The San Francisco call., 1898-06-24
Considers the "Hall of
 Justice" Case.
IT IS PAST UNDERSTANDING
SUCH IS THE OPINION AND NO
 REMEDY IS FOUND.
Suggestion That the "Brick Inspec- tor" Be harged-Members Grieve at Newspaper
 Criticisms.

A report was filed by the Grand Jury yesterday. It related to the delay in the construction of the Hall of Justice and on the subject of delay was an able treatise, but failed to suggest remedy by which the long existing and ever present evil could be remedied. When the report had received its final inspection by the various members of the Grand Jury that body informed Presiding Judge Belcher that it was ready to report. A majority of the members entered, and the court was informed by Foreman Hecht that the Grand Jury had a grievance. He presented an article pub lished in The Call on the 17th inst, in which the effort of the Grand Jury in the investigation of gross frauds prac- ticed in the construction of the new ferry depot was characterized as a weak kneed investigation. After reading the article to the court MT. Hecht stated that in his opinion the jury had been criticized without cause.
 Must we submit?'' interrogated Fore man Hecht. Can the court take official cognizance of this unjust criticism? Is there any protection for grand jurors. as a body from such attacks in the news papers, or are they obliged to submit to them? Cannot the court protect grand jurors from a repetition of the attack?''
 In answer to the plea Judge Belcher re- piled: Freedom of speech and liberty of the press is the scope granted especially in this country, and the vast influence the press exercises as censor of public morals do naught but good. There is nothing in such criticisms of which a court could take official notice. There is nothing on which to base an order to show cause. It is not within the province of the Grand Jury as a body to take cognizance of such publications, but any grand juror who feels himself individually aggrieved may take personal action."
 The court then adVlSed the Grand Jury to go the even tenor of its way-to go ahead fearlessly and conscentiously and pay no attention to newspaper criticisms, just or unjust The report was then filed and the Grand Jury returned to its rooms
 In the report the Grand Jury found that in the year 1895 the Board of Super visors decided to tear down the old mu- nicipal building. On January 6, 1S96 plans with alacrity, and in a short time suit able plan was accepted. Then came de- lay. The Grand Jury lays considerable of this blame at the door of the Board of Supervisors. It states that the build ing committee of that body delayed in having the debris of the old building re- moved. This resulted in an extension of time being granted Bateman Bros, who received the contract to erect the build ing. The last extension of time expires October l of this year, and the Grand Jury deplores the slothlike progress of the constructors. In the report it is stated that the Hall of Justice was vis- ited several times by the body since its appointment, and at no time prior to De- tober g, the date of the Grand Jury in vesugation, was there mechanic in the building.
 At one time a few men were found put ting up a sample ceiling and removing old lumber, but a general spirit of inactivity prevailed. The Grand Jury had examined all officials whose duty it was to see to the speedy completion of the building, but had been unable to arrive at the cause of delay One of the members of the Building Committee of the Board of Supervisors, when questioned as to the reasons for the delay and continued granting of time extension, stated that 1t was the best that could be uone It was also his opinion that the contract was H. legal. This last fact was the occasion of that member of the Building Commit tee had voted aye" on nine different oc- casions to make payments On the very contracts he considered illegal
 June 13 1898. $S61S had been paid on prog Iess estimates of S105 600, and also that during the whole period since the work commenced on the building, notwith- bor was performed, a superintend- ent of construction had been employed at a salary of $25O a month, and another off, cial bearing the title of inspector of
 The delay is past the understanding of the Grand Jury, which points to the rapid completion of many of the largest private buildings in this city, but no sug- gestion is offered, except mat the law be taken advantage of and the work of con- struction be taken from the hands of the proper officials. It is then suggested somewhat in the spirit that a panacea for all existing evils had been discovered that the office of ''brick inspector be abolished, and that the brick inspector go out with his office.