The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-12
The Board of Health Wanted to
Deal With the Mayor
Direct.
NOT ABLE TO MAKE ANALYSES
Professor Hilgard's Disappointing Reply
to a Communication From the
Health Office.

The quarrel between Mayor Sutro and
the other members of the Board of Health,
begun at the last special meeting on the
water question, is apparently ranking in
the hearts of Drs. Hart, Morse and Fitz-
gibbon, who were in attendance at that ex-
citing meeting, and it came out yesterday
when Taylor Rogers, the Mayors clerk,
made his appearance in the Health Office.
Secretary Godchaux of the Board of Health
had been instructed to call a special meet
ing as soon as reply was received from
Professor Hilgard saying whether or not
he could undertake the analysis desired by
the board, The reply arrived yesterday
and was as follows:
Edmond GOdchaur, Secretary Board OF Health
DEAR SIR: In reply to your communication OF
9th conveying the inquiry on the part OF the
Board of Health whether will make analysis
of the waters contained In the reservoirs within
the City limits" would say that it is impos-
sible for me TO do this work personally, be-
cause of too great pressure of my regular du-
ties, but can have it done under my personal
supervision so as to be enabled to vouch for
the results.
must add, however, that sanitary water
analysis, which is to serve as basis for pos
sible official teps, is too delicate and critical
a matter to be intrusted to student class, as
appears to be implied in the proceedings of the
DOdrQ as DuDllSleQ III ne morning puppets dlu
in telephone message that received from
Mayor Sutro, especially if results are wanted
within short time.
It would have to be done by an expert, and
would have to employ such one in whose
moral as well as professional qualifications
could place implicit confidence even while
exercising personal supervision. Not knowing
how many water samples may be implied in
the work contemplated l am unable to say
what the cost would be likely to be.
l have in the la boratory several students who
would undertake to make comparative
analyses of such water, and by duplicating
their work would doubtless reach correct re-
suits in time.
But if, as | understand, these results are
desired at once, their work cannot be made
available. 1t happens unfortunately, too, that
/ have to be absent from next Saturday the
greater part of next.week on lecture tour in
the south. So unless a sample were in my
hands early tomorrow ii would not be feasible
to complete an analysis before my departure
so thatI could certify to it. Very respectfully
yours, +. w. HILGARD.
The Mayor was at once communicated
with, but after hearing the contents of
Professor Hilgard's letter over the tele-
phone stated that he was too i'll to attend
the meeting. He said, however, that if
the matter was postponed until to-day he
would be on hand.
Mr.. Rogers, however, called to get a
copy of the letter and met a reception
that was decidedly torrid. Not being able
to get the copy he asked to be permitted
to read the letter to the Mayor himself
"We don't want to do business tLat
way" declared DR.. Morse. 1--WE want him
here. You can't read it over the wire to
him."
Don't say that, sir, for cam" retorted
Rogers.
''Well, we don't propose to give it to
him in that way"
"Then base your refusal on that ground.
If you want to take the bull by the horns,
60 ahead"
"We can transact our business without
the interference of outsiders" declared
DIR. Fitzgibbon. "I'd like to know by
what right you dictate to US what we shall
or shall not do"
"I'm not trying to dictate to YOU"
'But you are.
81 tell you, sir, am not. 1 came here to
represent the Mayor"
You're not member of the Board of
Health"
II am aware of that, sir, but came here
at The Mayors request"
II don't know whether you did or not. ="
"Well, tell you l did"
Mr. Rogers finally withdrew and the
meeting was postponed until this morning
at IL o'clock.