The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-29
CIVIC FEDERATION
TO AID THE MAYOR
Sutro Says That Help Will
Be Needed at the
Elections.
rs ONLY A FIGURE HEAD.
An Investigation Regarding the
Attorney of the Board
of Health.
MORTON STREET UNDER FIRE.
A Strong Protest Filed Against the
Licensing of the Pool.Selling
DenS.
MORTON STREET UNDER FIRE.

The Civic Federation discussed many
important matters at its meeting last even
ing, chief among them being the following
letter. from Mayor Sutro, who says that
under present conditions he is but figure
head without powers except of protest:
Ciuic Federation Mills B,ti[din0 Cyt,t-GENTLE-
MEN: You are aware that the Supreme Court,
by declaring the law unconstitutional, has
nullified the appointment OF Messrs. Denman,
Foster, Wellin and Castle as Election Commits
sioners and thereby destroyed the non-partisan
management of our elections and turned them
back to the old methods.
The former law, now revived, imposes upon
the Mayor, Auditor, City and County Attorney,
Tax Collector and Surveyor the duty of con-
Quoting an election in this City.
So far as personally concerned, all my spare
time will be given to the Election Commission.
But IL is apparent that it will be impossible for
me to donate enough time to fully protect the
interests OF our good people in the important
election now coming.
Therefore, permit me to suggest to your body,
distinguished for its good citizenship liberalitv
and strength In numbers, to appoint a com
mittee charging 1t with the special duty of aid
ing the commission in the performance of its
duties, and seeing that our coming elections
shall be honestly conducted, and, therefore, a
true record of the feelings OF the voters.
In my own opinion your body can perform
no better service in the cause of good govern
ment than this That we have reached crisis
in our City administration is clearly manifest.
Under present conditions the Mayor is merely
a figurehesd without power, except OF pro-
test. Either one of two things should be done.
Either good, honest, fearless officials should
be elected to execute our present contradict
DRY and very imperfect laws or we should
have code of new laws under which the
Mayor would have the power to remedy
that am most anxious to cooperate with your
organization toward better government, and
Will greatly appreciate any and all efforts that
you may make to assist me in my duties.
ADOLPH SUTRO.
The suggestion struck the meeting ia
vorably, and a committee consisting OF
Stewart MenZies, Richard Lambert and
Thomas Magee was appointed to draft a
resolution on the subject, confer with the
Mayor and report at the next meeting.
The committee discussed the ordinance
recently offered In the Board of Super-
yisors licensing pool-selling, and passed
the following resolution against the meas
ure:
ResoEUed, That the Civic Federation protests
against the ordinance TO license pool-selling in
the City and County of San Francisco; tina,
we call on all good citzers to utter their pro-
test against this proposed infamy and spe-
cially we request the religious organizations Of
the City to speak publicly against it,
A resolution was also passed commend
ing the Police Department for its efforts in
attempting to close the Morton-street
dens.
The committee on legal action was in
structed to inquire whether it is true, as
has been intimated by the Attorney
| General, that there is no such office as
attorney for the Board of Health, and il
said opinion be correct to commence quo
warranto proceedings in the name of the
president of the association to discontinue
the salary now paid the Office.
The committee was also instructed to ex-
anime minutely into the assessment o1
property to determine automatically to
what extent favoritism or partiality is
shown.
Stewart Menzies suggested that it would
be we'll for tho Civic Federation to act in
concert with the non-partisan party
during the coming election and as a mem
Der of that party asked the meeting to
indorse his suggestion.
He also suggested that the Good Govern
ment Club and other reform organizations
should be asked to aid the nom partisan
| movement. This matter will be further
discussed at the next meeting.
The following letter from the National
Municipal League was received and placed
on file:
Dear Sir: Permit me to request your society
or its governing body, to consider the adyisa-
bility of utilization with the National Municipal
League. This measure would give us the bene-
fl of your counsel in our work and the recon-.
mendation to public confidence implied in
your Endorsement of our aims and methods; il
would not involve any pecuniary responsible
ity on your part or in any wise control or ham.
per you in the advancement of the ends OF
your organization, according to whatever
policy you deem best suited to attain them.
inclose copy of the constitution and by
laws of the league and q paper briefly setting
forth the reasons for its formation; and, in the
hope OF being favored with as prompt reply
as circumstances and your convenience may
permit remain, yours very respectfully and
truly, CLINTON ROGERS WOODRUFF,
Secretary National Municipal League.