The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1908-02-25

10y GEORGE y. coTrERiLL.l
Amendments no. 3. No. IS, No "a
and No. 20.
Those relate 90 the board of pub.
ne works. provide for its increase
from three to five memhem, name
aud IN the duties OF the two add
tional members. viz. a hupcrintend.
eHl ~ buildings and a anperintends
ent Of public utilities. aud provide
for board Of appeals IN building
operations These amendments are
80 inter rotated that Il viii create
confusion unless all OF none of the
four are adopted They should
stand OF fall together and la ny
Judgment they are vice aud worthy
OF adoption.
No . deulKnateu the five depart.
mants Of the new board. via. the
city engineer. the superintendent Of
streets aud sewers. the Huperintend
eui uf lighting and water works
the superintendent OF buildings. aud
the superintendent of public ulili.
ties. the last Two being the add.
lions Ia the present board IL also
provides that the chairman OF the
board shall be- appointed annually
by the mayor AZ present the city
engineer IL - officin chairman.
No rs applies 10 the two new Of
fleera of the board the same prov.
ninnH a. To appointment by the
mayor. confirmation BY the city
council. aud a thrceyear term. az
IL nov provided for the original
three members
No. 10 pfuHerib.a the duties Of
the newly created position Of so.
paflninndent OF public utilities
briefly stated. they are as follows
Rigid enfofeeni OF all franchise OF.
d.aAncoa aud rules and regulations
OF the board Of public works relat.
ms 10 franchises, aupetintendunee
all franchise construction In citf
streets make written reeommen.
daiions 60 baard Of public sorka a.
- changes 90 bettafmeuta which
should be made Ia franchise equip
mrnin 40 "a To- secure public safe
= aud comfort. keep franchise rec.
ofda. piata Of public utilities IN
streets. sectional maps. etc. exam
lne and fopaft recommendation 10
beard of public works on all appli.
cations fur franchise construction.
consider ali applications made %
cts council for nsw franchises and
report thereon. with recommends
slona. Ia writing. have control. un.
der complete civil services rvEuls.
tons. OF all employees In his depart.
uant FIRST appointment 10 be
made ou April Let. isok. 90 expire
December alsi. 1903. snd fall three.
year tern thereafter. This last
provision shows more than trace
Of partisan politics. which n Of
minuf consequence. compared with
The great possibilities Of benefit in
the entire proposition This pub.
tic officer. doing his inii duty 60 the
gzsaple. can accomplish more OF
good IN the Saf Of adequate ssrF.
lee from the various franchise pub
lie utility corporations. than can be
explained IN the space At my com.
maHd II IL field Of public Herx
ice being assisted upon IN practical.
- every state and great city la our
country; u Is TO very large ex
tent the result Of the awakened
public recognition aud inNlstenee
upon public rights. led b. President
Roosevelt. IN the demand for ia.
creased powers 90 the interstate
commerce commission. aud Ia the
various states by Increased power
90 railroad commissions and tire
creation OF corporation commits.
siuua aud boards of public utilities
Seattle should have this new de
paftmeut. and demand a high
standard 81 efficiency ana energy
ia It's application II will not IN.
xuiva any considerable increase Of
public expense. ~ q lsrre part Of
the routine work and the necessary
employees are already In service
under tho franchise Inspector" Ia