The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-28
OF THREE MEMBERS.
How the Board Of Public Works
Is to Be Made Up.
CHARTER REvIseRs DECIDE IT.
No Councilmen TO Be In It-A Single
House of Council Proposed
Passes on Car Lines.


yesterday only Andrews and Stein being
opposed. The discussion was warm and
prolonged. Street Superintendent G. y.
Alexander and Comptroller Parry being
called In to explain the workings OF the
present board.
Middleton opened the discussion by stat
ing that he was in favor OF the retention
OF the present board, the chairman of
which should attend the meetings of the
city council in order TO bring The two
bodies in touch with each other. He was
supported in this view by Allen and Trem-
per. The latter described the workings OF
the present board, and could see no posi-
b.Aty Of abuse on it's part in letting the
contracts. since no expenditures could be
made without an ordinance passed by the
city council and all contracts are limited
by the charter. He called attention TO the
recent contract made by the city council
for the citys lighting 10 show the utter
.ncompsfency OF large body to maze
contracts. He said the TWO months delay
caused by each members desire 10 please
his political supporters BY having lights on
certain corners cost the city $3.50, since
the new contract reduced the expense Of
lighting 90 per cent Il do not think We
should tear down any portion Of this
charter unless We have a better plan 10
propose" In referring to the b!n making
the chairman Of the finance committee and
the comptroller members OF the board, he
said It was absurd to think of a man au-
diting his own accounts.
Though some change IN the present
board would possibly be beneficial he
said in concluding, Il would rather see il
stand where it Is today than go into the
realm OF speculation"
Present Boar Too Powerful.
Andrews said he was unable 10 under
stand the sentiment expressed by those IN
e 81
What can be said in its favor?" he
asked. From the beginning there has
been q scramble for position on that
board" He read the article defining the
powers OF the board, saying, Their power
is greater than that enjoyed by the mayor
himself He repeated Winsors express
sion OF Thursday, you tickle me and I'll
tickle you when referring 10 the oppor-
tunities for collision between the heads Of
the three departments of the board. lie
fired telling shot at the efficiency OF the
present board, when ne spoke of the bars
live wires that were in front OF his office
window, and brought to mind the city or
dinance providing that all wires shall be
protected by insulation.
on a motion by Tremper, G.. n. Aexan-
der was invited in, and explained how con-
tracts were let, supplies bought and EN-
ployment of labor managed. He was In
favor of the appolntment'of a sole head. 10
have control and be responsible for the
doings of the board Of public works, and
mentioned the success Of that system in
Chicago and Philadelphia. With reference
to parks he recommended the appointment
of an unpaid commission TO look after
their extension and gardening.
Don't Mix the Offices.
Comptroller Parry was next Intercepted
and strongly opposed making the cornptrol-
ler's Office part Of the board of public
works, for the reason that II is an indie
pendent check on all the departments. He
thought the purchasing and auditing de-
partments should be kept separate as much
as possible, as is the system with all rail-
road companies. He also opposed the plan
on the ground that members OF the board
should be technical and not clerical men.
In response to questions by members OF
the commission. he described the way esti-
mates are made and supplies bought. He
was opposed to the appointment OF single
commissioner. and believed three practical
men would be much more efficient
Corporation Counsel Scott also addressed
the commissioners in opposition 10 having
any member OF the city council on the board
Of public works.
Middleton then moved A substitute for
the original report OF the committeeman.
that the city engineer should perform the
duties OF building Inspector, and, second.
that the board of public works be COM
posed of the city engineer. the superintend-
ent OF light and water and the superintend-
ent of streets. sewers and parks. This was
carried all voting in the Affirmative but
Andrews and Stein.
A new bill providing for the appointment
Of boiler inspector was introduced by
Middleton and referred 10 the committee
on public works.
The committee appointed 70 prepare ar
t4cles on the board of health reported that
I'D erzd inc urtf "a
FOR this morning. n has been found that,
owing 70 a state law providing for the ex-
istence OF board Of health in all first
class cities. the commission is pOwerless TO
abolish it.
\ single House of Council.
The two articles reported by the legis-
lative committee as substitutes for article
" Of the present charter, which provide
for the yesting Of legislative power in the
mayor and city council. were made a spe-
cial order for Monday. on a motion by JOS
lin. The FIRST article reported as 4 suhstl-
tute provides for a single house consisting
OF two members from each ward. 20 be
elected every two years. an entirely new
city council to be elected each time. The
second is that the city council have one
house Of thirteen members. one from each
ward and four az large. two Of the latter
having the highest vote 70 serve for four
years and the Others two years.
PASSES on the Car Lines.
Considerable discussion followed the
reading Of the report on the issuance Of
street car and railroad passes 10 municipal
officers Two hills were reported back ard
they provided that It shall De considered a
misconduct for the mayor or any city Of
acer TO accept any such passes. the former
being subject TO I'm parchment ana the latter
- dismissal and loss Of salaries. They also
provide that no municipal officer can al the
same time hold any Federal or other office.
except in the National Guard.
Joslin opposed the reports and was IN
favor % making the companies which IS
sued the passes pay the penalties He
thought IL could Dc made a provision ~
any new franchises granted 10 railroads
or street car companies that they should
give free passes 70 city officers In that
case. since IL was compulsory. Il could not
De- regarded as A hribe. and city officers
would not feel obligated BY their accept
snce. he made 4 motion % that effect,
which was unanimously carried
he Wolfe moved that the question he in
definitely postponed and was supported by
Joslin and winsor. The latter said there
was a provision IN the state constitution
covering the matter. and he d1 not believe
IN cuneertng the new charter with IL
Andrews an6 Joslir were unable 10 agree
as u whether The city had right 70 con-
strain railroad companies, TIE former hold
Ing that 20 VAS cat OF It's Jurisdiction alto
g@ther 20 couipsl the companies TO give
"a ssss % any one. TIE motion % De Wolfe
Vas lost. and TIRE bill. together with an
alton counsel should collect the penalties
ard rsv them into the city's salary fuRa,
went over untl tie next meeting
TIE commission adjourned urtl Monday