The herald., 1897-03-09

body. unapproved by me, the ordinance
approved by your honorable body March
1. 1897, and entitled An ordinance pro-
viding for the inspection of steam boil
ers and elevators. etc.
INV objection to the ordinance as 1t
now reads is that under its provisions
the boiler and elevator inspectors and
the examining board of engineers are
made a financial burden to the munich
pality. Heretofore they were self-suS-
tanning. For two years one man acted
as inspector, and performed his work to
the entire satisfaction of the council
under which he served, at a salary of
S100 month. Now, by the ordinance
you have just adopted, it Is proposed to
allow the inspector an assistant, at
salary of SIS month, and the members
of the examining board an increase, thus
making the expense of conducting this
department about S1100 per annum
more than it was under the old ordi-
nance.
There is a question in my mind II one
inspector cannot make all necessary In
spections and yet have much easier
time than some of the other city en-
ployes who receive smaller salary and
perform work that is difficult and re-
quires peculiar fitness. During the two
years previous TO the time that the old
ordinance was repealed there was not a
fatality as a result of defective boilers,
etc. And during this time, too, the Of
flee of boiler inspector, etc, was SELL
sustaining but under the provisions OF
the ordinance l now refuse to sign, this
department of the city government can
not be made self-sustaining. The ex-
pense, under this ordinance, would
amount to S22S0 per annum at the very
lowest making no allowance for Incl
dental expenses necessary in carrying On
the work of the department. The ex-
pense of the department last year was
between $1,000 and S1400, and the receipts
about $1,000. so that the office was more
than self sustaining. am informed that
under no circumstances can the reve-
nues of the office be so great this year
as last. and if this should prove to be the
case. it will be necessary to draw on the
treasury to sustain department which
has in the past sustained itself and been
a source Of revenue to the city. lt is
probable however, that in adopting thlf
ordinance your honorable bo1y was fully
aware of the fact that the costs would
be much greater than the receipts, anu
for this reason provided that the IN
spector. his assistant and the examining
engineers should be paid out of the sal
arv fund of the city, instead of the re-
CENTS. as was provided by the old ordi-
nance.
TT is purely on the ground OF economy
that l return this ordinance without
my approval. This is time wnen the
CITY cannot afford additional financial
burdens The very strictest economy Is
an absolute necessity, and any legisla-
tion on your part that Is not IN line with
economy will not meet my approval, no
matter how often your honorable body
may see fit to pass measures over my
veto. 1t is only few weeks ago that the
council appointed committee on re-
trenchment in the matter Of salaries. a
member of your finance committee is
quoted in a morning daily newspaper as
late as yesterday as follows:
"'This retrenchment committee Is
great thing. Salaries were $400 to $500
more than the previous month and II
was a short month too
Every member of your honorable
body is, and If he is not should be, aware
that the city is running from $4,000 to
$4,000 a month behind the allowance for
carrying on the city government for
year Under these circumstances the
very greatest economy should be exer-
cised in every department. Only in
cases that absolutely demand 1t should
expenditures, no matter how small, be
made.
1T is for all of the above reasons that
1 return the enclosed ordinance without
my signature"
On motion of Councilman Baker the
vote by which the ordinance was adopt
ed was reconsidered, and Councilman
Nickel then moved that the office of
boiler inspector be eliminated from the
ordinance.
Councilman Baker said that he did not
think it possible for one man to do the
work, as there are about 1900 inspections
to be made. The old ordinance re-
quired but one inspection. whereas the
new ordinance requires four, hence the
necessity for second man. There
was no second to Councilman Nickelps
son moved that the ordinance be adopt
ed, Notwithstanding the mayors veto.
Councilman Nickel stated that his op-
position was solely on the ground OF
economy, when Councilman Hutchison
stated that the revenues would be in
creased so as to cover the additional
expense, and leave a surplus.
Councilman Baker gave notice that he
would at the next meeting offer an
amendment covering generators, and
the recent fatal accident as
showing its necessity
A vote was taken, and the ordinance
was passed over the veto by vote of
S to /, Mr.. Nickel.
CITY ATTORNEYS REPORT.
The city attorney presented the fol-
lowing report, which was adopted:
In accordance with your instructions
have prepared contract and bond
with Martin NJ. Levering for furnishing
decomposed granite, and the same has
been delivered to him for execution.
l present herewith an ordinance of in
tention for the opening and widening of
Eleventh street. from the west line Of
IAlvarado street to the west charter
boundary line of the city.
In the matter of the suit of Robert L.
Bell vs. the city to quiet title to lots
23 and "a, block H." of the Thomas tract,
l recommend that disclaimer be filed
as the city has no right or interest in
said property.
POLICE COMMISSIONERS REPORT.
The police commissioners reported,
recommending that tbe-saloon license
of D. A Chick for one month be re-
mitted on account of his building not
being completed, and the same was re-
ferred to the finance committee.
The commissioners also recommend
that an ordinance be adopted to pro-
hibit children from coasting on the side
walks and streets, and, on motion of
Councilman Toll, the matter was re-
ferred to the city attorney to draft such
an ordinance, If none exists.
The commissioners also reported in the
matter of the recommendation in refer
ence to issuing a numbered star to the
park superintendent, which was filed.
The report of the superintendent of
the free labor bureau was received and
filed.
ALSO WANTS A NUMBERED STAR