The San Francisco call., 1899-11-17
.FRAGLEY COULD
SEE PROFIT IN
A BAD DECISION
A Little Graft That
Did Not Work.
HEAVY ASSESSMENT ORDERED
HARD WINTER AHEAD OF THE
STREET DEPARTMENT.
Superintendent Said He Would Garry
Charter Case Up, but the
Clerks Would Not Put
Up the Stuff.
HEAVY ASSESSMENT ORDERED
HARD WINTER AHEAD OF THE
STREET DEPARTMENT.

Notwithstanding carly rains and every
assurance OF abundant feed there are
evidences that the grass is getting short
in the Street Department. In fact II is
said that Farmer Fragley, who conducts
that end of the municipal ranch. has
been similarly troubled time and again
during his administration and on each
occasion has. tided over by appealing for
assistance on one plea or another to his
over-generous help. That his employees
have each time responded is a matter Of
City Hall history and general knowledge
They could not we'll DO otherwise con-
sidering Jobs were scarce with plenty of
takers.
On this latest occasion, however, it
looks as though Fragley were up against
the real thing. AT other times when the
word has gone down the line he has had
his 1.-THE without a murmur. but that was
before the Supreme Court charter decis-
ion Knocked him out OF office and reduced
MS hiring capacity 10 an Improbable
minimum. twenty-five per cent or even
more: of q months salary was u mere
nothing IL il assured the well-touched
deputy OF the balance Where Fragley
got OH wrong, according to three or four
OF his deputies, WAS in trying TO make
money on his adverse decision.
Not many days after that had been
handed down he made semi-official an
nouncement that he would carry his case
on up 10 the United States Supreme Court.
He was particular TO inform his deputies
OF his intention and, through his lieuten-
ant ia the department, spread before them
glowing pictures Of the absolute certainty
of success and also gave them assurances
that they would be retained in office
when the old man wins out" Even If
he should not win, was argued, the char
ter could not go into effect until a de-
cision was handed down and no one could
say how long that would be. Ftagley
handed these packages out for the better
part of a fortnight, but made them so
strong that the old hands lost interest in
everything else and waited only for the
inevitable touch
According TO one Of the Superintend-
ents Well-known clerks 1t came in the
shape of a suggestion that as the "old
man was TO carry his case up In the in
terests OF all every one should share in
the expense. THAT kind Of graft worked
before, but we were waiting for II this
time said The Calrs informant yester-
day. I'VE had been given 10 understan
that when we didn't come TO the front
We could begin working on our resigna-
tions, and We generally anted, but when
IL came this time we wouldn't stand for
IL. II was too near the end OF the year
and the end of the office. so we passed
the old man up Ike a white chip and
you can't hear yourself think out there
now for the roar that is going up.
don't think he would have carried the
case up, anyway" Despite hard times
however, Fragley insists that he will not
give ~ his Office and he will probably
decline 10 turn over his books at the end
Of the year.