The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-06-03
IS NOT A CLERK.
Superintendent Ackerson
Before the Board.
HE DENIES ALL CHARGES
Supervisor Dundon Asserts That the
Street Laborers Are Not Doing
Fair Days Work.

Superintendent of Streets Ackerson and
his chief deputy, Larry WEIGH. were be-
fore the Board of Supervisors yesterday
morning sitting as q committee OF the
whole.
''Mr. WEIGH" asked Supervisor James.
"whv is i: that your Office las not fur
nished US with monthly account OF your
receipts and expenditures? Have you any
report ready?"
mo. sir. We were only summoned to
appear here, but we do not know for what
purpose"
Ibid you not receive our notices to file
monthly statements with the board ?"
asked Chairman Denman.
I'VE may have"
Then why Cid you not comply with
them?"
Supervisor Dundon arose and spoke in
the plain. blunt manner that characterizes
all his speeches:
II don't see any reason why we should
heat about the bush in this matter. Why
don't the board go straight at the root OF
this thiug2 There IS DO intention to throw
any odium on Mr.. Ackerson, but we want
to know how this money was spent SO that
his funds were overdrawn. 1t is our pur-
pose to see that the city gets a satisfactory
amount of work done Tor the money eA-
pended"
James-There Is no intention to cast
odium on anybody. The money has been
spent, aud we want to know where II mas
gone. 1t is the duty of the Finance Com
mittee TO keep all the departments within
the limit.
Superintendent Ackerson addressed the
board and said that ii some of the ollls
paid out of his funds were omitted he
would not have run behind at all. there
was the County Surveyor who go, got S20Oo
and a contractor who obtained $4,000
Besides [ did all the work ordered by
the Board of Health and the Board of
Supervisors. Now | want to know why
il is this little overdrawing is being used
against me. | simply want to know
whether | am Superintendent II Streets or
n clerk of the Supervisors. The sooner L
find out the better, SO that [ may know
how to act"
The tone of Superintendent Ackerson
was very uucompromlslng, ana ne evil
IDENTIFY meant business. Don't you think
this money was judiciousIy nsed? Z" he
asked OF Denman.
Denman-I am only one of twelve. but
do not think it was.
Dundon-We may as well go straight TO
the point in this matter. 1t Is pretty gener-
ally known that we have received numer-
Gus complaints that the men who are en-
ployed in the Street Department are not
properly doing their duty. 1t Is openly
asserted that in all parts of the city-and l
am ready 10 believe it from my own ObSer-
vaton-the street men are not giving
d fair return for good days wages The
men employed are not doing good work.
There was a dead silence, and the pro-
ceedinGs drifted in another direction. A
discussion arose between Denman and
Larry Welch, relative to the respective
powers of the board and the Street Super
intenGeDt.
Deputy WEIGH gave long account of the
amount of work that had been done by the
Street Superiute ndent in the cleaning and
repairing of sewers, and said his depart
mPnt had been complimented by the Health
Officer and merchants all over the city for
the manner In which the streets received
attention on complaints being made.
Denman-There is general feeling that
your men have not done good work for the
money. The board would not object to
you having 100 men if the city got Il good
turn by it.
Superintendent Ackerson strongly con-
trOyerted this idea and said 1t was possible
that some men iOafeG, bat 1t was ImDossi-
bic 10 watch them continuously. 1t was
the nature Of the wOrkmen to shlrk work.
Another discussion arose between Acker-
son and Denman. Ackerson claimed that
the board had the right to appoint only
four gardeners under the law. re had the
power to appoint tie others. The board
could only limit the number Of laborers.
Denman claimed otherwise.
Supervisor RYAN, am glad to see that
the question has got where we can under-
stand it. II has simmered down TO a ques-
ton Of patronage.
Il repudiate any such thing" said
DenmaD hotly. Il have no patronage
and am not seeking it,"
Since we have accomplished so much"
said Supervisor Farman with n sarcastic
ring IN his voice, 81 move we adjourn"
The motion was carried.
Superintendent Ackerson has not yet re-
appointed any of the army of men he dis
= charged on Thursday. If be continues
this course for some little time he Will soon
be within the appropriation. Tho Super
visors are disposed to allow him more
than 100 men, and 1t is thought they will
let him have just enough to keep within
his appropriation.
Still the Supervisors insist he must re-
port his receipts and expenditures, and if
lie does not the Finance Committee will
withhold the warrants of his men.