The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-11

Jackson to Also this street is very IN
even and sunken badly in places. This
ia mostly caused by poor foundation,
and some by wear on the surface of the
poor and second-claas brick. From
Dueommun to Also street the brick
looked the best we found, and we es-
innate the poor brick at 10 per cent"
The inspection of brick pavements is
considered the most difficult Of all pave
ments to be sure of firstclRss material,
as 1t iH necessary to see each brick, and
net judge load by few single ones.
LOS Angeles street from Seventh to
Twenty-third street.-Crown IL inches
low. Some large bculders in gravel.
Curb face averages 3 inches. Cement
curb at southwest corner Of Tenth street,
712 inches low; opposite Tenth street,
re inches low; northwest corner OF
Tenth street, 6 inches low; opposite, 6
inches low.
First street, Quebec street to city
lImits.-From nasty examination as to
the quantity OF gravel on this street,
from Bonnie B-ae street to city limits,
we excavated at 81 different points Tin
total distance OF $500 feet) and find that
there is from 0 to inches of gravel in
stead OF 8 inches as called for, and the
average shortage in street is over 56 per
cent, amounting to 4457 cubic yards !;
and the small amount of gravel there on
the street ia OF very poor quality and
should not have been used. Many places
we could detect no trace OF there ever
having been any gravel used. In the
sidewalk we only made a few excava-
tions, but in no place do we find over
inches, and many not inch in depth.
We therefore estimate it at 80 per cent
short, amounting to 537 cubic yards.
I'm several of the cuts we found side
walk 10 to IL fest wide instead of IL
feet, and the fills only 7 to feet in
width; but the fills may have sunk
since grading.
From our estimate the street 10 4457
cubic yards short, and the sidewalk ia
537 cubic yards shorS, making a total OF
1894 cubic yards which, at go cents,
would equal $2,996 40.
"We consider this the worst street we
have examined, and are unable to un.
deretand how it could have been accept
ed under the specifications.
1--WE find instances whore street assess
ments have been compromised with pro-
testing property holders. In one Gaze
an assessment for $500 was compro-
missed for 500. This gives strong pre-.
sumption that the work was dishonesty
dene.
1T appears from the testimony oil
different councilmen, and others compe-
tent to judge. that very little, if any, OF
the street work ever done in this city
has been completed according to con-
tract and specifications"
Many OF the inspectors OF streets and
street work appear to be persons OF
small responsibility and have no special
qualifications for the exacting work.
While the property owners have to pay
for their services, these officers reccive
their wages directly from the hands oil
the contractors, like any of their regu-
lar employees. This practice ia an in
vitAtionbto crime.
The same irregularities which ruled
during Hutchinson's term contin ue
under Watson. 1t lie evident that many
of the employees of this department are
there by ths influence OF politicians to
whom the superintendent is under obli-
cations for his election, and he as CON
sequence has but little If any control
over them.
The embezzlement OF public funds
from Watsen's Office by Deputy Stewart
caused the keeping of a proper cash
book, but there is scarcely any record of
other business done. No accounts are
kept of the repair and construction
work of this department, which en-
ploys so large q number of men and
teams. The time book does not show
where or when the men were at work
nor upon what kind of work they were
employed; the days being left blank
and the total time per week only being
entered.
Though large amounts of lum Der and
other material are purchased by the
city and used by this depaI tment, there
is nothing to show what disposal was
made OF them nor when they were used.
In fact there is still no system of books
in this Office, although the charter clear
lv provides that such shall be kept, I'M
der the supervision of the auditor.
We consider that Mr.. Watson has
office force enough and to spare, to keep
all the books necessary for this depart
ment.
Under Watson we find that at least
one lsborer with team paid 80 cents a
day for a six month"; position, amount.
ing in all to SIS. Deputy Townsend of
the Changing was one who did this
assessing. He also collected the same
amount from each of two other laborers,
ostensibly to pay to Watson to assist
him in making up the Stewart defalca-
ton. Watson testifies that he never
received this money, but that he did
borrow 800 from Townsend and gave
him his note. Chief Deputy Riggs is
implicated in this practice. Townsend,
when called before US, refused to testify
on the ground of discriminating him
self. Watson testified that he had
known for some time of this outrageous
proceeding, but he still retains the
guilty deputies.
The testimony showed that one re-
suit Of this practice ia that there is
great laxity in enforcing the hours of
labor, a full days work often bsing
credited when not performed.
No money should be handled in this
Office. The city has responsible officers
charged with the duty of caring for its
money, and it is to these that this whole
business should be entrusted. The
council should take immediate steps to
make this necessary change.
We recommend in the formation OF
the very necessary new charter that the
street superintendsnt's Office be made q
division of the city engineers depart
ment.
DAyyNn NnVTDT GASES