The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-23
CHAIRMAN KING
is HARD TO FIND.
Steward Robinson Vainly
Sought Him at the
City Hall
AND THEN AT HIS HOTEL
Nearly Always Ran Across Him
at the Bar of the New
Western.
COUNTY HOSPITAL SUPPLIES.
Fish That Were Sometimes Past
and Meat That Came at Fancy
Figures.
COUNTY HOSPITAL SUPPLIES.

The Board of Health continued its in
vestigation of the County Hospital last
evening at the Office of DR.. Hart, ia Pow
ell street. Two witnesses were examined
George Robinson, the steward, anG his
son, George F. Robinson, who was acting
steward for two months during his father s
illness.
The elder Robinson testified that his du-
ties included general supervision of the
commissary department and of the build
ings. Every week he makes a requisition
of supplies needed for the institution and
submits it to the Superintendent for ap-
prevail. He then has TO take the requisi-
ton to the Chairman of the Hospital Com
mittee of the Board of Supervisors, Joseph
King. According to Robinson he seeks
King at the City Hall during his supposed
office hours, but rarely finds him there.
Generally he has to hunt for King at the
latter's hotel, and more particularly in the
barroom of the hotel.
On certain occasions when it was impos-
sble to find the Supervisor of the First
W ard even in the seclusion of his own bar
room the steward was compelled TO ask
dealers to furnish supplies without re-
QUESTION and to get the requisition signed
later on.
NODlnSOH, dS IuIey cues WIFI d lulSl-
ton to the chairman OF the Hospital Com
mittee about four times a week, but often
he has TO go several times day 10 find
King. The steward admitted that he
often lost a great deal of time chasing
back and forth between the City Hall and
Kings hotel.
Robinson said he had very little trouble
about the shortage IN weight or measure
OF the supplies furnished the hospital.
The trouble was with the quality.
The fish furnished the institution was
often poor-not rotten, but what the stew
ard euphoniously termed past" He had
also received hay and potatoes that were
unfit for use. On such occasions the goods
were always sent back and the dealers sent
good supplies. The carriage of these sup
pies back and FORTH of course, made an
additional expense for the hospital.
The quality of beef furnished to the
hospital was very good, according to the
steward.
The contract price however, at which it
was furnished to the hospital was much
higher than the regular market price.
Robinson was sure he could have bought
the same quality of meat which was being
furnished at 81 cents pound for AZ
cents. He was positive he could have
saved the City from $500 to $1,000 during
the past fiscal year on meat alone, if he
had had the buying of it. However, even
if he had wished to do so. he had not the
power.
In buying goods not contracted for he
had to 60 TO certain dealers recommended
by the Hospital Committee. If the Board
OF Health should order him TO go to an
other firm who would furnish goods
cheaper he would probably be unable to
get the goods, as the chairman of the hos
pital committee would refuse TO sign the
requisitiOn and the dealer would not get
his pay.
Then you mean to say" asked DR..
Hart, that although an appointee of the
Board of Health you are under the power
of the committee of the Supervisors, and
that the Board of Health has nothing to
do with the matter?'
1T seems to be that way" answered
Robinson.
Young Robinson was asked the same
questions as his father and corroborated
his statements. He recounted visit he
made 10 Chairman King with requisi-
ton. when the Supervisor delighted the
politicians in his barroom by declaring he
would not allow certain supplies to the
hospital. Robinson denied that he had
patted King on the back on this occasion
and said: Good boy, Joe"
at the conclusion of young Robinson S
testimony the board adjourned to meet
again next week, when more of the hos
pital employees will be examined.