The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-02
.COGSWELL'S GIFT.
The Financial Statement
Looks Very Bad.
TRUSTEES IN A BAD LIGHT.
Liabilities Heavy and Very Little
Money on Hand to Pay Neces-
sary Expenses.

The statement requested by Mayor Ellert
from the trustees of the Cogswell Poly
technical School has been submitted for
his consideration. 1t must be confessed
it is a rather discouraging document to
peruse, 1t shows that the former trustees
turned over to the present board. on April
10, the sum of $500 IS, which, with a
further sum of $1,000 since received, makes
the total amount of money to be drawn
against $500 73.
Since that date there has been disbursed
S1S73 40. which, with sundry other bills
amour ing to 1896 80. makes the expendi-
ture account S2469 10. and leaves balance
now on hand of 5000 o.
Against this balance has been presented ::
Presumably valid unpaid bills. $2,473 80
Also liza bilties:
For street improvements. nearly COM
plete. ,.-.............. 5000 90
Suit in Department A, now pending.... 5,76S 76
Total. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 2.759 IS
Yesterday the Mayor addressed a short
note to W. Il. Baggett, attorney for the
Board of Trustees. asking to be informed
whether the school would be reopened at
the beginning of the next term on July TO-
During the AFTERNOON Mayor Ellert re-
ceived an answer to his communication, in
which the counsel presents some very
curious facts, illustrating the tangle into
which the institution has been allowed to
drift. Mr.. Baggett intimates that in the
premises he is unable to state what the
Board intends to do, but it seems plainly
to appear from the financial statement
that, unless the leaves and fishes episode
be repeated, and little over $4,000 be made
to do duty for the full extent of the liabili-
ties, not to mention the running expenses.
which are in excess of the income, the
school Will not be reopened.
'When former Board" writes AttOr-
ney Baggeit. twas confronted with a SINH
lar state of affairs it sought relief by aban.
doDing the school under the trust and
leased the property to the Board of Edu-
cation of this city and county for term of
three years for 81 year, thus hoping that
there would be an accumulation of funds
by the end Of that term with which the
school could be reopened and conducted
under the provisions Of the trust deed. At
the end OF the term there was on hand
only $4,000, Outstanding there had
been $3.50 received during the period.
Il am Informed that it cost the city and
county about $4,000 year to MAINTAIN
the school during that period. so that now
we have an annual expenditure of about
$40. COO for that term with an income Of
$4,000"
The communications goes on to show that
last term the school was carried on at an
expense somewhat in excess of the income
only by employing inefficient and insult
ficient teachers and abandoning a course
Of study in many things required by the
terms OF the tru.t.
According to the requirements Of the
trust, also, it will be necessary to make
| further outlay for machine shop, fOun-
| dry and Otbrr mechanical apparatus and for
the bul dings requisite for such purposes.
How can this be DONE" inquiries Mr.
Baggett, land the school kept omen at an
expense in excess of the income? 1t Is
problem the board will have TO solve IL
possible"
The mayor is then quietly asked what
business he has TO interfere anyway.
Your communication" runs the letter,
lis signed officially. but is answered in
Difference to you as a gentleman and pub
lie citizen for whom |. In common with the
whole community, have the greatest re-
spect; but while according to you the best
motives for concerning yourself in the
| matter OF the opening OF the school,
must respectfully suggest that your inter-
ference in the matter is wholly bout
authority. The conduct and managem mi
| of the trust are nfided by its terms wholly
to the trustees and not to the Mayor.
Whether the school can and ought 10 be
opened, and the time of its opening, is
left by the provisions Of the trust deed to
the discretion of the trustees, without in
reference on the part of anyone. and SUBJ
jsct only to wilful abuse of discretion
which can be controlled only by the courts
in proper proceeding"
Although a considerable amount of in
formation is furnished Mayor Ebert it is
scarcely of the kind lie wants. The time
for the school to reopen is at hand, and if
categorical answer had been given TO his
inquiry it would have been possible for
him to take legal steps to have the matter
inquired INTO. probably by serving out a
writ of mandamus. AS the case stands.
however, it looks as If he will have to
await Developments and see what the
School Trustees do.
DAVID HUNTERS ESTATE.