The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-09
THE QUANOARY
STILL EXISTS
City Officials Hold a Long
and Fruitless Dis
cusSion.
Finances in a Middle That Only
Holding Back Salaries
Can Remedy.
Th. Mayor Will Send an Expert to
Sc What Employees Can Be
Diipens d With.

The meeting of the heads of the mum
icipsl departments yesterday to consider
the financial stringency accomplished
very little though 1t became patent to
every one that something must be done,
and done quickly. The matter, after q
desultory consultation lasting . couple OF
hours, mmered down to an alternative
OF the City employees conserving to their
salaries for June being held over until
July Is or the merchants who have
trusted the City for supplies losing thou
sands of dollars because of the funds OF
this fiscal year being exhausted before the
claims are met
In addition to the heads of departments.
there were present the Mayor and Super
visors Haskins, Deyany and Ro,tanzi.
Clerk Russell of the board explained
that if the taxes had been paid up as they
should have been there was no need of q
shortage, but that as this source oil
revenue had fallen short the City's affairs
were in muddled condition.
The question of cutting off heads to save
money so that the deficiency might be
met wa, taken up, but it did not 60 Jar,
because those who were asked how MANY
men they could spare at once said that
they needed all of their men and could
not run their departm ents without them.
County Clerk Curry, License Collector
Lees, City and County Attorney Cres-
well and DR.. Williamson of the Board oil
Health all declared that their men were
absolutely needed.
Then Sheriff Whelan took a hand in
the discussion. He said that it was evil
dent that few departments would consen.
10 decrease in the number of employees
and that the only solution of the problem
seemed to be to hold out the June sal nv
until after the new fiscal year is under
way. He said that he could speak for his
department
Auditor BrodericK protested. He stated
that if the warrants were presented TO
him and demands were made for them he
would have to deliver them up. OF course,
if the warrants were held in the de part
ments and not given to him he cou d not
sign and could not be held responsible.
II was explained that a months salary
roll would just about cover the deficiency
and it seemed for time as though this
course might be adopted, but somewhat
acrimonious discussion arose between
County Clerk Curry and Auditor Broder-
lex over the increase in the expenses OF
the Two Offices and the main issue was
lost sight of for the moment.
When the exchange OF doubtful pleas
antries ceased Clerk Russell stated that in
his mind the only solution of the matter
seemed to be that suggested by Sheriff
Whelan, that of holding pack the June
salaries.
Coroner Hawkins and others declared
that they would not vouch for the willing
ness of their subordinates to wait for their
money and the discussion became general
without anything being decided on.
Chief of Police Lees suggested that ex-
penses in the Police Department might be
reduced by the City buying the outside
stations, for which rent is now being paid.
Supervisor Haskins stated that such a
project was under consideration by the
Health and Police committee Of the board.
The question of collecting back taxes
was brought up and City and County At