The San Francisco call., 1899-12-31
ASSESSMENT IS
LEVIED BY THE
HEALTH BOARD
Employees Must Pay
for the Contest.
TEN PER CENT CONTRIBUTED
HALF A THOUSAND DOLLARS
REALIZED.
Burns Refuses to Put Up for the
Fight Against the Charter and
Orders Job-Holders to
Donate.
TEN PER CENT CONTRIBUTED
HALF A THOUSAND DOLLARS
REALIZED.

From Colonel Daniel NJ. Burns to every
branch of the San Francisco Board of
Health the ultimatum has gone forth
that If the members OF that body wish TO
hold their jobs they must provide, out OF
their salaries, the expenses of the legal
contest which Burns has ordered against
the charter. Notwithstanding the fact
that the members of the Health Depart
ment from top 10 bottom were appointed
for one service or another rendered Burns.
the astute colonel is not willing TO put
up one cent TO maintain them In their
positions. The rapidly diminishing Burns
income is being husbanded against the
expenses of the colonel's next pyrotechnic
attempt to break into the Senate, and in
the present case he considers his duty done
to his supporters now that he and his
expensive attorneys have pointed out TO
the health people the way in which they
think the charter may be broken.
The members of the Board OF Health
have been quick 10 take the tip which Mr.
Burns has handed out. 1t was announced
in The Call some days ago that the board
had taken the coloneIs orders in the mat
ter of a contest. and the particular clause
in the constitution upon which Burns
based his hope of success was given At
that time. The Board of Health was then
quick TO act upon Burns suggestion: IL
has been quick 10 act in the present case,
and yesterday every person on the pay
rolls whether Almshouse, hospital. or city
office. contributed 10 per cent of his De-
cember salary.
Those who yesterday were willing to tax
of the matter were ready 10 say that their
contributions were voluntary: that the as
sessment had been agreed upon by mu-
tual consent, and that they considered it
a sort of general protection" fund. to be
used in the interests of every one con-
cerned; but whether it was voluntary"
or not, il is fact that when the en-
ployes of the department turned up at
their respective headquarters TO demand
their warrants they were handed written
notices to bring back from the Treas
urer's Office 10 per cent of their pay.
No discrimination was made; the health
officer well as the janitor was required
10 make his little contribution. whether
IL worked a hardship or not; and in the
cases of many of the men who have fam
lilies and earn no more than $50 or SIS
month q real hardship was worked.
The employees of the Receiving Hospital
division were instructed TO make their
payments to DR.. Heintz. the city physi-
up to Dr. Hodghead, the superintendent:
Health officer Lawlor or Secretary Ed
Carroll received contributions at the main
Office. and so on through all departments.
The total amount realized by the levy
footed up something over $500; $40, to be
exact. as the payroll for the last month
figured up 5000 and a few odd dollars
The Board of Health does not propose to
open the legal battle for Office. 1t will
simply refuse TO give way TO the charter
board, and that organization will be
forced to begin the necessary proceedings.
Possession is nine points of the law"
said DR.. Lawler yesterday, "and we will
make no move to establish our right to
hold office. We will let the other fellows
do the fighting and have the courts de-
eide who is legally entitled to. the offices.
They will probably bring quo warranto
proceedings, which will take some tine.
and meanwhile we will enjoy possession
of the offices" 4"