The San Francisco call., 1897-11-28
SAN JOSE'S
PECULIAR
EXECUTIVE
Offers to Bet That
He Is Not a
Liar.
HOW THE POINT WAS
RAISED.
With the Inevitable Inference
Concerning the Mayors
VeraCity.
Mr.. KOCH AND HIS OFFICE
HOURS.
Som etim IS He Keeps Tbs m and
Some;im IS, |, Is Clear,
n Doss Not.
With the Inevitable Inference
Concerning the Mayors
Veracity.
Mr.. KOCH AND HIS OFFICE
HOURS.
Som atlm He Keeps Tbs m and
Some;i IS, |, Is Clear,
H. Doss Not.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL


/ fered 10 wager to-day that he was not a
liar.
This rather strange propo osition was
made TO The CALL correspondent but
declined. On this hangs an interesting
story, in the course of which it will be
shown that Mayor Koch has again vio
LATED section 113 OF the Penal Code, there
by committing an offense punishable by
| Imprisonment from one 10 fourteen years.
1he course of events also demonstra ted
that the pres ent Mayor of the city of San
Jose has peculiar ideas regarding his
duties and sponsibilities, which are
lsarly lad down in the new charter.
This instrument Mayor Koch helpel to
frame, having been one OF the fifteen free
holders who prepared and dopted it,
In the azticle published in to-day CALL
it was stated, as part OF an interview with
Mayor Koch, that the latter has in his
custody as Mayor Of the city the claim OF
Charles Wehner for $3.50, which had been
passeI Tor the second time by the City
Council. Repeated efforts were made by
the correspondent of THE CALL yesterday
TO see the Mayor, In oruer that this claim
might be inspected, but without success.
the same direction to-day the Mayor was
seen coming along Santa Clara street,
bound westward from First Just before
he reached the Office of The CALL agency
he step ped into the doorway OF a neigh
boring store. He was approached by The
CALLS correspondent, who asked TO be
allow Ell TO inspect the Wehner claim.
~ haven't got it in my pocket" said
his Honor; "I have got it,in MY Office"
"Well l will 20 TO your office with you
if that is the case, anu look at it there,
answered THE CALL spondent.
= You can't see II. II Is not a public
record, and l am not going to my office
now.'
After it had been explained to the
Mayor that the claim, by reason OF its
hav ng been passed by the Councli and
placed in his hands for his al prOval, Was
a public record, and that by refusing to
permit an inspection OF 1t he was commit
ting a similar offense 10 that which he had
committed in destroying he first Wehner
aim and warrant, he declared tnat he
mad not refused an in >pectlon of it, but
that he did not propose to be at his Off ce
except during the hours he had hxed.
These are indicated By sign tackled 10
his Office door in the city, and are from 8
10 10 A. NJ.
When II was pointed out 10 him that he
was O public servant, elected to perform
the duties of the office with which his fel.
low citizens haI honored him he claimed
that he was not being paid and cCuid not
be compelled to attend 10 the city s busi-
neS-.-
There is an express provision in the
charter with reference TO Office hours
which the Mayor has evidently overlooked.
In this same instrument, under section
10, article XIII, there is provision as fol-
lows:
All books and records of every flee and de-
psrtment shall be open 10 the las pection OF
any c1 izen any time during business hours,
subject TO the proper rules and regulatio MS
Tor me fficient conduct OF the business OF sUcG
department or flee. Copies CT extracts from
sa ii books and records, duly certified, shail
be given by the tficer having the SAM in
custody to any person demanding the same
and paying or rendering cents per toIio of
100 words for such cop es or extracts, and the
additional sum of 70 cents Tor ceruiylng TO
sucn Certified copy or extract.
y. . lhe May or's compensation, that
gentleman WAS also IN error, notwith-
standing that the amount that he is
entitled 10 is now matter OF litigation
be ore Judge Lorigan.
Under the old charter the Mayors salary
was 5000 per annum. Under the new
charter ii is fixed at $1,000 ler annum.
Tue only question in Controversy is as to
goes in,o effect. In any event The Mayor
has been, is and VIII continue be under
pay as long as he holds the Office.
Alter some turther argument Mayor
Koch wa induced Ia make an apl ONT
ment to be III his office between and 5
O'Clock this afternoon. Promptly at
O'clock the representative OF 1HE CALL,
with companion, was a the Mayor ,
office. The Coor was found locked. Vigil
was kepl until few minutes past D, but
May or Il ca ia led 10 put IN an apl ear
ance. Shortly b. ore $50, while The
CALLS retIe ,entailse WAS standing LII
mont vi HE CALLS agency on Santa clara
street, Mayor h Gu approached and aske
the c( spondenI why ne had not been
at his office at the time fixed. The latter
replied that he Wa there from O'Clock
until few minutes after 5.
Il was al my office in the City Hall from
hall past 3 until 3 minutes past 4, assert
ed the Mayor.
You were no." responded the CORE
spopdent.
Then am liar?" shouted he Mayor,
in tones CT fseeming anger.
Yes, Sir, was the prompt reply.
''l'!l bel You SO" said the Mayor div
ing down III his pocket with the evident
inientlo OF drawing out a double eagle,
That l vas there between half-pasI 3 anu
5 minutes after "
He was lnf.rmed that the subject OF
controversy WAS not matter TO be roved
with a wa. er, that the street was not
place to discuss such a point and that the
pfoof would be forthcoming at the proper
time anu IN the proper place. His Honor
then walked away.
Not uninleresIing n connection with
the Wehner contract is the fact that the
sureiies th reon are Peter Keiser and
james W. Rea. Kaiser is the partner OF
Koch IN the harness and carriage busi.
ness. Rea and Wehner are partners in
certain quarry.
In view of TIE fact that Mayor Koch
was eiecfeG as an anli-5ang man it was a
strange sight TO see him head straight for
Rea's office immedia .ely alter the first In
,x.r,aw waS had u ifh IN M