The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-30
PERRAULT DOES
NOT POSE AS
A REFORMER
He Does Not Believe
in Undue Haste.
TALKS OF APPROPRIATIONS
LEGACIES OF THE OLD LOARD TO
BE REVIEWED.
TALKS OF APPROPRIATIONS
Supervisor Kalben Explains His Ac-
ton Resembling the Recommends
ton Allowing Mutual Electric
Company to Erect Poles.

Supervisor Perrault disclaims any inten-
ton to pose as reformer, and in ex
PLANTATION of his opposition to certain ap-
preparations by the board he says he was
actuated by the best of motives and a due
regard for the interests of the city.
There has BEEN said Perrault much
adverse criticism as to my course in post
poning consideration of these appropria-
tons. l would like it understood that
my resolution does not cancel them, but
simply defers action until such time as
they can receive the consideration they
deserve and until we can become thor
oughly conversant with the city's finances
and its legal responsibilities. l believe
our proper course in the matter of the
contracts made by our predecessors and
handed down to US as legacies to be one
OF calm elaboration, and l claim the right
to review the acts of the past board in
order to protect the present one.
In the item of the appropriation of
$l200 for steps leading up TO Joyce street,
have carefully investigated the PROPOSE
tlon, and l find that the property-owners
have been paying for those steps for the
past thirty-five years. The city has never
assumed the responsibility of providing
the steps, and ii is optional with it TO
maintain them or not. Now the proper
method to pursue would be to re-estab-
llsh the grade so as 10 open the street to
traffic. OF course, this would leave the
property abutting on it some twenty-five
feet above the grade. but that plan has
been followed on other streets.
'As to the $25 600 for the condemnation
of Twenty-fifth street, that is another
matter which the Board should not pass
until thorough inquiry has been made
into it, Although the Street Committee
will undoubtedly report in favor of the
condemnation, l believe by postponing
action some of the $50, 900 could be saved,
since many of the property-owners are
willing to deed necessary property to the
city and in that way the cost would be
much less than the amount requested.
In regard to the appropriation of $4,000
for new Police Station, the lowest bid
submitted exceeded the appropriation and
new bids will be opened to-day While the
actual necessity of the station and the
consequent increased expense that it
would entail without commensurate re-
suits are apparent to me, still l am sure
1t could be built for less money.
In the matter of the appropriation of
$50 900 for furnishing the Hall of Justice,
the veto of the Mayor was sustained and
new plans and specifications have been
ordered. / consider that the necessary
furniture can be made for much less than
that figure and the new bids, l think, will
confirm me.
The $500 for a water filter system for
the City Hall is eXorbitant on the face of
1t, and that amount could be scaled down
and still leave fair margin of profit.
The resolution authorizing the en-
ployment of twenty-five extra policemen,
which was rescinded, is only a temporary
AFFAIR, as the new charter will give this
city one policeman for every 500 inhabit-
ants, and that will make over 600 guar
dams of the peace.
The $4,000 for the improvement of Hol-
~ and Bernal Parks. of which S6250 had
been expended by the old board, merits
our careful consideration, as does the
$500 for the extension of Van Ness
avenue, although | believe the latter inn
that the funds are wisely distributed in
order to accomplish the best results.
The new Gas Inspector. Topper. will
introduce. some needed reforms in the adj
mlnlStrauon of his office, and these will
go FAR to pay his first years salary. For
example, he will recommend that the gas
lamps situated near electric lights should
not be lit as being superf1uous, and
this of itself will effect quite a saving
Again, he will endeavor to have policemen
act as inspectors, who will note when the
lamps are lit and when extinguished from
which an estimate can be formed. -4e will
also try to have the city districted nth
regard to contracts for lighting. and the
rates will be regulated accordingly"
Supervisor Perrault is not the only one
on the board who is chagrined at the I'M
kind things that have been said about
him with reference to his official acts
Supervisor Kalben was very wrothy at the
accusation that the Street Committee was
rival. the Mutual Electric Light Com
pany, the privilege of erecting poles out
side the fire limits.
The matter has simply been post
poned," said he until the committee can
act intelligently upon it. 1 do not like
the methods pursued in the case by the
Mutual Company. l consider that 1
should have been consulted in regard to
it, but when the petition was presented
was not at the meeting. although earlier
in the day representatives of the corpora
ton stated that they had no petition to
make. don't like TO have anything forced
down my throat, and believe that l am
entitled to know something about the sub
| o.
scinding action in the margin of the
original recommendation. Let these peo-
pie come out in the open, and / am sure
they will receive favorable consideration
if their claims are just. Let the members
of the committee know something about
what they are recommending, and no dis
satisfaction will result.