The San Francisco call., 1909-05-31
new JOB AFOOT TO
WASTECOUNTYCOIN
Colonel Herman Bendel Exposes
Scheme for Alameda County
Inirmary Buildings

OAKLAND. May 3o.-Colonel Herman
Bendel. foreman OF the recent grand
jury which went exhaustively into
county affairs. uncovering many petty
gratis. overcharges for materials. and
general worthlessness Of county ad-
ministration. in so far as the board
of supervisors was concerned. charges
that a new job is on foot to get rid
Of several hundred thousand dollars of
the tax payers money.
The scheme is comprehended in a
proposition TO construct a palatial sys-
TEN Of buildings for a county inhrm-
airy. Plans have been drawn, which
are in the hands Of Dr. W. A Clark,
superintendent of the inhrmary..
OTHER JOBS RECALLED
Through his connection with the
German-American league and other
civic organizations devoted to the
cause Of clean. government, Bendel has
kept in close touch with county ad-
ministrative affairs ever since he became
a grand juror. He has stamped this
latest movement upon the county treas
ury as in line with the stupendous job
Of the foothiIl boulevard, which cost
the county of Alameda $500 600, and IS
going to ruin so fast that the super
Vfsors are al their wits end to save it.
Likewise the county Jail graft, struc-
ture far from completed, which viii
cost upward. of S2O0.000. 1t is a note
rious fact that but for the determined
stand Of the former district attorney,
now Superior Judge Everett J. Brown.
the jail would have cost $4,000 to
$50. 600 more.
BUILDINGS NOT NECESSARY
Colonel Bendel says:
According 10 these purported plans,
the county would eXpend 100000 10
5000 600 for a mass Of structures that
look like q medieval barOn's castle,
and are as out Of place in themselves
for modern hospital uses as such
castle would be. But that is not the
worst feature Of what appears TO me
ike a scheme TO inaugUrate another
big raid on the county treasury. The
buildings are not necessary The
grand jury. Of which : had the honor
10 be foreman, made a thorough in
spection Of the infir-aary in all of its
appointments. We made certain rec
concentrations for minor improvements.
which would only cost a few thousand
dollars and would amply provide for
the needs Of the institution.
as a citizen who holds first hand
knowledge CT county affairs, to pro
test against the attempt to hoist an
other Job on the county. for. If any
thing ike the scheme to which 1 refer
IS attempted. il will be as gross a job
al that Of the foothill boulevard"
CLAIMS REMAIN UNPAID
Colonel Bendel also called attention
TO the report OF that grand jury in
which it was pointed out that prior 10
July I, 1908, claims against the county
Of Alameda amounting to between
S45000 and $4,000 were allowed. but
not paid because of lack of funds
Commenting on that the grand jury
said:
In our investigation of the expenses
or the county Of Alameda and many Of
the overcharges, we found that in many
instances those pvercharges resulted
from the fact that the parties who had
claims against the county were unable
70 collect from the county of Alameda
the same as they would from a private
individual In many instances parties
who rendered services to the county
had TO wait months for their money.
and. as above stated. numbers of them
have now been waiting over a year.
JURORS URGED FRUGALITY
This impairment OF the county's
credit should not be permitted. for the
reasons
'First-That the county of Alameda,
which is a rich county, should have q
reputation for paying its indebtedness
promptly: and
second-In order that the county Of
Alameda may receive a cheaper serv-
ice. the same as an individual who pays
his Indebtedness
we recommend, therefore, that the
board Of supervisors be as frugal as
possible, and lay aside enough money
so that after July !. 1909. all the pres
ent outstanding Indebtedness of the
county of Alameda may be paid"
Commenting. Colonel Bendel said:
You can not be frugal and clear up
this wretched financial condition by
even planning TO build palaces out of
the county funds. have no doubt
that the tax payers viii go TO the
courts and fight before they will per-
NIT such a project TO go through"