The San Francisco call., 1895-12-15


Fire Commissioners s......... $50 90
p. II. Fleming, clerk Corporation Yard. 125 90
William II. Ayers. carpenter. 100 90
Robert Harris, draylnan n................. 90 90
Henri Rice, hydrantman. ................. 80 90
Philip Brady, bydlantman. ................ 80 90
Charles Noel, watchman. .................. rs 90
c. G. Black and c. A. Watson, messen
gers .................. ................... rs 90
Total So, 1885 90
Twenty seven engine companies each
drew $3.50 month, and two engine COM
panies draw $3.50 each, amounting in the
aggregate to SIS, $50.
Seven hook and ladder companies drew
each $3.50 month-$4350.
Hose company l and hose company 4
each received $3.50 for July-$S60 No July
demands for hose company and engine
company % were reported, but the engine
company's allowance is included in the
figures.
Seven chemical engine companies re-
ceived $685. each, or $2695. Water tower l
drew S305.
The Grand Jury has received informa-
ton that the July expenses of the depart
ment for salaries amounted to $39,171 rs,
and the October expenses $42, $50 81. This
tallies with THE CALLS figures, and in
ciCdes outside expenses OF S97S4 pertaining
to the department. Tne Grand Jury has
received information that the outside eX-
is correct, therefore, to place the expenses
OF the depart ment at $42, 900 month.
The expenses of the Fire Department
are far in excess of the amount allowed
by the consolidation act. The Legislature
has given no authority for an increase.
These facts are known to the Fire Com
missioners, tbs Supervisors and the Audi
tor, but they justify the increased expen-
ditures on the ground of public necessity.
1t is hardly questioned that necessity ex
lists for larger department than the law
of 1878 authorizes, but the Grand Jury is
inclined to the position that the law should
be changed rather than defied.
The facts concerning the Fire Depart
ment complications cannot be clearly set
forth without referring back to decision
rendered by Judge Sanderson April 5, 1892.
AT that time it was sought to compel
Auditor t. J. l.. Smiley, by writ of man.
date, to audit demand for Assistant En-
gineer John Wills.
The Auditor had determined. after ex-
amining the consolidation act, to refuse his
signature to this demand created by the
Supervisors and Fire Commissioners. The
court sustained him, holding in effect that
the Auditor had no authority Of law to
give his sanction to the payment of the
demands. Prior to the decision, however,
the Board of Supervisors had the opinion
of the District Attorney that the board was
authorized to create the liability.
The sequel is decidedly interesting to
taxpayers. A strong pressure was brought
to bear on Auditor Smiley by the fire un-
derwriters and he was finally convinced
that the increased force of engineers was
necessary for the protection of the City,
and so he approved the demands which
Judge Sanderson declared could be legally
approved. Auditor Broderick, following
the example of his predecessor, continued
10 ofrrJ1C cir 7tc nd ha
tice begun in violation of the law still con-
tinues in violation of the law.
Ex-Auditor Smiley went before the
present Grand Jury at o. +. Willey's re-
quest and practically acknowledged that
he approved the demands contrary to law
as interpreted by Judge Sanderson. He
consented to testify, but as he was sick
when wanted as a witness, Mr.. Wiley sent
a carriage to bring him to the jury-room.
1t is gossip that Mr.. Smiley expected the
friendship of the underwriters in the po-
litical campaign which followed, but they
cast their influence in favor of Mr. Brod-
erick.
Reference was recently made in THE
CALL to an important communication
touching the Fire Department which had
been placed in the hands of Oliver Ed
ridge, foreman of the Grand Jury. 1t
comes to light now. from sources indepen-
dent of the Jury, that this communication
was sent by twelve citizens of San Fran
cisco whose taxes for the year aggregated
$67 ,000 They admit that they informed
the Grand Jury of crooked work in the
Fire Department and especially directed
attention to the employment of many
more men than were required by the old
hero, Chief Scannell. They reminded the
jury that nine drivers, nine buggies and
nine horses were required to do the work
that was done under Scannell by two bug
gies and two horses. They pointed out
that engineers were appointed to represent
engine companies that existed only on
paper at the Corporation y ard, so that
they could draw pay as assistant district
engineers.
The Grand Jury was advised to learn of
one particular officer of the City govern
ment to whom political favors, they said,
had been rendered by the Fire Depart
ment.
The report of the expert, the commune
cation referred to and the testimony of ex-
Auditor Smiley surely contain matters of
such vital importance that a thorough in
vestigation should follow, but the indica-
tions are that the Grand Jury will do little
more than transmit the information TO the
next jury impaneled. The chairman of
the committee, o. f. Wiley, has been
threatened with personal assault if he per-
sists in his efforts to expose corruption
u.
These threats have not in the least i'm
peded the investigation, but little matters
brought up from the Police Department
and the police courts have taken up so
much time that the members have not
been able to settle down to the more i'm
portant work demanded of them.
Another incident has come to light con-
cerning the Langdon permit to make
alterations in a building at Stockton
street. One of the witnesses testified that
Langdon on certain day went to Liver
more. No one at first thought to ask why
Langdon went there. but subsequently
one juror did ask the question and re-
ceived the reply he went TO see Buckley.
1t is reported that Buckley refused to have
anything to do with the transaction. It
subsequently came to light that Mr.. Lii
enthal, whose place near Livermore adjoins
Buckley's, did get the permit.
The Grand Jury will tomorrow hear
what Thomas r. Ashworth, Superin-
tendent of Streets, can offer in his own
behalf.
THE POUND UNDER FIRE.