The San Francisco call., 1897-01-30
SUPE RWSORS WONDERED
Then They Refused to Approve
Bills for Turkey and
Fixings.
A Bill for Surgical Instruments
Failed, Along With Quail and
Asparagus.

Supervisor Rotianzi pulled out whet-
stone at the City Hall yesterday ana
sbarpened long nladed knife, and then
went into the several suDervisorial COM
mittees in which he is included and pre-
pared to do slashing business.
He had not been sitting long in the
Committee on Health and Police when a
bill of Waller Bros. amounting to 1854 90
came along. This was for surgical in
struments furnished to the Receiving
Hospital. The bill had been approved by
DR.. WE'LL. Supervisor Delaney and Super
visor RottanZI cast a side glance at this
bill when it was up before the committee
last week. During the week, by agree
ment Supervisor RottanZl went about to
inquire into the reasonableness of the
charges.
81 found out" said Supervisor Rot
tanzi yesterday, "that the same instru-
inents can be bought IN open marke for
S168 05, which is a difference of $50 85.
the price OF the imported instruments,
putting them i'll at the full price. The
difference still remained nearly $780,"
The com mittee also learned another
singular tact, which was that the bill of
Waller Bros. mad been 20 KID" by DR.. WE'LL
before he had opened the cases containing
the instruments. The result of this
knowledge was that the committee re-
fused to approve the bill.
Sam L. Waller of the firm of Waller
Bros. made an explanation of the transac-
ton. He was authorized by the old Board
of Supervisors to purchase 5000 worth of
instrume nts for the Receiving Hospital.
The instruments were 10 be selected by
Dr.. WE'LL. The last-named City official
would not consent to purchase the instru-
ments of any one except Beroet Bros,
whose store is near the new City Hall.
Waller went TO one other place with DR..
WE'LL and proposed to visit others, but
could not persuade DR.. WE'LL to go with
him. Consequently there was no COM
petition in prices. Mr.. Waller charged Is
per cent profit for himself, taking a trade
discount of 10 per cent and profit above
the open market rate of 5 per cent. This
he considered only reasonable pay for his
trouble. He will try to make the dealers
take the instruments, back for the
City will not paw any such price for them.
Waller was exonerated from ali blame.
Dr. Rottanzi was instructed to buy the
needed instruments.
Shortly after this happening the Finance
Commit sat. 1t opened its eyes when
DR.. Rottanzi entered objection to bill OF
Iuxuries from the Almshouse amounting
to $106 Is. But all the members of the
committee involuntarily smacked their
lips as they thought of the delicacies
which the Almshouse people have en-
joyed.
For on the bill, which represented only
supplies furnished from December to
Decem Der 30, inclusive of both dates, were
mentioned turkey and cranberries repeat
edly. the latter presumably having been
converted into a prime article of cram
berry sauce to make the turkey slip down
official throats more easily. The bill
omitted to mention the price of turkey
per pound or chicken per pound or any
thing else per pound. The viands were
simply furnished IN delicious bulk with
out any unpaIatable details on the bill to
clog the delights of feasting.
There was a long list of delicacies.
Mouths watered at the thought of as
paragus, pineapples. bananas, japanese
oranges, Isabella grapes. black grapes,
figs, oysters, turkey, quail chckens--and
cranberry sauce. The bill was laid over
to be further considered.