The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-21
AFTER THE SOLID EIGHT,
Supervisor Dimond Thinks
Their Actions Have Been
Checked.
ENCOURAGEMENT BY CoNLAN
Committee, Which Is
Leverage.

The "solid eight of the Board of Super
visors are not going to have everything
their own way. The ''solid FOUR oseph
I. Dimond, Charles L. Taylor, Adolph B.
Spreckels and John K. G. Hobbs-are
against them and propose to check every
move of the greater body which would be
likely to be detrimental to the city's inter
est if allowed to pass unchallenged.
The stand of Judge Conlan in refusing to
recognize the action of the board in the
removal of Watson and the appointment
of Morgenstern as clerk of his court has
given the minority of the board courage.
The Judges action has been discussed by
the legal advisers of the individual Super
visors comprising the solid four, and with
out exception has been upheld as being
based upon good law. In addition to the
support of Judge Conlan in this particular
case, the four hold winning card which
they propose to play at the proper time.
The solid eight control all of the COM
mittees excepting those on water, judiciary
and finance. All salaries for Police Court
clerks come under the supervision of the
Police Committee, which draws the war
rants. Before the order can be paid, how
ever, it has to go to the Finance Commit
tee, and this is what Supervisor Dimond
says about that:
"We have the Finance Committee and
propose to check the payment of any war
rant which may be drawn for Morgenstern.
l am certain the Police Committee will
pass Morgenstern' warrant, but we will
check it.
"On Monday we intend-when 1 say we
l mean what has been termed the solid
four-to bring up the veto measure and
Il ~ III.
matter in its proper light. We propose to
stand by Mayor Sutro if he does what is
right. l think he will, for he has promised
to thoroughly sift anything we call to his
attention. You may be certain there will
be nothing slip through if we can possibly
help it.
Gust what the plans of the solid eight
are l do not know. 1 have heard rumors,
but they are of such vague nature that l
place no dependence on them.
81 have heard they intend to remove
some sixty of the city employees. That
came indirectly from King. He is the only
man who talks. He is mum enough until
he gets few drinks in him, then he is
likely to say things the others do not want
known. 1t has even been said that big
money was being paid the Street Commit
ee, but of course you can't prove 1T.
"a few days ago certain party went to
one of the eight and said, For heaven s
sake keep that man King out OF your eau
cuses or put muzzle on him. He is the
only one anything ever comes from, for the
rest are mum.
'Now as to this matter of the Church
street franchise am certain it was drawn
up at Fourth and Townsend streets.
have had legal advice on it, and feel GER
tain that it is illegal. There are two flaws
in it, but the eight propose to let them
stand, on the ground that it is legal fran
chise. We think not, and that it will
require the signature of the Mayor. If this
is so and Sutro refuses to sign it we will
see that it is never passed over his veto.
1.-The Church-street Club has been ad-
vised to ask for writ OF mandate, and
will take that step if the matter goes too
far.
I'VE have another advantage over the
eight. We have the Water Committee.
This is a lever which we propose to apply
and bring to light their actions on this SUBJ
ject. In the committee we prepare our re-
port. That is presented to the board. We
can draw our report so strong that it will
make uphill work for the eight to make
any changes, and, by so doing, show their
intentions.
GAS far as patronage is concerned, have
not even had as much as a janitor. The
solid eight control everything, or at least
think they do. Judge Conlan's action has
put temporary check on their changes,
but just what effect it will have do not
know, but l am inclined to think it will do
some good.
''They are not showing their hand in the
matter, so it is all guesswork as far as we
are concerned, but it makes no difference
what move they make L will oppose it on
the ground that it is not conducive to good
government.
''Now if Mayor Sutro will do the square
thing | am positive nothing can pass over
his veto which will be detrimental to the
city. The bitumen-rock question is one
of the important points under this head
There have been many rumors that Colonel
Taylor of the Eighth Ward would go over
to the solid eight on this question, but
know that is false. He is with us and pro-
poses to stay. 1 would as soon suspect
myself as to think he would break away
now. Without another man they can do
nothing.
mayor Sutro and myself are friendly,
but not as intimate as some of the other
members of the board. The Mayor has
promised Mr.. Hobbs to stand with US, and
/ believe he will do so.'
ONT ON nprrTrv