The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
LOTTERY SWINOL|NG GAMBLERS
i BLASTED BY THE GRAND JURY
Police Courts So Lenient That Offenders Escape Pun
ishment-The Law Should Make the
IT, Offense Felony.

submit this, our final, report and ask to be
discharged from further duty. 1000
We were impaneled on October 2: 1896, the
panel consisting of: Frederick HooDs' n pr
Durbrow, Edward B. Gutter, G. Z. Burr,
George Jones. H. S. Hagan. William L, ASne'
William F. Mau, Robert Haight, David b. FAX
tor, August E. DTueker; J. Ross p paG Eayn
worth. Frederick W. Zehfuss. NJ Splro' Wal
liam H. Pratt snd Harry W. Goodan.
We have held twenty-five meetings, ana
twenty-one indictments were found, as lol-
lows: Eleven for libel, six for perjury, Two LOT
burglary, one for grand larceny ana one ior
violation OF election laws. Nineteen pteeeAta-
IiouS have been ignored.
We have made an examination as far as our
limited time would allow of all the various
public departments of this municipality, anu
want of time has prevented US from making
more thorough examination OF many OF the
departments.
Assessor, Auditor and Treasurer.
We have examined into the workings and
methods of each OF said departments, ana ma
that the Assessors office is wen ant aply CON
Quoted; that the WORK OF this department. is
very thoroughly done, and that the Assessor,
John d. Siebe, devotes much time ana atten-
tion TO the supervision OF all OF It's Affairs.
Auditor.
We find that the affairs of the Auditors of
fee are excellently managed ana conducted
necessarily Inconvenience by or through
this department; that William Broderick,
Auditor, personally superTises almost all the
work OF MS office.
Treasurer.
We find that the Treasurer's Office and its
affairs are ably and efficiently conducted by
A. c. Widber, Treasurer; that because OF the
importance, and We mig ht say necessity OF his
presence, the Ire asurer devotes all OF ms time
TO this department. We have also found that
the present law governing the collection or
the personal property taxes IS purdensome
and unsatisfactory, ana causes much hard-
nj md E0nn &
q so 10 tle officers en- trusted with the collee-
ton OF The tax. We further find that the pres
ent system of collecting tnis tax is ii most ex-
pensive one and viii cost the citizens ana tax
PAYERS OF this City about $50 900 more this
year than Inc method formerly employed
under the previous law, and because OF
this Inconvenience, hardship and extra cost to
our citizens a d taxpayers we recommend that
our StaIe Legislature at Its approaching ses-
sion repeal the present law-that is, so far as
the same applies TO the CITY ana county OF
San FranciscO-and In its stead enact such
law as viii do away with the hardships and
expense complained OF.
Board of Education and Public Schools.
We find the schools generally in good order,
although some OF the buildings are not IN as
good sanitary condition as they snould De.
The purchase of the lot on Eighteenth and Do
lores streets for a new high school has received
some considerable atteI lion, and the conelu-
SionS reached are that another high school at
this time is not needed. We condemn the
financial management which compelS the de-
pertinent TO deduct the amounts actually due
the teachers earned as salaries, and are OF the
opinion that the expenses in other quarters, as
the employment OF special teachers at nlgh
salaries for the benefit of few, should be
abolished rather than to deprive the great ma
jority of teachers OF salaries well earned.
Coroner.
We find the Coroner and his subordinate Of
hcers attending to their respective duties.
Public Morgue.
We find +hiS hufI,IiDp 10 he did and dilepi-
da ed, entirely uufis for its purpose, and urge
that 4 new Morgue be erected. Among the
many deficiencies we noticed the shamelul
lack of the absolute requisites for post mertem
and chemical Investigations. The surgical IN
strumenIs, so called, seem wholly inadequate.
We examined sundry bills for supplies fur
nished and found The prices charged Tor some
articles 10 be exorbitant
Public Pound.
We visited and inspected the Public Pound
and found the place clean and conducted in
humane and systematic manner.
Courts.
We recommend that Que of the Polire Courts
of the City be kept open for the transaction OF
business during the entire day, alternating
with each other for that purpose. We are In
clined to the opinion that the police courts are
not overworked, and it is questionable II one
m light not be abolished without detrIment 10
the public interest, and quite saving TO the
taxpayers be thus made. In a general way II
is noticed that the individual fines for mis-
imposed, and some cause for complaint has
been alleged to exist from this fact detrimental
TO the proper enforcement OF the laws and
nuliifying somewhat The efforts OF the police
to secure such adequate punishment after
arrest as will have tendency to deter Others
from committing similar crimes.
L having come TO our knowledge that certain
persons are endeavoring TO increase the num-
Der OF our Superior Courts, and being satisfied
that there is no necessity, at the present time,
for such increase we recommend to our repre-
son re- in he LAG Ia
the passage Of such a law.
County Clerk.
We find that to economically run the County
Clerks Office is a matter which under t. e
present laws is chiefly in the hands OF the
County Clerk and his own conscience must
decide as to whether he is doing the City JUS
tice or not The only relief offered for mod
ihcation of the present excessive salaries, as
in the framing OF new charter. We find the
work of the office well and thoroughly done.
Justices Clerk.
We find this department to be in a satisfac-
DRY condition, showing revenue which not
only pays the salaries OF the justices and
clerks but leaves surplus to the City and
County. We therefore recommend that suita-
BILE iron box flies and racks be constructed for
the preservation and safe keeping OF docu-
ments and papers OF record which at the pres
emit time. for want OF proper accommodation,
are in deplorable condition.
Water and Gas Inspector.
This Office seems to be generally regarded by
the citizens OF san Francisco, and so regarded
by this Grand Jury, as an office principally for
some favored applicant TO draw good salary
for very inadequate services. From the ex-
animation by the committee the in
cumbent seems 10 have very little practical
KNOWLEDGE of the duties he is expected 10 per-
form and from the limited amount of service
rendered we think that the Office could be
abolished without any detriment TO the inter-
ests OF the City.
District Attorney.
We have found the Office of the District At
tornev well conducted and the work expe-
dlted with all possible dispatch. The services
OF the District Attorney and his assistants
have always been promptly rendered in our
deliberations
City and County Attorney.
Mr.. Creswen has been asked to appear before
the jury on several occasions aad has cor
daily given us all the information desired.
We have especially looked into the interests OF
the City as regards its real estate and find that
the City and County Attorney is giving proper
attention to all litigation connected there
with.