The San Francisco call., 1897-01-05
PHELAN TAKES Up THE REIuS
OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
He Plainly Points Out the Way of Duty and Needed
Reform 10 the New Board of
Supervisors.

| ing the two years of Office just terminated
nave strlven to serve The people honestly and
impartially, and if in this board we have ad
differences of opinion on public questions our
personal relations have generally been OF a
pleasant character, and you have my best
wishes for your future prosperity.
Mayor Phelan then responded, reading
| mis- inaugural address with crisp, bus-
ness-like manner and tone of voice. He
takes a firm stand for retrenchment, econ
omy and public i'm provement. He said:
To the Honorable the Board OF Supervisors:
Pursuant to custom, l, viii take this oppor-
tunity OF addressing you the newly e4ected
Board OF Supervisors, who viii have in your
keeping Inc welfare of this City and County
1or the-neXt TWO years. You have been eal ed
10 high and responsible trust and inves ted
with large powers at q time when the citizens
OF san Francisco have to an unprecedented de-
gree taken an interest in public matters The
rise OF impr roYemenU clubs, the discussion OF
new charter and the imposition OF an exces-
sive tax have brought the forces OF good gov
ernmeut 10 the front to make battle for
better, more progressive and more widely
economical administration OF municipal al
fairs. The people have expressed confidence
in your Willingness and ability 20 undertake
this task, and they place their reliance in
pledged by your several political parties speci-
fcally and generally to a busineSs-like admin
istration OF the City's affairs.
He expressed regret that the City has
not more satisfactory charter than the
consolidation act, and said no municipal
| progress on broad and enduring lines is
possible till a new charter based on the
experience of other American cities is
adopted. He said it would be his first
! duty to consider economy without parsi-
moDy. The people desireiim prove ments,
but they want the public revenues pru-
IDENTIFY expended. High taxation in the
past has been due TO waste and extrava-
| apd fn ha cI, Of ba h,,r
dens, especially as to frapchises and per-
sonal property, which, he told the new
board, it is in their power to remedy. The
board, sitting as board of equalization,
should CO. operate with the Assessor. He
said he would point out one or TWO of sew
eral extravagan conducted City depart
ments to illustrate the spirit OF extrav"-
gance which has grown uD in the munich
pality which could be remedied by the
board or by the Legislature, and he rec
commended the appointment of legisla-
tive committee to watch and prevent
legislation inimical to the City.
In 1893-94 the County Clerks Office ex-
pended for salaries the sum OF $40, 6,261. In
1894-95 chat sum had grown to $95. .6S6, and
in 1886 to about $134 600 There must be
a legislative check put upon the wastetul
travagance OF this Office, because the County
Clerk himself refuses TO voluntarily conduct
his Office within reasonable limits of expendi-
ture.
The cost of the clerical force in the Office of
the Justices of the Peace has lncr eased over
last year % per cent. In the license Office
there has been likewise an increase OF about
20 per cent, while the Police courts have be-
come large source OF expense, whereas
formerly they were source OF revenue 10 the
City. The Supervisors should recommend the
Leg tslature 10 abolish one OF the courts. as
three courts amply sufficient Tor the neces-
stiles of this City
The sum of S24, 4,72O has been set aside for
janitor service in the new City Hall, which is
clearly excessive. But not only the amount
expended bat the Character OF the work done
has been the cause of public indignation.
He called attention to the abuse OF the
urgen: necessity fund. The sum of $780,
730 10 had beer expended for things
which were in no sense an urgent neces-
sity. About 81 900 COO had been expended
for supplies throughout the City depart
ments, when he knew from competent
authority that % per cent more than the
retail price was paid for them. He recon-
mended the abolition of the fish and game
warden as an unnecessary office
The contract for lighting public build
ings and streets by gas had been let for
nearly two years ahead. He had been in
formed by competent authority that II
cents per lamp is excessive and recon-
mended investiga ton. He made the same
criticism and recommendatio in regard
to public electric lighting, the price being
more than is charged private individuals
in the same circumstances The advance
of gas and electric stocks was due tc the
increased earning capacity of the COM
pany. In New York, whore the gas and
electric companies have combined, as they
have here, the Board OF Aldermen had
taken steps toward the acquisition of
gas ana electric plant. fearing the power
of the com bination.
The ma iority of this board are pledged tn q
material reduction OF the cost of gas electric
light and telephone service, which can be
done without any injustice to the com pa nies
We are paying nearly dou bic the price Of cleo
trio and gas Illumination in this City that is
paid in Eastern cities, and while the condi
lions are different the difference is not by any
means considerable as that. AS example
OF municipal progress would Call your atten-
iion TO the fact that the city OF Glasgow after
January 1 viii levy no municipal taxes, the
revenue from the water department. street
cars and gas being sufficient for all municipal
expenses.
Inregard to the fixing of water rates by