The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-07-27
OFFICERS SCORED.
The Alameda Grand Jury's
CaustiC Report.
Recommends the Abolition of the
Board of Public Works-City
Prison Disgrace.

The Grand Jury OF Alameda County. impan.
eled March 90. submitted Its report to Judge
Ellsworth yesterday morning. the jury was
mace up Of the following men: E. J. Blanding
Qoreman), Thomas Power secretary, 2. A.
Cox, j. K. Talcott, G. Il. Lewis, o. NJ. Sanford,
Fl. O. Eliason, d. S. NoultOn, II. NJ. Sanborn,
John &. MattOs Jr., s. NJ. Haslett Fred Becker
John Sharp, j. S. Burpee, WILDER Walker,
Charles McCleverty, q. E. Chit tenden, A. c.
Stoddard, Edward Newlands.
The report was not as voluminous as those OF
many preceding Grand Juries, but what there
was of it was pungent enough.
Only one Indictment was found out Of thir.
teen cases examined. That was against Frank
Miller. for the murder OF Manuel Quadros in
Bays Canyon several months ago.
The report first called attention TO the recent
trouble that arose out OF the retention by ex-
City Engineer Morgan of the maps. papers aud
data OF his Office when he surrendered the posi-
ton. The jury recommended that the City
Council request the Mayor, City Attorney and
City Engineer TO act as committee 10 confer
WIKI Mr.. Morgan and examine such papers and
maps. Ii these documents appear TO the COM
mittee to be public records they are to taks i'm
mediate possession OF them; II they prove 10 be
Mr.. Morgan's private property, but OF value TO
tile city, such fact should be reported TO the
City Council IN order that that body might in Its
discretion purchase the same from Mr.. Morgan.
In this connection it was recommended in the
report that the City Cler6 keep careful record
of all surveys, maps and other data, compiled
by order of the City Council or Board OF Public
Works by the CIV Engineer, and that an in
ventOry of all records III the City Engineers
Office be made Immediately, and hereafter at
least once year.
The Board OF Public Works was bitterly ar
raIgned. The language OF the report on this
subject was as follows:
we recommend that the Board of Public Works
comply with section 184 Of the charter of the
city OF Oakland by keeping its office open con-
ttnuously between the hours OF $3.50 A. NJ ana
5 2. NJ. daily, which has not been done III the
past. We recommend that the Board Of Public
Works, when acting as Police and Fire Com
missioners during Investigations 10 which
sworn testimony is taken, comply with section
164 of The charter by causing the oatbs OF wit
nesses to lie administered by member Of the
board, and not by Tie clerk or the board, as has
been done in the past
We recommend that the Board of Public
Works have at least one OF It's members present
In the of1lcr, during office hours, unless neces-
sarily absent tberefrom on PUBIC business.
there having been much complaint as TO the
difficulty of hHding the members during the
hours in which the Office is, By law. open.
From our investigation or The affairs OF the
city OF Oakland. we have concluded that much
OF Tbe charter of said city is Imperative, TO pnt
IL mildly. The evident intention Of the;charier
trainers was 10 provide In the Board OF Public
Works body VINO should transact the city
business on business principles, and as nearly
as possible in the same way that private bnsl-
ness is transacted. The Board of Public
Works 10 say The least, has never fulfilled the
great expectations which were held with regard
TO il. Owing 10 conflicts between the charter
and general law and other causes the system TO
MS seems 10 be largely failure, and likely TO
cause legal complications.
We therefore recommend that The Mayor and
Civ Council take proper steps previous 10 The
next meeting of the State Legislature to cause
such amendments TO the city charter TO be pre-.
Dared as shall correct the errors ana evils OF
The present system, or rather conflicts OF
sysfams. IL such correction be found impracii-
cable. we recommend the abolition of the Board
of Public Works, as it has largely Increased
the cost OF the city government, WINE fenost-
nc LITTLE or mn service In Its administration.
With regard to tie Third Ward schooihouse'