The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-09-18

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the County Clerk and that the excessive sala-
ries paid are fixed by statute.
The only remedy against extravagant ex-
penditures in the County Clerks Office we can
see lies in the adopting of the proposed new
charter by which the number of clerks and
salaries of same can be regulated by the City
ton or interest of the incumbent under the
present statute.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
To properly perform the duties of his Office
the Superintendent OF Streets should have the
technical knowledge OF civil engineer with
the determination to personally know and
ability to supervise all the important business
of his office. The present Superinten dent has
but limited knowledge of civil engineering
Further he has stated to the Grand Jury that
he does not know personally the details or in
fact the cost of the very important items OF
work Tor which he al first asked appropri
atoms for the present fiscal year. He asked
Tor the enormous sum of S1,55S, lSO-one
million five hundred and tifty-eight thousand
one hundred and eighty dollars-an increase
OF more than one million dollars over the ap-
preparation allowed in the preceding year.
Upon inquiry the Superintendent stated
that he had made estimates for the item OF
paving the accepted blocks and crossings on
Van Ness avenue that are now macadamlzed"
$3.50 10Y. and for other large items he had
no specifications as to the probable cost
The repaving of Folsom street easterly with
bituminous rock in view OF heavy teaming
over a portion OF the same can well be left
until later. The repaving OF streets now paved
with cobbles. estimated al $500, 900, can also
be left until later years. as the necessity Is not
urgent, and, in fact, the superintendent did
not expect the appropriation 10 be made.
For the purpose OF ascertaining the probable
cost of completing the waterfront portion
chargeable to the City, II competent contractor
made examination and stated his Willingness
to make all re pairs including some new work
required in piling, planklng and filling in Tor
about $16 900, instead of the $l50000 apprO-
priation asked by the Superintendent OF
Streets for the same purpose.
An inspection OF Markets street from Valencia
street to the ferries shows the pavement OF
basalt blocks to be irregular in spots in many
places. The work Of repaying is, however,
limited, and q comparatively small sum, If
iudiciously expended, would put the street in
comparatively good order. The heavy team
ing on Market street forbids the use OF btu
minous pavement, as the latter would require
continuous and excessive costly repairs. The
taxpayers of this City have had obiect-iessons
in Third street, between Market and Howard
and Golden Gate avenue, in the past OF the
grinding and destroying action of even a
limited heavy truck travel on bituminous
pavement.
The Superintendent of Streets should be a
competent civil engineer, but Board of Pub
lie Works composed OF civil engineers, as re-
quired by the proposed new charter, would be
still better for the interests of the taxpayers
of this City.
The present system of street repairs is so ex-
pensive and unsatisfactory that we recommend
future be done by contract whenever possible.
PARK COMMISSION.
The Golden Gate Park is the great pleasure
ground of the people of this City Rich and
poor alike enjoy its beauties and have Just
pride in comparing it with the parks of other
cities. The present Grand Jury shares these
feelings with other citizens, but its duty de-
mands that IL investigate the expenditures
made by the Park Commissioners and ascer-
tain whether the large sums furnished have
been expended judiciously and with regard to
economy that Is used in private business.
In the appropriations asked for the past
fiscal year was an item for park lodge build
ing, to cost $40, 000 This building has been
completed at cost of over So, 600 The su-
perintendents salary is $3.50 per month, or
$4,000 per annum, and the portion of the lodge
for his residence gwen free is FULLY equal 10
$500 per annum more, q total OF $4,000 per
year.
The Grand Jury feels that the taxpayers
have not been fairly dealt with in the in
creased expenditure on the lodge building
$32 600 above the amount asked for the said
purpose; that the salary OF the superintendent
is excessive-the original act provided for a
superintendent al q salary not exceeding 5000
per month, ana mat the cost OF retaining
land for lawn purposes, 1851 40 per acre. is far
in excess OF what II should be.
The Park Comm ission is one of the anomalies
in the State found in our City and County
government alone, its members being ep-
pointed by the Governor of the State; its ex-
penditures not subject as in other de apartments
TO approval of the Auditor, and no advertising
tor supplies to De furnished on contracts by
the lowest bidder.
All the interest the commission has in the
C1ty ana IndG the supervisors snail
make appropriations as demanded, the Com
missoners making their annual report not to
the City, but addressed TO the Governor direct.
An instance of the missioners' method
of doing business was shown in the con-
struction of the wire bridge some years since
at cost OF about $4,000. There ad-
vertising for the construction of the bridge,
and in fact there was no knowledge of the in
tention of the Commissioners by the California
Wire Works, the largest wire-bridge builders
in the State, until the press announced the
had awarded n N
Eastern company.
The Park Commissioners have asked the
Board OF Supervisors for an appropriation of
1866, 000-$1000 per day-for the coming fiscal
year. The Grand Jury believes the,same to be
grossly excessive and not warranted in pro-
vtding for the maintenance and improvement
of Golden Gate Park, and n place recommend
that an appropriation OF only $500, 900 be
made. This would not only be ample for the
maintenance, but would admit of the compile
ton of such improvement s as have been COM
menced.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
The duties of the Health Department are ex-
ercised by Board of Health, all the members
of which, except the Mayor, who is ex-officio
chairman, are appointed by the Governor of
the State. In this particular San Francisco is
the exception, as all the other counties and
cities are empowered by law to appoint their
own Boards of Health and regulate the num-
Der and salaries of the employees connected
Herewith.
The result is that the Boards of Health of
this City and County, as rule, "have shown
q fine scorn OF economies" in the discharge of
their duties, and demand with the arrogance
of responsibility that their orders or requi-
sitions shall be obeyed. 1t is true that the
City government nominally controls appro-
priations, but under the decisions of court it is
a question, if the issue was made whether this
position could be maintained.
The Board of Health employs a large staff
of officials and is demanding larger appropri-
atoms for the present fiscal year 10 in
crease the number of employees. While it is
possible that employment for these ditionaI
officials can be found, the Grand Jury can see
no imperative necessity for them at the time
while low tax rate is demanded in the in
terest OF the taxpayers On the contrary, 1t
would seem that the present officials could
and should to a larger extent perform the
duties stated for which the additional force of
employees is asked.
Among the items of appropriations asked is
that of q quarantine service which includes
the expense OF a quarantine officer, the use OF
a quarantine steamer, attaches and fuel The
establishment of quarantine service by the
Health Department at first was imperatively
demanded to prevent the Introduction OF con-
tagious disease from foreign places, via the sea.
Within the past year, however, the National
Government has established a quarantine
boarding service in connection with the quar-
antine grounds and buildings on Angel Island.
The Grand Jury does not see the utility of
continuing City quarantine service in addi-
ton to that performed by the United States
The aggregate monthly charges for salaries is