The herald., 1897-03-10
RENAMED THE EMPLOYEES
Board of Health Takes
Action
At A SPECIAL MEETING Yesterday
Money by Which to Checkmate
the Council
TAKEN ON LEGAL ADVICE
The Old Employees Reelected Under the
New Ordinance
TAKEN ON LEGAL ADVICE
Health officer Instructed Not TO Recognize
CounciImanlc Appolntees
The Question Now In Such shsps That II viii
Have to DO Before the Courts for
Settlement Of Points Involved.
The Case ss II Stands

The fight is now fairly on between the
On Monday the council passed the ordi-
nance taking from the board the power
of appointment of its employees, and on
Monday night a consultation was held
by that body to determine on a course
of action. Attorneys Dockweiler and
Bacon being in attendance. AS stated
in The Herald yesterday morning, 1t was
decided to fight the matter in the courts,
but the course of procedure was not def
nitely settled until yesterday afternoon,
between and o'clock, when special
meeting of the board was held for that
purpose.
Mayor Snyder and DR.. Colburn went
down to San Pedro. as did also Attorney
Bacon. but on their return they went
at once to the city hall, where Drs. Sal
isbury and Cowles were awaiting them.
DR.. Moore was not present, but sent his
proxy to the mayor. It was also observed
that the board employees were lounging
about the corridors somewhat later than
usual.
After a somewhat protracted confer
cnce with Attorney Bacon. in the private
office, the doors were opened and the re-
porters and clerk were invited to enter.
The mayor promptly called the meet
ing to order, and after the calling Of the
roll. DIR. Colburn offered the following
resolution. which had evidently been
prepared by the attorney, and which
was seconded by DR.. Cowles:
Whereas, On the Sth day of March,
1897, the city council of Los Angeles
passed and adopted an ordinance entitled
ordinance No. 4101 new series) provid-
ing for the number of employees in the
health office. and fixing the amount OF
their compensation, in which ordinance
ployes shall be appointed by the city
council: and,
Whereas. Said provision is in conflict
with the charter of this city and there
fore void and imperative, notwithstand-
ing which a question as to the status or
the present employees of this board has
arisen now therefore, be II
Resolved. That this board proceed to
the appointment of five sanitary inspec-
tors one of which shall act as clerk of
the department and one other OF which
shall be inspector of street sweeping, one
meat and milk inspector and one keeper
of the city hospital, said employees to
Dc DdlQ Ine SdldflcS PiONioCo W tAiE
ordinance as now in force.
A vote was taken, and the resolution
was adopted by a unanimous vote OF
those present. the mayor stating that he
would not use DR.. Moore's proxy, as it
was unnecessary.
The mayor announced that appoint
ments were in order, and the present
employees were nominated and elected
by the unanimous vote of those present.
NJ 8. Reed. sanitary inspector, to act as
clerk; E. J. Morris, sanitary inspector.
to inspect street sweeping; George
Retzer, Louis Sileweke and Charles M.
Wright. sanitary inspectors; DR.. George
X Dodson, meat and milk inspector.
and !. a. Keyes, keeper of the city hos
pital
The clerk of the board then sent
written notice to City Clerk Hance, who
had been instructed to remain after the
usual hour, and the appointees, who had
also been notified to be In waiting, were
at once sworn in.
Health Officer Powers. who was also
in waiting, was then notified Of the
action taken by the board, and instruct
ed not to recognize any other appointees.
-and that If any others purporting to have
been appointed to these positions re-
ported to him, not to put them to work.
There being no further business. the
board adjourned subject to the call Of
the mayor.
1t is stated that It is the opinion Of at
torneys that the ordinance adopted by
the council Is illegal, In that it Is con-
trary to the charter; but, aside from this.
there is a question whether the ordi-
nance repeals the act under which the
present employees were appointed. There
is no change made In the ordinance ex-
cept in the manner of appointment, and
this, 1t is believed, will not hold. At any
rate, the members of the board Of health
think that by re-electing the old en-
ployes under the new ordinance they
have effectually shut out the council
men.
The council will meet this morning,
and probably the first business that will
be transacted will be the appointment
of board of health employees. These en-
ployes will then apply to City Clerk
Hance to be sworn in, and II this Is done
they will report to Health Ofiicer Pow
ers to be assigned to work DR.. Powers,
acting under instructions of the board.
will refuse to recognize them and the
matter will have to go to the courts for
settlement. with the councilmen's ap-
pointees at the little end Of the stick.