The San Francisco call., 1901-12-01
HEARS DEFENSE
Of RECORDER
Mayor Believes God
chaux Innocent Of
Grave Charges.
Official Says He Did Not
Receive Money From
Copyists

Recorder Godchaux was in conference
yesterday with Mayor Phelan regarding
the charges made by two discharged
copyists, Frank Urmy and Mark Bartlett,
that they had lost their positions because
they had refused to contribute 80 to God
chaux' campaign fund. The Mayor de-
sired to ascertain If Godchaux had vio-
lated the charter by accepting money
from his subordinates. Godchaux proved
conclusively that he had personally not
received money for such a purpose he
filed the following communication with
the Mayor defending his position:
Mayor James d. Pheian-Dear Sir: Replying
to your letter OF November q, 1901. deny the
right Of the Civil Service Commission 10 IN
terfere in the management OF my oince. Inc
Supreme Court has decided that am not sub
ject to civil service. In refusing to abide by
this decision the commission forced my ONCE
decided as had the Supreme Court, that my
office was not civil service. feel, therefore,
justified In accepting the law OF my office from
the highest courts In the State rather than
from any commission.
Passing to the subject OF the affdavits 1
butte cent to anything whatever. or suggest
ed that any person In my Office should contrib,
81 90 was by any OF the deputies or copyists
in my. Office requested OF either Urmy or Bart
lett to help pay the salary Of messenger for
one month. do not know.
The Officers Charity Fund.
The charity fund of dollar a month was
voluntary arrangement made by the em-
ployes. ! was asked II | would contribdte
TO the fund and did so substantially. In
gard to contributions of deputies OF my CAM
paign. that. II done at all. was a matter Of
voluntary association among themselves.
one to speak to an employe on the subject
The statements about Mr.. Schiller and Mr..
Hayes are absolutely untrue. These men have
earned every cent they have received, as the
records OF my office clearly prove.
About the payment OF fee to an attorney
the Supreme Court had decided that my office aa.e
was not civil service. The Civil Service Com
Supreme Court as law, and was harrassing
and disturbing my office. Some OF the EN-
pioyes made arrangements 10 have the matter
contributed: but / never asked any empioye
to; TO contribute and never Instructed or author
contrary is wholly false.
discharged Mr.. Bartlett because ne wrote
me an insulting letter. / discharged Mr.
EDMOND GODCHAUX. County Recorder
Godchaux agreed to forbid the collec-
ton of money for a charitable fund in
his office. and the Mayor sums I'D the
case In the following findings:
, Findings of the Mayor.
do not want TO anticipate the action OF the
civil Service Compissioners they have
restoration OF the discharged employees. but
And that Recorder Godchaux has received no
money or other thing OF value from his en-
ployes. and that therefore he has not violated
the provisions Of the charter which forbids
any officer to accept any donation gratulty
In money or other valuable thing. either direct
~ or Indirectly, from any subordinate or en-
pIoye.'
There Is nothing In the charter 10 prevent
city employees from voluntarily contributing a
part of their salary for charity or legal ex-
penses. IL Is the element OF duress that the
charter seeks TO eliminate. Mr. Godchaux
shows that he was not personally the bene-
nciary or recipient OF any money. and that II
money was raised and expended for specified
purposes by the employees and dIsbursed by
them for such purposes. all he can do now Is
TO advise that hereafter not even fund for
charity be raised. and that each employe act
for himself in such matters and HIS own
responsibility.
l and that the chief copyist has not been
compensated In regular way He has been
paid out OF the earnings OF the Office by credit
ing him with folios. I have recommended to
the Board OF Supervisors to authorize the em-
ployment Of chief copyist and pay him the
balary Of Sl0O per month. which he now re-
ceives, out of the s23. 900 appropriated In the
budget for the services OF copysts. This VIII
not increase the number OF men nor increase
the cost OF the Office. but simply make the EN-
poyment and compensation regular.