The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-15

During 1895 the expenses were ssill further
reduced Ss.sSasS. the aggregate expenses
beng SsisSsssss. which. compared Win the
expenses q lsss. Shows saving 10 the AK
payers OF over 81 asa a year.
The IRE department has brayely stood its
share q reduction u numbers and expense
until the present cost OF maintenance is as
loE as possible with a fully paid depart
ment- In lss3 the fire department cost
ssizNs-SS IN lsgf. SIS sss Is. and IN $50, s.A.-
sz9e4 Notwithstanding this reduction OF
nearly Slts0 in annual expenses the phy-
seal conc1z-0n Of ire department property
has been improved two new engine houses
Rave been built. ore OF which has been
fuzzy equipped. and the efficiency OF the de-
PaTtmsnt has n0t suffered. The force now
consists Of sixty-two men fully paid and
ren men ar Fremont, who receive $50 Per
month each for responding 70 calls The
IRE commission favors placing chemical
engine a some central point in the Ninth
ward IN lieu Of the present service. by
which only portion OF Fremont Is pro-
teete6
The new Renton engine house. which is
ready for occupancy although not entirely
completed. should be equipped and manned
al once. in order that this weil-imp-oved
residence section may have some protec-
the department 70 equip the house, and by
Judictoas transfers a company can 5e
formed without any considerable addition
70 the department pay roll.
Ralph Cook. the present chief OF the de-
partment. has shown rare executive abil-
ity in addition 10 lis other admirable quail
iications for the position. II given proper
support BY the commission he viii bring
the department 10 the highest possible
state OF efficiency
Alexander Allen. r., who was Chief
Cooks predecessor, was never given an
opportunity 70 prove his ability faction
IN the commission combining against him
and refusing 10 CONFIRM his appointment Of
suoordinates. He was removed without
cause other than his refusal 10 obey the
dictates OF individual members Of the conf
mission concerning appointments
Tie constant fight made by a certain
faction since the first days of this admin
istration 10 turn the IRE department into a
political machine by replacing true and
tried men with political workers." and a
number of men who left the department at
critical moment for the avOwed purpose
Of gripping IL. has failed, although the
constant chickering's In the fire commission
have had bad effect upon the department
The position I have taken is simply that
the iire department shall at all hazards be
be recognized by promotion. and that re-
movals SHAH be made for cause only.
The mayor treats fully Of the working OF
the health board in its dealing with conta-
eious and Infectious diseases. The re-
moyal Of garbage. which formerly cost
from $500 10 $500 a year for the crew
and towing OF the garbage scow. now costs
less than A,an year under con-
tract. The positions of ''purser"
ana captain of the garbage seow.
which were formerly rewards of
merit for political service, have been aboI-
ished, but the garbage is quite well dis
posed of as ever. A more modern system
ot disposing of the refuse of the city such
as incineraion in a crematory. should be
adopted.
1ne office Of commissioner OF labor stats
tics. is thus referred 10:
one of the last official acts of Mayor
Ronald was TO appoint Mr.. John Lamb.
who had been labor commissioner for the
state OF Minnesota. 10 this office. That I
believe Mayor Ronaid's selection was a
good one is shown by the fact that / have
recently reappointed Mr.. Lamb for a term
OF TWO years from January l. 1896. and
that the council is satisfied with the con-
duct of the office is evidenced by Mr..
Lambs unanimous combination 1t is my
opinion. however. that the department has
been looked upon as an experiment which
should be made 10 work out its own sal
walton. 1t is my belief that the office has
successfully stood the test and that the
services rendered the community by the
free employment office. has more than jus
titled and expenditure. and regret that the
financial condition of the city has made Il
appear impossible to give the commission
er the assistance necessary TO more fully
develop his work.
In a very elaborate statement as TO the
he afe1s L.
brought out that: The construction ac-
counts show, however. that the famous
torch light procession Of January and
February, 1894 required 1915 To accomplish
as much work as the quiet toilers In the
wet clay under the Denny meadow accom-
pllshed during the past few months Ter 81.
The city engineer distinctly indicates what
proportion of this reduction is due 10 lower
wages. showing that with wages exactly
the same the tlisproportion OF cost would
still he as 10 and 81. The great difference
Is due simply 10 methods of construction
and economy OF management"
The cost Of lighting has been reduced IS
per cent. The cost for 1921, under con-
tract made by the prior administration,
was so qee "A: for 1895 IL was only S94. 65Is9.
The whole system Of the department and
the measures arising under I are very fully
dealt with: the Cedar river proposido1,
street improvements under the new sys-
tern the settlement Of the ram $ horn C9f-
flculty, street names and signs coming N
for notice.
In conclusion the mayor SAYS:
'"rhe sinpllfcation Of our scheme or gov
eminent BY means Of amendments 10 the
charter. WAS work which this admins
tration was pledged 10 perform. and which
would have been accomplished by yol had
not the legislature placed this power TN
the hands OF the freehoh1ers. The result OF
the charter commissions labor is now be-
fore the people for judgment az the coming
election. No matter what The result may
be good government does not wholly depend
on the organic act or upon laws, but on
those chosen 70 administer them. for
What's best administered IS best
THAT the city Of Seattle may have A city
council which VIII as closely guard the in
terests Of the taxpayers and citizens as this
one has IS my wish -