The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-13

stead of furnishing materials at the lowest
possible market rates, the charges were all
excessive.
We believe the rental OF gas regulators is too
high.
In our investigation of school repairs we
found that majority OF repair bills were
under the 5000 limit, and also that two or
more bills were rendered for the same work,
each describing section of such work.
This we were informed was purposely done
to avoid the cost OF advertising for bids. as the
rules of the board require, but possibly the
Buildings and Grounds Committee could
better explain this method of breaking the
rules.
A very important item of cost, and one that
seems to be unfathomable, has been the coal
supply.
has been received at any particular time on
account OF its not being weighed at it's recep-
ton by either the principal or janitor, they
the weight is written. We suggest that some
one be assigned to the duty of weighing the
coal
Board of Supervisors.
We have not had much time to devote to the
Board OF Supervisors, but have carefully inves-
ugated all charges made against that body.
The same charges OF corruption and malfeas-
ance in office which have been numerous for
years were made, but we could get no definite
information, nor were we able to get corrobor-
alive witnesses. We heard through Super
visors Demond and Spreckels that transactions
having peculiar appearance had gone through
the board and also that Behrend Joost, who
was seeking franchise for an extension of the
San Francisco and San Mateo Railroad, had
been referred, through Supervisor Morgen-
stern, to his attorney, John H. Dickinson, who
was also the attorney for other members of the
board. Mr.. Joost repeated the statement to
this body.
Joost further stated that he had all of that
kind of experience he wanted and refused to
see Dickinson. supervisor Morgenstern cor
roborated Mr.. JoosPs statement, but said that
he and Joost had been friends for twenty years
and when he found him in trouble he recon-
mended him 10 go to Dickinson, as the latter
had done valuable services for him in showing
him how to file his bond and other things
which are necessary tor Supervisor to know.
He frankly told the Jury about the solid eight
6s 1t was first organized on party lines by Mr..
Spreckels and afterward for the spoils of Office,
such as patronage, by combination of Repub-
ncans and Democrats. He vehemently declared
that the solid eight, as at present constituted,
was a combination solely for the proper and
equitable disposition of the patronage con-
nected with the office OF Supervisor.
We had charges from Mayor Sutro against
the Lake MERGED property of the Spring Valley
Water Company. He charged that the water
shed leading TO the lake was in filthy condi-
ton, and that it was dangerous to life to have
the citizens drinking that water, and he asked
that the lake be condemned. majority of
this body visited the locality accompanied by
the expert OF the Mayor and Engineer Schus-
sler of the Spring Valley Water Company. We
found that the surrounding territory con-
tanned a number of ranches which drained into
the lake and polluted the water. Mr.. schussler
build a bulkhead across the natural drain
st the head of the lake, and then by means
Of a, tunnel to the ocean carry off all
the drainage of the watershed, He said
that enough water could be obtained from
springs in the lake and by artesian wells to
furnish water supply to the City for three
months in case all other supplies were shut
off. Realizing that such a body of fresh water
so close to the City was of inestimable value.
this body was loath to condemn it, and the
president of the company was summoned be-
fore the jury to make a definite statement
about the intention of the company, He
stated that no water had been pumped from
the lake since January, and agreed not to use
any until the Improvements spoken of were
made, and also TO give written guarantee
that the work would be done. The followin
guarantee was given, and we are pleased to
say that the work is at present being pushed
night and day:
At a regular meeting of the trustees of the
of the company on the 25th day of April, 1881.
on motion of Mr.. Bigelow, seconded by Mr..
Beaver, it was
ResoIued, That the plans of our engineer for
works to protect Lake MERGED from pollution.
embracing tunnel from the southeriy lake to
the ocean, and masonry conduit from Colma
company proceed at once to acquire the right
of way and build the same.
w II. Gagan Esq, foreman Of the Grand J,sry,
San Francisco, Cal = DEAR SIR: According to
in the upper lake and the lower lake in Golden
Gate Park. The result as given by Thomas Price
q son you VIII NM IN tnelf lncioSeQ report, which
1 should like to have returned to me after insnec
ton by the Grand Jury. 1t appears therefrom
that the water not absolutely bad, but as he
says, may become so. Respectfully yours,
ADoLPH SUrRo
County Clerk.
We find the number of deputies and clerks
employed in the Office of the County Clerk to
be sixty-seven, number which we believe can
and should be reduced without detriment to
the efficiency Of the Office.
The expense OF carrying on the Office of the
incumbent for the first five months of his term
has been $44 1856 IS, or an average of $s937 81