The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-31
Harsh Words Over the
Light Question.
FIRST BIG FIGHT IN BOARD
APPROPRIATIONS GO OVER FOR
A HALF YEAR.
The Proposed Expenditures for New
Police Station and Other I'm
provements Will Not Be
Made.

The first harsh, words We're spoken by
the new Supervisors yesterday
Inc matter came UP on a vote TO permit
the Mutual Electric Light Company 10
erect poles in the city outside of the fire
limits. The majority justified their vote
on the ground that the policy of the board
and OF past boards was to place all wires
underground.
The discussion which developed over the
resolution was the most acrimonious in
which the new board has up to the pres
ent time INDUCED. 1t was precipitated
late In the afternoon by Supervisor By
ington. He wanted to know what dispo-
sition had been made of the petition of
the Mutual Electric Light Company TO
erect poles. Supervisor Aigeltinger ex-
planned that it had been received by the
board and referred TO the Street Commit
tee. Owing to pressure of business &C
! ton by the committee on it had been de-
ferred one week
Upon this showing Supervisor Perrault
moved that it be taken from the commit
tee and considered by the board as a COM
mittee of the whole. When this had been
done Supervisor Perrault moved that it
be granted. This brought out the oppo-
sition. Holland objected to permission
being granted to place overhead wires
When all efforts were being made to beau
wanted
matlon as TO what the company proposed
TO do.
DR.. Perrault insisted that he was there
TO 90 what was right and fair and not to
champion the cause of any company Mr.
Deasy followed in the same strain, saying
the board was only granting privileges
already enjoyed by the old company.
Collins wanted consideration of the
matter TO lay over, as all wires should be
placed underground. he did not believe
IN putting some up only to take them
down again.
DR.. Perrault wanted to go on record as
willing to grant the desired permission
He said: Il don't like the looks of this
hght. 1t is dirty fight on both sides,
and should not be considered" Upon the
vote being taken, the application of the
Mutual Company was denied. Those
against it Were Holland, Kalben, Phelps,
Collins, Black, Heyer and Attridge. Those
favoring it were Perrault, Byington.
Deasy, Lackmann and Aigeltinger.
Mayor Phelan explained that under a
recent decision of Judge Seawel the
board can be mandamused for refusing
to grant the petition.
The matter of appropriating $50 900 for
various improvements was finally laid
over until the end of the fiscal year, as
previously recommended by the Finance
Committee. Five firms bid on the pro-
posed new police station in the Mission,
which was to absorb $50, 900 of the appro-
priation. The bids were rejected and re-
turned unopened. Supervisor Lackmann
on the Improvement of Joyse street, his
pet hobby. He quoted figures supplied by
Chief Lees, showing saving of $S4S3 a
year to the city If it owned the police
station. The figures he read were quickly
torn TO pieces by Perrault and Collins
The former claimed that Lees forgot to
reckon making stablemen out of police
men at 500 per month salary, which he
claimed was being done. He said there
were many things in the proposed appro-
priation that would bear scrutiny. 1t
developed that the city paid $500 for adj
vertising for bids for the police station,
which amount was lost when the bids
were rejected
The matter of the employment of TWEEN
ty-flYe extra policemen was finally de-
feated, Supervisor Lackmann alone vot-
ing in favor of it.
The board decided to await the opin-
ion of City and County Attorney Lane
before taking action upon the application
Of Tax Collector Sheehan for an appro-
priation of $4,000, and also the payment
of nine clerks employed by him when he
took office.
In the matter of the demand on the
treasury presented by the San Francisco
Gas and Electric Company and the Gas
Improvement Company for lighting
streets and public buildings during the
month of December, 1898. the City and
County Attorney was requested to fur
nish the board with his opinion on the
following matters: First, as to the legal
Interpretation of the Hon. J. M. Sea-
wells late decision in the case of William
Auditor, and as to the proper action, if
any, to be taken by the board under said
decision. Second, as to the proper action
to be taken by the board in the matter
of the demands on the treasury presented
by the Pacific Gas Improvement Company
and the San francisco Gas and Electric
Company for gas and electric lighting
during the month of December, 1898, and as
to whether or not the board before the
passage of the said demands can adjust
and allow fair and reasonable compen-
& services nPrfOrmpd wit
reference to the rates or price specified
in their contracts. Third, as to whether
or not the contracts executed and existing
between the city and county and the San
Francisco Gas and Electric Company and
the Pacific Gas Improvement Company
are valid and binding upon the city and
county.
1t was resolved that no extra clerks or
employees shall hereafter be employed in
the public offices or departments of this
city and county on and from this date
except in cases where the services of ex-
ira clerks or employees are on examina-
ton deemed to be absolutely necessary
for the public interests by the Finance
Committee of the board.
The position of matron in the City Pris-
on, now filled by Mrs. Walsh, was de-
appointed to fill the vacancy. Insubor-
dination was charged against Mrs. Walsh
by Chief Lees, who suspended her. She
claimed to have a pull with the board
chemical expert to assist the Finance
Committee in the investigation of the gas
question.
The San Joaquin Valley Railroad was
granted permission to run it's cars across
Bryant street to the site the company has
selected for it's terminus.
The resolution pledging the city to raise
money for the park panhandle was finally
passed.
Supervisor Holland is in a quandary
over the furnishing of the Hall of JUS
tice. The Superior Judges declined to ac-
cept the quarters offered them on the
ground that the City Hall departments
contain data for which they have use all
the time On the other hand Supervisor
Holland holds that the courts should be
near the Police Department, which has
charge of the evidence in all criminal
cases. 1t is expected that the matter will
be adjusted during the week.
THE STEAMBOAT ACCIDENT.
More Testimony Taken by the In
n