The San Francisco call., 1895-12-30
School Directors Deny That Pub
lie Funds Have Been
Misspent.
HENDERsoN's NEW RESOLUTION
The Committee on Supplies Claim to
Have Followed Their Predecessors
in Purchasing Supplies.

In reference to the criticism OF the
Grand Jury on the Board of Education,
School Directors Hawley and Henderson,
two of the members on the Committee on
Supplies, when spoken to by CALL re-
porter on this subject, made statements
Director Charles Il. Hawley said:
read in THE CALL the report of the Grand
Jury in its criticism of the extravaganza OF the
supply Committee in npurchasing supplies Tor
schools other than by contract. This report
seems strange to me inasmuch as the Grand
Jury had never invited single Director to
appear before that august body and give an
explanation OF this supposed extravaganza
The only member of the School Board that ap-
peared before the Grand Jury that have any
knowledge Of was ex-School Director F. A.
Hyde. This gentleman is no doubt good
authority on school matters, from the fact that
he devoted considerable time to the subject
during his term of office, and consequently it
must be presumed that from such knowledge
the Grand Jury based its findings, and in doing
SO singled out the Committee on Supplies, OF
which committee | am the chairman.
The present Board OF Education simply fol-
lowed In the footsteps of its predecessors in so
lar as calling for bids for supplies for the de-
partment for the fiscal year. was concerned.
On these bids no offer was received for lumber,
paints and oils or janitor supplies. thus max
ing it compulsory for the committee to pur-
chase such articles in the open market as best
1t could.
The figures sent out by the Grand Jury look
explanation, lead the public to believe that
there was waste. But let me draw the atten-
ton of the Grand Jury to the expenditures OF
ss supply ior I the 7oa sea
the allowance given this year by the Board OF
Supervisors was only $4,000 for Supplies and
furniture. as against 5000 appropriated by
their predecessors; and out of this sum our
predecessors bought 5000 rear seats to take
the place of the old Palmer stools, which had
been in use in the schools for the past twenty
years.
These rear stools were purchased at So so
each. the whole amounting to $500, uDon
which there was no competition whatever; and
also they purchased $4,000 worth of library
books, also bought in open market without
competition.
The present Committee on Supplies has pur-
chased by contract 1000 rear stools at an aver
age price of 81 80 each, and these stools are
far superior to those bought by the old board
at their figure. We have also purchased 1000
combination desks at an average price of So go
each, as against $4 25 by our predecessors for
the same article.
There has been expended for the first six
months of the present fiscal year the sum OF
$22, ,450. OF this amount there has been $10,-
200 expended for chairs for the auditorium of
the Girls High School and for desks and seats
on contract and for fitting up the new school
at the Potrere, the Peabody, the Douglas and
the North Cosmopolitan, all OF which have
been bought as per contract
The balance after deducting this amount
leaves $12,250 out of $22 900. This is the total
actually necessary. to run the department. for
the past six months and includes coal, ianitor
supplies and labor demands.
Now so far as the Grand Jury's alarm goes,
say without fear of contradiction that the
amount expended by the Committee on Sup
pliss outside of contract does not exceed $500
q month and the articles so.purchased and the
money expended could not be fOreseen at the
time the schedule was made. up and bids in
vited therefor. 1t does seem that there are
always personsto be found in this community
ready to give the public schools a black eye at
every opportunity.
School Director H. C. Henderson, who
is also a member of the Committee on
Supplies, said:
AS regards the report of the Grand Jury there
is nothing very new in it, These errors which
are alluded to in that report have been handed
down to us by our predecessors and have been
practiced by every board as far back as l can
remember: But we are about to remedy this
evil, If evil it be.
We instructed our storekeeper a. few
weeks ago to keep an account of such articles
as are used in the department, but which are
not mbraced in the schedule when bids are
being invited for supplies, in order that at the
end of this fiscal year they shall be included
in the schedule
There is nothing bought in open market but
what is absolutely necessary and what is not
included in the bids for supplies. Hence such
articles must be purchased by the committee
as the eXigency demands.
That portion OF the Grand Jury's report re-
ferr1ng 10 the increase or expenditure applies
to the raise in teachers salaries. Thisincrease
opposed as far | could and until I found
that my opposition would avail nothing, as the
resolution would be passed no matter how l
voted. Then ana only then did yield.
AS regards the sanitary condition of the
schools, together with the needed improve
ments as recommended by the committee on
building and grounds the Board of Supervisors
was asked for Sf243, 900 and not for 1869 900,
which was absolutely necessary to put the
buildings in safe and habitable condition.
| fully agree with the Grand Jury when it
says that it would be better to pull down the
old rotten buildings and erect new ones in
their stead rather than spend money in repair
ing them. This will be seen from the esti-
mates given for the repair of the Webster and
Lincoln grammar schools at 500 900.
Regarding the nine unassigned teachers, we
had nothing to do with them. That was her
itsge left us by our predecessors, and the courts
ordered us to replace them in the places
whence they had been removed by the old
board.
AS to the matter of raising the pay of the sub
fair, as $25 month Is not sufficient money to
recompense teacher who must report every
morning at the Superintendent's Office and
then take the chances of being sent to the far
thest portion OF the city to take the place of g
regular teacher. Why, the $25 month is
gone in car fare and shoeleather, and $40
month is little enough. For this increase l
have no apology to offer to the Grand Jury or
anybody else. am in favor of good wages to
every man and woman who works either for
the city. or anybody else.
The question OF the Normal School is se-i-
Gus one just nov and think have remedy