The San Francisco call., 1904-12-06

AAASAhOCio VI the DOQy NcIC PACSCht.
Wakefield Baker, F. H. Kilduff and NJ.
j.. o Brien are out Of town, and the
other absentees were: ]. w. Carmany,
Charles w. Welch and I. Zellerbach.
In the report of the majority, Jurors
Maurice Levy and George Purlenky
TOOK exceptions to the portion referring
TO the Mayors not having taken cog
nlzance of the actions of certain of his
commissioners. Theodore Bonnet, Will
liam Broderick and James c. Nealon
dissented from the comments on the
Assessor without wishing to lmpugn
the honesty of his official acts. Those
who concurred in all of the report
were; Foreman Alfred Lilienfeld,
CHARLES A. McLane. Milton H. v Esberg,
Maurice. Block and Otto Jungblut.
The major report found that certain
commissioners were engaged in prac-
tlces not consistent with a high sense
or civic duty and cited that one Po-
lice Commissioner was in the insurance
business, with the bulk of his income
derived from saloon-keepers, and an
other in the cigar business getting
portion of his income from the same
source. The Election Commissioners,
the report declares, were criminally
negligent in the performance of their
duties and with criminal intent they
violated the laws; that gross frauds
were perpetrated at the August pri-
maries and that the election machin-
cry vas handled in manner most dis
creditable.
The jury believes that there is room
tor great improvement in the Board of
Public Works. 1t is thought that the
question of the right of the School
Board to the expenditure of public
school money should be judicially de-
termined.
POLICE INADEQUATE.
The jurors say they are impressed
with the necessity of removing the
Follce Department from the influence
or political masters, and recommend
the election of four Police Commits
sioners by the Superior Judges. The
police force is said to be entirely in
adequate, and the employment of one
hundred more patrolmen is recon-
mended
1t is urged that the School Depart
ment provide fire escapes and fire
alarm systems for all the buildings.
The Public Library is said to need
more light and room.
In the report there are various de-
grees of praise for the Assessor,
Health Department Board of Super-
vlsors, Tax Collector, CITY Attorney.
Golden Gate Park, County Clerk,
Sheriff. st. GATHERINGS Home and the
District Attorney. 1t is recommended
that the latter be permitted to employ
three detectives for use in his office.
One of the minority reports was
filed by DIR. George 1. Drucker, as
chairman of the committee on public
welfare. His first recommendation
is that the presiding Judge especially
direct future grand jurors not to
communicate any of the proceedings
of Grand Jury to any one connected
with a newspaper.
An amendment to the laws is sug-
gested whereby it will hereafter be
impossible for citizens who have held
partisan offices to become members of
grand juries. Political partisanship
of members is said to have tinged
their actions, and as an example the
report instances the accusation
brought against the Election Com
missioners as a concession to undue
influence and to political prejudices."
1t is declared that the attacks of the
press and this jury upon Mayor
Schmitz and his appointees ARE en-
tirely unjustif1ed and wholly without
foundation"
The report finds that the County
Hospital and Almshouse are crowded
and the cutting down of appropria-
tions by the Supervisors for these in
stitutions is characterized as the re-
suit of antagonism to other depart
ments and monstrous act, which
leaves the sick and poor to die un-
cared for.
FOR FUTURE JURY.
The report says that in Chinatown it
is apparent that the laws against gam
bling are being constantly violated, and
ii is safe to believe that the stories rel
ative to payment for protection are
true. Further investigation is recon-
mended. The social evil is discussed,
and the committee believes that if
brothels must exist they would be much
better in Chinatown than in many of
the locations where they now exist.
The other minority report was offered
by James G. Nealon and is criticism
of the Assessors office, with mo desire
to find fault with individuals or cor
porations."
Mr.. Nealon declares that it is well
known that real estate values in this
city are not subject to violent f1uctua-
tions; that this is not boom town.
that the value of realty is rising in a
safe and sane ratio. He then discusses
the assessments of several large and
well-known properties for the years
1902-03-04, and refers to the changing
values of the Palace Hotel corner, be-
longing to the Sharon estate, as "scan-
dalously volatile conduct He says
that if the values as assessed in 1904
are a criterion for last year, then the
Phelan- Sullivan estate paid taxes on
81, 1S6,990 less last year than this, the
Parrott estate $S39. .730 less and the
Sharon estate 1897, $50 less. In the ten
pages Of his report many other assess
ments are mentioned, and he concludes
by saying: IF we combine the work of
a physician with large and lucrative
mr. wit he Ork nf q Acc
in a large and growing city, it is nat
ural to presume that the public busi-
ness may suffer" He recommends that
steps be taken to amend or enforce the
law so every official Of the city and
county will give his entire time to the
duties of his office.