The San Francisco call., 1897-12-18
Some Are Commended, Others
CenSured for the State Of
Affairs.
TIE ATTORNEYS OFFICE USELESS.
A Bond Issue Recommended by Spe-
cial Committee on City I'm
proVements.

The Grand Jury that has been in session
for several months past filed It's annual re-
port with Superior Judge Seawell yester-
day and was dismissed from further at
tendance.
The report is the most complete and
comprehensive document of the kind filed
by a Grand Jury of this city for many
years past, showing that the various COM
mittees have gone very thoroughly into
the departments under their charge.
The administration of the offices of the
Assessor, Auditor and Treasurer are very
favorably commented upoH. The Treas
uier's Office was found by the jury to be in
an excellent condition.
In its report the Committee on School
Department calls attention to the fact that
many new school buildings are needed and
that the necessity of repairs is plainly ap-
parent. A new school building is recon-
mended for the district west OF Cast
street.
In reporting on the gas and water CON-
panies. no reference is made to the possi-
bility that the gas used in this city is OF
more than usually poisonous character.
4 tribute is paid to the Fire Com mmis-
sioners and Chief Sullivan for the manner
in which the department under their con-
troll is conducted. 4he Exempt Firemen's s
organization was also found to be in excel
lent shape. The recommendation is so
m ade that the Fire Department be placed
on fully paid basis.
Severe comment Is made In reference to
the methods of The police courts in accept
ing Questionable sureties on bonds. The
mum Der of dismissals in proportion 10 the
convictions is also commented on, with
the balance against the courts.
a change In the manner of paying the
shorthand reporters of the courts is ad-
vocated. The opinion is hazarded that no
business man or house would pay an en-
ploye for attendance and additionally for
the labor performed.
More than passing notice is given to the
manner in which the contracts for the
building of the dome of the City Hall have
been carried out. The statement is made
that in many cases the work has been in
rerIor to that called for by the specifica-
tions. 1t is said by the committee that
the sixteen columns that support the
lantern surmouniing the inner glass dome
are nothing more than sheet iron, when
the specifications call for cast-iron. Other
portions OF the work are also severely
commented upon.
The report on the Police Department is
thorough and exhaustive. The conclu-
sion is reached that the department, if
fairly treated In the way OF funds and
given the encouragement it deserves,
would be credit to the city. The recon-
mendation is made that the entire first
foo: as we'll as the basement OF the Hall
of Justice be devoted 10 the uses of the de-
pRrtment; that the construction of the
Hall of Justice he pushed with all pos
sible dispatch; that all police buildings
be owned by the city. and that all saloon
licenses be under the direct control OF the
Police Commissioners.
The condition OF the buildings and ap-
pIiances of the City and County Hospital
are condemned, and the reccm mmendation
is made that a new hospital be provided
at the earliest possible moment.
The City ana County Attorneys Office
is declared to be expensive, and OF little
good to the city. A recommendation is
made that the ireeholders to be soon
elected make 4 provision TO have it con-
solidated with the District Attorney s
Office.
The special committee appointed to sub
NIT a com prehensive scheme for public
Improvements outlined, takes up the Civ