The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-13

worker, who has saved enough by con-
slant toll and sacrifice of personal COM
fort to get little lot OF land and house
for his family.
At the session of the Grand Jury yester-
day, at which Theodore f. Payne was act
ing foreman in the absence of Frank Mas
key, the proposed increase of the tax rate
was vigorously discussed. A volume of
correspondence touching the question was
read. For long time the jury has been
acquiring information on the subject in
order to make an intelligent presentation
of the facts at the proper time.
Generally speaking, the heads of depart
ments of the municipal government re-
sent the idea of Grand Jury or newspaper
interference in the management of their
offices. When q man has been in public
office for year or two he is apt to fancy
himself little car. Endowed with the
authority to order the Board of Super
visors to provide him with all the money
he desires he concerns himself chiefly
about the clerks, who are so numerous
around the hall that they are stumbling
over each other every day.
The Grand Jury has concluded to take
up the subject, whether heads of depart
ments like it or not. The facts as they
appear to the jurors lead to the conviction
that twice as many clerical positions exist
as are needed and that q reduction of
81, 100000 year could be made without
detriment 10 the public service. Still,
while contemplating a reduction and a
smaller tax levy the demand comes from
the spoilsmen to increase municipal ex-
penses 81 800, 600 year and tax the people
out of their homes to meet the increased
burdens.
Robbery in the guise of taxation is not
felony under the statute, so it may not be
deemed best to indict any one for plumber
ing the community, but other steps may
be taken to bring public servants to sense
OF public responsibility.
Merchants and professional men, own
ers of homes and dealers in real estate
have importuned the Grand Jury to do
something toward arresting the extrava-
gance in the conduct of City affairs, and
so at the meeting next Monday evening
some plan of action will be formed. As a
last resort resistance to the levy in court
may be made, but it is desired that the
Supervisors having authority and control
of expenditures should take hold and cut
down the estimates to reasonable basis.
At the sessions yesterday some commu-
nlcatlous handed down from the Eidridge
Grand Jury and touching the manage.
ment of the Public Pound were consid.
cred. The charges were brought by Flem-
ing, and for many months he sought to
have the Pound institution ventilated.
One witness lJohn Partrldge) was heard
by the jury yesterday. At one time he
was an officer of the Society for the Pre-
vention OF Cruelty TO Animals, and was
supposed to know something of the Pub
lie Pound affairs. 1t was Fleming's idea
that money collected at the Pound had
been misapproprlated, but Mr.. Partridge
could not give the Grand Jury much light
on this point.
Last week Alfred Isson presented case
for the consideration of the Grand jury.
but the communication was Yesterday
handed over to the District Attorney for
examination. The Isson case involves the
retention of certain letters now in the
possession of an attorneys clerk. Judge
Sanderson is held by Isson to be response
BILE for withholding the documents. The
letters were once produced in court and
read to jury. 1t is said that while the
letters are withheld some one who ought
to be punished is shielded.