The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-24
JUSTICE JOHN TES9IFIES
Regarding the Customs and Duties Of
His Department.
EVIDENCE OF HEALTH OFFICIALS ALSO
But No Recommendations Were Made
Last Night by the Committee on Res
trenchment and Reform-Clean-
ing the Streets Discussed.


tee on Retrenchment and Reform last
night was entirely given up 10 the ex-
animation of witnesses and no recon-
mendations were made. The Police JUS
tice, President OF the Board Of Health.
the physicians to the poor and Inspector
OF Plumbing were examined at length.
but Mayor Taylor. who had been sum-
moned 70 appear. was not on hand
! Those present when the Committee met
shortly before o'clock were Messrs. II.
/ w. Rountree (sub-chairman). Jones.
Noble. zimmerman, HARRISON. and
John j. King. Messrs. Allen and Ebel
came in later
An opinion was received from the City
Attorney IN regard to the salaries OF the
judges OF the city courts. in which he
stated that the compensation of such Of
nciah from the state was SO small that
no poputable lawyer would accept tho
positions unless tho salaries were supple
meuted by the city, The City Attorney
/ further stated that tho salaries Of these
officials could not be reduced during theiF
term Of office
A second opinion was rendered by the
| city Attorney. setting forth that the
salary OF the Commissioners OF Revenu-
could not be reduced al this time because
his work for ls0 had been begun, but
the pay OF the city Collector could be re-
duced as he simply received commissions
on money collected. The reports were
received and fled
JUSTICE CRUTCHFIELD.
Police Justice John j. Crutchfeld
had been summoned 10 appear before the
committee and give information Of the
work done by his department
Justice, Crutchhed stated that during
1896. there had been SAP arrests. 2.7i9
ordinance violations. 5000 civil cases. aud
300 continuance. which are equal 10 new
cases. thus making nearly 1900 cases dis
posed Of in 1896.
My work is not done when ! leave the
bench. though. gentlemen" said Justice
John; 1T is just begun / am reused up
al all hours OF the day and night by the
old maid aunts. sweethearts. and moth
ers-in-law coming TO beg for some ones
release"
How much money do you turn in to
the City Treasury" asked Mr.. Noble.
In the eight years that have been in
Office" responded the Police Justice. Il
have collected SS4203.37."
Justice Crutrhheld said further that
HIS work on account Of ordinance changes
had been increased fully one-third.
In regard 10 the position of crier Of tho
Police Court which is filed by Sergeant
Thomas, Justice Crutchheld states that
this official was not appointed by the city
Council. but was simply a Sergeant Of
Police designated by the Board Of Police
Commissioners 10 fin the office Of crier.
Tho Police Justice explained in fun
the arduous duties of the crier and dem
onstrated that that official had his hands
full.
NONE CAN BE SPARED.
"Gentsemcn" he said earnestly. "I
don't SEQ now IL would be possible to run
tho Police Court satisfactorily TO the
city with less force. The clerk and
bailin, also. are positively necessary as
it is necessary that ! should have
trained man 10 write those Hastings Court
papers. But Tor that there would neces-
sarlly be ID great delay. All OF my Of
ncials are faithful and conscientious
men.
The salary of the Police Justice in
$50" be continued was $1,000. but it was
reduced lO percent, and although other
salaries were restored mine never was.
The Police Justice concluded his state.
ment with the remark that the Police
Court was O. paying institution
ut pays 100 per cent" he said. L
never heard u one paying expenses De-
f.rc.'
Dr. W. r. Oppenh.msr. pres dent OF the
Board OF Health. then appeared before
the comm ttce and stated tnat the Health
department force consisted OK himself, a
clerk. four policemen. who acted as
sanitary officers. an Inspector OF plumb |
ine. and four physicians 20 the poor.
These are ALL" sad Or. ODpenhlmer,
Outside OF the force on the streets and AZ
the city stables. We have 10 clean the
clty5 streets. remove garbage and dead |
animals. cleaning al street basins. dis
injecting cases of contagious diseases and |
inspecting plumbing and premises
Dr. ODpenhlmer then enumerated the |
number OF men, hands. and carts employ |
cd IN the four districts Of the city
Doctor. you have doubtless thought |
great deal about this matter" said Mr.. |
Noble. "Is there any plan you could sug- |
gest by which this department could be |
run more economically2"
ECONOMICAL METHODS
Or ODpenhimer replied that he thought |
the department WIS run as economically /
as possible. Money might be saved he /
said. BY the contract system. and em-
ployinc co.ored labor. but he did not think
n would be found % work well In the end.
case
III 7 were 10 hire negro men at the
dumps said DR. Oppenhimer 'and negro
bows 10 drive tho carts. the former az
ninety and the latter az twenty-five cents
per day. money might be saved"
The president OF the Board Of Health
thought. however, that such system "
contract methods would not work well
lie thought that under the contract sy5-
TEN he and his sanitary inspectors would
be powerless 20 enforce proper work.
He did not think that the city could be
kept reasonably clean for less money
Man IS now expended. lie cited the city
of Atlanta. Ca, which. with a smaller
population. expends nearly 100000 per
year for street cleaning.
Or. Oppenhimer further said that even
with the present Appropriation the city
was not kept reasonably clean. on ac-
count Of insufficient force.
Dr. Oppenhlmer outlined the work Of
the sanitary inspectors. and stated that
che position he'd bv the plumbing inspec-
tor was an important one. although too
recently created 10 furnish any statistics
In regard 70 the crematory Dr. Oppen.
himer stated that two men were kent
there all the year round, and one extra
man IN the summer.
rs there any one IN the Health Office
who receives fees for certain work?'
asked Captain King
DR. Oppenhlmer reniied that ths clerk
had been receiving 81 each for certified
certificates Of death. there being no law
unOn the subject.
Regarding the physicians TO the poor
Or Oppenhimer stated tkat they were