Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-06
KERN NAMED
FOR BOARD OF
PUBLIC WORKS
MAYORS PROGRAM is CON-
FiRMED BY COUNCIL
ALL PRESENT VOTE "AYE" ON
HARPER's CHOICE
Machinery, Smoothly Oiled, Makes No
Hitch and Former Police Chief
Realizes His AM
bition

With the smoothness of we'll oiled
machinery the mayors program for the
appointment of Chief of Police Edward
Kern to the board of public works went
through the council yesterday morning.
There was not a. hitch in his confirma-
ton. Every member of the council
present, including Councilmen Pease
and Wren, who had been expected to
oppose the confirmation, voted aye"
Councilman Wallace was opposed to
Kern's confirmation, but was detained
at home by illness Had he been able
TO appear in the council it is certain he
would have made a speech against
Kern's appointment, for his sentiments
are well known. He sent a message to
the council asking that his vote be cast
against Kern by proxy, but as there is
no provision for proxy votes of the
councilmen this could not legally be
done
The affirmative votes of Pease and
Wren were a surprise, even their own
colleagues scarcely expecting support
from them.
Wren explained that he had little per-
sOnal preference in the matter, but that
he had consulted eighteen prominent
business men in his ward and sixteen
of them had declared for Kern PeaSe
believes Kern will make a, good man on
the board of public works and he
tory to the other members of the
council.
Edwards Honored
The council hOnored D. K. Edwards,
the retiring member of the board Of
public works whose place Kern takes.
with vote Of appreciation for his ex-
cellent work during the three years of
his incumbency. The vote Of apprecia-
ton was as unanimous as the vote to
confirm Mr. Kern. Mr. Edwards has
not done politics during his term of
office, and as a result several MEM
berS of the council are not his friends,
but all had to acknowledge that he had
been honest and efficient in the conduct
of his office.
Mr.. Kern has had more or less ex-
perience in the position he will occupy.
He was president of the board of public
works under the McAleer administra-
ton when the board of public works
was a council committee and not an
pointed for a four years's term as is the
case under the charter amendment pro-
Viding for the board. The work has
grown greatly since he had anything
to do with it and many duties have
been placed on the shoulders Of the
board that were not thought Of when
he was president of the old council
committee.
Pass Resolutions
At q special session during the morn
ing the police commission received and
accepted the resignation of Chief Kern,
with deep regret. At the regular SEES
sion in the afternoon the police commits
sion adopted the following resolutions
commencing the mayors choice in ap-
pointing Mr.. Kern to the board:
Whereas, the board of police commission
ers in special session held this day accepted
the resignation of Edward Kern as chief of
police OF the city of Los Angeles; and
Whereas, said resignation was accepted
with reluctancy, and for the only reason
that Mayor Harper in his wise judgment
has seen fit, for the welfare Of the city,
promoted him to higher position, that Of
member Of the board of public works re-
quiring great responsibility, integrity, energy
and honesty; and
Whereas, this commission feels that Ed
ward Kern has by his untirng efforts and
discipline proven the most capable, efficient
and careful chief this city has ever had;
Therefore be it resolved by the board of
police commissioners of the city of Los An
geles now in regular session, that we con-
graduate Mayor Harper on his choice, the
honorable city council its unanimous
confirmation, Edward Kern on receiving said
appointment, and TIE city of Los Angeles on
securing the services of such an able and
competent public servant; be it further
Resolved, that copy of this resolution be
spread in full upon the minutes of the
Kern.
At the afternoon session of the coun-
Gil Kern's bond in the sum of $4,000
with the American Surety company's
guarantee was approved.