The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-25
TO INVESTIGATE.
Veterans Home Bills for
Extra Work.
A Committee to Sift Wards Plumb
ing Charges and the Purchase
of Hose Reels.

A special meeting OF the board of direc-
tors of the Veterans Home Association
was held last night to hear the report of
the executive committee to which was re-
ferred the matter of bills for extra work in
connection with the new buildings at
Yountville.
Secretary Scovile read the minutes of
the executive committee held on Saturday
night of last week. a full report of which ap-
peared exclusively In the MORNING CALL.
Director Hyde thought the report was not
sufficiently explicit, the executive COM
mittee having failed to report upon the
Ward plumbing bill. After Hyde's mo-
ton had been seconded by Stevens, it was
withdrawn. The secretary proceeded to
read Wards bill, when Hyde suggested
that it be referred to special committee of
three. who should have power to employ
an expert, to be paid by the association
to assist them in their investigations.
President Burnett said he was opposed
to appointment of an expert. deeming
it a matter OF useless expense, and thought
that Chairman Herrick and Architect
Wharf should he able to agree upon the
proposition involved.
Directors Arbuckle, Fuller and Ryde
were appointed as the committee to inves-
tigate the bill, with instructions TO report
Director CurTier brought up the question
of hose reels, recently purchased BY the
buildings and grounds committee, aud
asked that the committee in plumbing in
vestigation be instructed to also examine
into the adaptability of the reels.
Stevens and Ilerrick objected to any in
vestigation. These directors were men,
bers of the committee that purchased the
reels, and each one explained what he
claims was the motive that actuated him
in the purchase. Both appeared not to
desire the investigation, but the other
members of the board seemed to think it
would be good idea to find out why S97
more should have been paid for hose and
fire reels than they can now be purchased
for
DR.. p. Z. Aitkens, the medical director
at the home, rendered his resignation to
take effect from March 10. The doctor
stated in a letter accompanying the resig-
nation that he had accepted more lucra-
tive position. . The resignation was placed
on file.
The old fight between Architect Wharf
and the building committee broke out
afresh, kindled by an inquiry from Dr.
rector Arbuckle regarding certain steam
connections. 1t appears that under his
contract Plumber Ward is compelled to
make all such connections. A party
named Leprohon has a contract for fur
nishng the steam heating apparatus, and
tends that the latter should make the
connections. Owing to the many changes
made IN the plans and specifications by
reason of the increase of the size of the
kitchen and dining-roOm building it
seemed impossible to decide who had to
! do the work.
Architect Wharf was called upon to ex-
plain, when Director Stevens Jumped up
eXcitedly and said he wanted to know by
what right the architect inierfered with
! the buildings anu GROUNDS committee, or
attempted to override the action of the
directors. He only wants to get his per
cent commission, and I'll be condemned if
be gets it in any work if | can help it,"
1 said Stevens in conclusion.
Director Hyde, in view of the differences
! between the board and the architect,
moved that his services be dispensed with
| from this date. but his motion did not meet
! with any consideration, President Burnett
| ruling il out of order.
| A relic of the Merriman regime cropped
up in the claim of former inmate named
r. Crswell for SGT 70 for labor performed
on the ranch at Yountvile. The board
ordered the amount paid. and sent a check
to Merriman, who was com mandant at the
time, but Criswell never received it or the
money. The matter was considered in ex.
ecutive session, but no action was taken
1t will come up again at future meeting.