Evening journal., 1907-08-08
MAYOR WILSON
WANTS TO KNOW
Insists Upon Having Proceed
ingS Of City Departments
Submitted to Him
CONDUCT INQUIRY
If NECESSARY

IF NECESSAkI
Mayor Horace Wilson is keeping tab
on the doings Of the various citv de-
partments. and yesterday afternoon. at
the first meeting Of the City Executive
Board to which reporters were ad-
mitted, the mayor insisted upon hav-
Ing detailed information Of the meet
ings OF the Street and Sewer Directors
ana Of the Water Commissioners sub
mitted TO him as soon as possible after
each meeting Aside from the MAYOR
the other members CT the Executive
Board present were James 3. Clarkson.
president Of the Police Commission;
Thomas II. Melvin. president Of the
Street and Sewer Board, and DR.. Evan
G. Shortlidge, president of the Board
Of Education. DR.. Harrison w. Howell.
president Of the Board Of Health was
detained by a professional engagement.
and arrived just as the board ad-
iourned.
Earlier this week Mayor Wilson sent
formal letter 20 the Water Commits
sioners requesting a verbatim record
Of their proceedings as soon as possible
after each meeting. Action was de-
ferred for a week by the commission
ers, as President Shaw was absent.
On Tuesday the mayor sent a similar
letter TO the Street and Sewer Board
and that body deferred action untfl
Mayor Wilson could be conferred with
about the subject. the directors being
OF the impression that it would neces-
state the employment Of another per-
son to fulfil the mayors wishes.
Before Executive Board
The subject came up before the Ex-
ecutive Board yesterday afternoon. and
Mayor Wilson left no doubt that he de-
sired the information he asked for. He
pointed out that many papers and con-
tracts involving the city TO a greater
or less extent came 10 him from the
Street Department and the Water De-
partment requiring his signature be-
fore they could bind the city. The
mayor said he desired a record OF the
proceedings Of each department as
soon as possible, so he could be inform
/ ed Of what they were doing and thus
be able to act inteliigently on the
papers or contracts requiring his sig
nature when they came to him. AS il
now Is Mayor Wilson said that on re-
ceiving the municipal contracts or
other papers requiring his signature he
has to ask for the proceedings and au-
lthority Of the board involved before he
| can go further and then has to submit
the papers to the city solicitor for his
approval. This causes a delay and
the mayor thought that by having the
proceedings Of each department soon
after the meetings. this delay would be
obviated.
/ Mr.. Clarkson asked whether there
was any specific law under which the
mayor was acting TO get the informa-
tion, and the mayor had the following
read:
Mayor Quotes the Law
"For the purpose OF enforcing the
faithful execution Of said laws and or
dinances and of obtaining any infor-
nation concerning matters affecting
the municipality the mayor shall have
power and authority. in any inquiry.
or investigation which he may insti-
tute. to compel the attendance of wit
Inesses and the production of necessary
books and papers at any time and place
within the city he may designate He
may issue subpoenas and attachments
signed by himself to compel the at
tendance of such witnesses and the
production of any and all such books
and papers which such subpoenas and
attachments shall be served and execut-
ed by any police officer of the city. If
any person so summoned as a witness
shall refuse 10 testify TO any facts
within his knowledge or TO produce the
books in his custody or possession, or
under his control required In such in
quiry or investigation the Mayor shall
have power 20 commit such witness for
contempt All witnesses in any such
Inquiry or investigation shall be exam
ined under oath to be administered by
the mayor and any false answer or
statement made under oath by any
such witness at such inquiry or inves-
tigation shall be deemed perjury and
shall be punished accordingly"
Will Get Information
Mr.. Clarkson observed that this APP
piled only to inquiries or investigations
started by the mayor. but Mayor VIII
son said he thought it would apply gen.
orally and If It didn't he could conduct
two inquiries a week If that is the only
way he could get transcripts of pro-
ceedings of the departments
Mr. Melvin explained that the Street
land Sewer Directors did not feel that
they could comply with the mayors re-
lquest without getting additional helI
to prepare and furnish the transcript
desired. He assured the mayor thai
the report of the proceedings would b'
Submitted as soon as possible after
each meeting.
Mayor Wilson told Mr.. Clarkson III
ldid not care for a report OF the Police
lCoun1ission meetings at this time.