The herald., 1894-05-26
CAUSTIC GRAND JURY REPORT
The Supervisors Ro ad Manage.
j ment Criticised
lily Auditor Teale and the Water
0yerseer Roasted.
Engineer Dockweiler Pronounced
Model Ofioer-strict Regulations
for Slaughter Houssa-Om-
cial Extravaganza.

The grand jury yesterday afternoon
made another partial report to Judge
smith in department one of the superior
:, court, calling attention to the manner
in which several county and city officials
conduct their Offices.
y. The jury gave no intimstion as to
when they will be ready with their final
feport. The following is the document,
In substance:
THE CITY AUDITOR.
The city auditor keeps few books.
These are principally of a general nature,
showing the amount OF cash which the
city should have in it's various funds,
together with the general expenditures
of the different departments. They up
pear to be correct as far as they 90, but
it is evident that the auditor has an i'm
perfect comprehension of the duties and
responsibilities of the Office. His salary
ia $4,000 year, which should command
the best possible service.
The report here calls attention to the
powers and duties of the auditor and
3 quotes sections 43 and 2l7 of the charter
rslstive thereto. 1t then continues as
follows.
1t will be seen from this that COM
fprehensive superintendence of all books
and accounts of the city government in
it's various departments is required of
him, and he ia given power TO enforce
such reports and such system OF book
keeping as will be most advantageous to
the interests OF the city.
The auditor has been particularly lax
in keeping his accounts with the water
aoverseer. His books show that an &C
tual monthly settlement, for the BUSH
ness OF the preceding month. has been
made in only eight OF the 16 months
fsince January l, 1898. The difference
has been over in some months and short
in others, but there has been no accu-
Hrate monthly settlement insisted upon.
Ii he and his predecessor had prop
erly discharged their duties, it would
have been impossible for the street de-
partment to have been run in the loose
manner shown in our report. Again, in
order to enable him to examine month
! ly, check and stamp with his approval
the books of the various departments,
they should all be kept in conformity to
general plan, as those of large cor
poration, each department keeping its
own, but under the supervision of the
main Office. which is the auditors.
The departments OF the city engineer
and street superintendent expend large
amounts every year, mostly, however,
for labor; the supplies being nearly all
purchased by the council. The auditor
should see that these departmepts keep
complete and accurate time books show
ing where each man in the employ of
the department was engaged every day
or part OF day, stating the work ne was
on /; and at the end of the month the
time should be charged up to the
different branches OF the work of the de-
partment. He should also see that the
books OF the department chow the ma
terial received, and that upon its use it
Is charged to the different branches, as
suggested in regard to the labor. The
auditor should see that sll inspectors
make daily reports in writing OF the work
done, materials used and such other
data as may be found to be OF value.
Such system as this properly
planned and conscientiously carried out
/ would meet the approval OF every citi.
zen, and enable the auditor to make @
report that could be understood by every
intelligent taxpayer in the city. An
official who would refuse to keep the
necessary books would rarely be found,
\ for the neglect to do 40 seems to be due
| principally to lack of knowledge of
what is requisite should. however, such
a man be encountered. the auditor has
power to bring him to terms by refusing
to audit his warrant until his books are
in such condition as will make rapid
and thorough examination possible.
While at present the books in some Of
the Offices ere all that could be desired,
1t is no surety that they will not be
neglected under future administrations.
The adoption of such system as we
Suggest would hold each man to uni
form and complete manner of keeping
fhe records of the city's work.
While the auditor ia blamable in not
having followed the charter in the per-
ormance OF some OF his duties, he de-.
erves hearty commentator for resist
ng some OF the improper and fraudu-
ent demands of the board of education.
Ne believe that he has persistently re-
used to approve any and all unjust de-
hands OF which he had any knowledge.
HEALTH OFFICER AND CITY PHYSICIAN.
This Office we find conducted in an
|arnest and progressive way, worthy of
fermentation.
The attention given to the inspection
. foods is we'll placed.
Especially commendable is the in
reased interest of this officer in the