The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-07-23
POINTS ON MUNICIPAL REFORM q
r.
How the Public Service Can Be
Greatly Improved,
With the Advantage Of Saving the
Peoples Money.
The Proposed License Inspector Not
Nesded-What tho Police Foros
Should Do Park Expenses
Should BE Reduced.

There docs not seem to be much dis
position on the part of the council to
curtail the expenses OF the city tax col
lector'a Office, as result OF the passage
Of the new license ordinance.
The new law chops OFF ct least 1926, 900
of the city revenue and cuts down the
work OF this department nearly one halt.
There is a scheme now working to put
on license inspector, whose business 1t
will be TO nose around and ascertain IT,
any persons, liable under the law, do
not pay their licenses. There is really
no need for such an inspector, If ths
police department. could be depended
on to do its duty. The chief of police
and his force are supposed to see that
the city ordinances are enforced, and is
would be most excellent idea to re-
quire each officer to familiarize himself
with the license law. and then make q
careful canvass OF the houses on his beat
and report all persons to the chief who.
by the law, ere required to pay license,
The license records can be then exam
lueu hOAbHly ailu q poIIcCb CA6Ck KEPT
The Inauguration of this System would
be much more effective than the EN-.
ployment of one man to do the work
at An additional salary. although it
might throw come ward striker out OF
the prospect OF a fat job.
The same rule should be adopted with
reference to the sprinkling of the streets
and the street sweeping. Each and
every policeman should be supplied with
copy OF the specifications with regard
to street sprinkling and sweeping on his
beat, while the police sergeants should
have general supervision of the districts
and should have printed blanks, which
should be filed in to show the condi-
tons OF the contracts for this class OF
work are complied with. There is really
no safeguard for the city and complaints
OF violations are not infreQuent, par.
tcularly with regard to street sprinkling.
BY adopting this rule the office OF street
eprinkllng inspector, practically sine.
cure. could be abolished and aalary OF
$l0S0 per snnum saved to the munich
pality. As this work comes under the
head of the health department, the
health officer or his assistant could put
in some of his leisure time in keeping q
general lookout over the work and in
the event of any policeman neglecting
his duty or classifying report he could .
be dealt with peremptorily. When they
understood that they would be held to q
rigid accountability there would be no
neglect. The above suggestions are in
line with the policy OF the most pro.
gressive eastern cities, particularly with
reference to the effective enforcement OF
tho license ordinance, and they have the
additional rnarif nf ha
expenses OF the city as we'll Ga insuring
tina -ahsnlnts -fplfllna4-s Of tho asrsst7
sprinkling and sweeping contracts.
An examination of the unexpended
balances in the different park funds
shows that there are about $4,000 carried
over to their credit from the fiscal year
ending on the first of the current
month. This amount added to the eeti-
mates of the park commissioners, $685.
COO. would make $4,000 at the disposal
OF the parks for the new fiscal year. 1t
might be stated that the lions share OF
this residue is in the East Los Angeles
park, Westlake, E1ysian and Echo park
funds. By making a cut of $4,000 in
tbs park estimates there would be $780,
600 remaining for the maintenance OF
the parks for the ensuing year, and GER
tainly in period of depression like the
present no councilman who is serving
the taxpayers honestly would have the
temerity to advocate the further ex-
pansion and development of the parks
this year. Any taxpayer can ascertain
that they are in good condition at pres.
emit, and rather than impose a greater
burden than 81 per 500 of valuation
the councilmen should simply vote
auffi cient money for the maintenance of
the parks. This can be done for $26, 900
to $29, 1000, and If the present force OF
workmen cannot keep the lawns aprin-
killed. and the walks in condition it can
be done for much cheaper figure by
contract.
The question of making additions to
certain of the city parks at an outlay OF
at least 100000, which Councilman
Rhodes sprung on the public at the last
session of the city council, is one that
the taxpayers can deal with when they
are asked to vote to increase the bonded
debt OF the city $500. 900 for more park
land, with another proposition of $780,
900 for additional school buildings star
ing them in the face. 1t does not look
like good judgment or statesmanship on
the part of any councilman to push such
a scheme to the front during the pres
ent hard times. Mr.. Rhodes will likely
hear from his constituents ON this point
later ON.
The plea for 81 rate OF tax. made BY
the HERALD, together with the sum-
mary of figures showing how such rate
can be made possible, is nesting with
unusual favor among the taxpayers, and
the office. holding barons in the city hall
will have to submit to some judicious
shaving In the matter of their estimates
when the council thoroughly awakens
to the wishes of their constituents.
Last June, Dick Crawford brought his ?
12.months-old child. suffering from in
fantile diarrhes, to me. 1t had been
weaned at 4 months old, and being sickly
everything ran through 1t like water
through sieve. gave it the usual
treatment in such cases, but without
bensfit. The child keptgrowing thinner,
until it weighed but little more than
when born, or. perhaps, 10 pounds. I
then started the father to giving Cham
berlsin's Collie. Cholera and Diarrhea
Remedy. Before one bottle of the 25.
cent size had been used, a marked i'm
provement was seen, and its continued
use cured the child. Its weakness and