
evenings of each week at the corner Of
Guerrero and Twentieth.