The San Francisco call., 1907-06-20
Conspiracy in
Health Board
Is Uncovered
Contributions to the
Support Of Abe
Ruef's Friend
Officials May Be
Deposed by Grand Jury

There has just come TO the knowt-
edge of the grand jury details of COM
binat tion which existed between Louis
Levy, while he was secretary OF the
board of health, Chief Sanitary ln-
spector William c. Hassler, City Bac-
teriologist r. G Carney and Toxicolo-
gist A. c. Bottle, whereby the three last
named employees of the board con-
tributed monthly pot to make up
Levys salary while that stipend was
held up by the courts pending decision
on the secretary's illegal appointment
AS a result of the disclosure. actions
may be brought to have Levy, Hassler,
Canney and Bottle removed from the
offices they now occupy and disqualified
from holding municipal positions here
after. s
Levy Is now secretary of the board
of works. but the other men in the
alleged conspiracy, which was Matched
by Abe Ruef and DIR. James W. Ward,
president of the board still hold their
posts under the health department. As
Ward is said to be responsible for the
condition of the contributions he may
be disqualified from holding Office
again.
Levy was appointed secretary to the
board of health by the Ruef-Schmitz
machine in 1904. James A. Emery, the
civil service appointee to the place,
having been removed to make room for
the Ruef follower. Levy's salary was
$3.50 a month, but he did not draw it
long, for Emery contested the appoint
ment and restrained the auditor from
honoring Levy's demand Subsequently
Judge Sloss ruled that Levy was not
legally selected.
Pending the courts decision Levy
held the place and worked ostensibly
for love of country and of Ruef Now
it develops that his patriotism and his
loyalty were not so great as that. When
his salary was tied up Levy went to
Ward and Ruef and demanded that
something tangible be done. The presi-
dent of the health board and the boss
framed up a scheme which hurt not
themselves, but the tax payers. They
decided that Hassler, Bottle and Carney
must pay for Levy's salary out of their
own, and in order to impose no great
hardship on the three they raised each
mans salary by as much as he had
to contribute TO make up Levy's allow
ance. This gratuity went on until the
grand jury of which T. p Andrews was
foreman began an investigation Bottle
Hassler and Carney were summoned to
appear and explain Levy's rake off
Bottle did not fancy perjuring himself
for Levy or Ward, and he told Ward
that he would tell the grand jury the
truth of the salary conspiracy Ward
forestalled the exposure by personally
paying back to Bottle what the toxi-
cologist had given-s420; then the
board cut Bothes salary to 500 a
month to show that he could not
trifie with the majesty of the Ruef
machine. Hassler and Canney's wage
fattened. until now the sanitary in
spector draws $685. a month and the.
bacteriologist 5000.
The charter provision under which
Hassler, Canney and Bottle may be re-
moved and disqualified is as follows:
Section Z. article 16, chapter on miscella-
neous No officer or employe of the city and
other person any portion of his compensation
or any money, or valuable thing, in consideration
OF having been or of heng nominated ap-
pointed, voted for. elected TO any office or
employment and IL any such promise or gift
be made, the person making such gift or prom
be forever debarred and disqualified from being
elected, appointed employed in the service
of the city and county.
Levy may be punished under the pro-
visions of section of the same article,
which says:
Any officer OF the city and county who
shall while in office. accept any donation or
gratuity In money or other valuable thing
either directly or Indirectly from any sub
ordinate employe, from any candidate
or applicant for any position employe or
subordinate under him, shall forfeit his office
and be forever debarred and disqualified from
holding any position in the service of the city
and county.