The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-02-02
POLLOK CONDEMNS
BOARD OF WORKS
Supervisor Asks Mayor to Take
Commission to Task for
Its Lax Methods
Discussion Arose Over DepIor-
able Condition of Sacra-
mentO Street

Mayor and supervisors FLASHED bit
terry at yesterdays board meeting
over matters OF financial management
Pollok Of the finance committee had
charged gross negligence on the part
OF the board Of works in allowing the
gas company TO keep Sacramento
street between Montgomery and
hearny torn up and impossible for
six MONTHS. In a formal resolution he
called upon the chief executive to take
his commission 10 task, and DR.. Tay-
Tor in the chair observed that a simple
letter 10 his Office would have been
The proper course
Pollok returned to the charge brisk
ly. Your honor he said, some
weeks ago on the important matter Of
the pipe contract for the fire protec-
tfon system we asked for action and
Information and we are waiting yet.
7 propose TO make this complaint as
formal and public as I please"
II furnished that Information IN
detail said DR.. Taylor.
Il never heard Of it" returned Pol
lok. and as a member of the finance
committee"
The chairman Of that committee"
said the mayor with some warmth,
was given a statement in detail Of
what the board of works planned"
Il did not get any statement in de-
what mysufied. president Day of
the works board and your honor did
inform me that Commissioner McGil-
vray would have charge of the ship
ping and receipt of. the pipe, and that's
an the information that's been given
me"
Murphy, the third member Of the
finance committee, put an end TO the
unpleasantness by moving that PollOk's
resolution be referred 10 the commit
tee of the whole and taken up when
the gas rate Investigation begins next
week. This the board members thank
fully agreed to and adjourned.
CONDEMNS BOARD OF WORKS
Pollok in the wide sweep Of his cen
sure condemned not only the works
board for inefficiency and laxness, but
The city engineer and his first assist
amt Having opposed the boards ma
5ority during the progress Of the Hetch
Hetchy matter, his reference TO En-
gineer Manson's present trip 10 WASH
ngtOn-yesterday rewarded with the
congressional committees favorable re-
port on the city's grant-as the eNpedi-
riOn Of a political engineer was
hardly unexpected, but Johnston, head
Of the water committee, rose TO the
defense Of the absent executive officer.
Mr.. Manson performed a signal
service for this community" said john
POllOks reference 10 the recent at
tack on Assistant Engineer COnick as
putting that young man on the de-
fensiVe" provoked Murdoch to retort
that he had known COnick all his life
and his family before him, that he was
made Of the right metal and had served
the city Well
still another matter raised a breeze
when RixfOrd. chairman Of the build
ing committee, after City Architect
Tharps letter had been read declaring
the mayor and the other officials
housed in the city hall to be in. immi-
uent danger, calmly moved that the
matter be laid over another week.
We'll. for g matter Of eXigency, said
Mayor Taylor caustically. If this is not
about rhev-I suppose we must continue
To- take chances"
NEW QUARTERS URGED
Connolly was later bent on authoriz-
ing the mayor and the committee to get
quarters before the boards next meet
ing. but Rtxford, after being called up
Tor an irnpromptu confessional al the
mayors chair thought better Of his de-
sire for delay and announced that d. o.
Mills had gratuitOusly offered the use
OF rooms 56l-563 in the Mills building
f0r the mayors temporary use. This
offer the board accepted with thanks,
and the works board was directed 10
transfer the Office equipment imme-
dfatelv TO Montgomery street. McLeran
and Bancroft. taking matters into their
own hands, attempted 10 get quarters
for the treasurer and the auditor at the
First national bank and other buildings
yesterday, but reached no agreement.
They viii enoeayOr TO close the matter
today They will also try TO house the
election commission in the vicinity of
Van Ness avenue.
FrxrrrUC Nrnur
The board unanimously rejected the
proposition Of extending the fire limits
leyond Van Ness avenue to Franklin
street, and also refused to change the
proposed location Of the planned San
Francisco hospital from the old Potrero
avenue site.
The board viii tonight begin the in
vestigation to fix water rates, but yes
terday granted Attorney McCutchen's
request for Eve more days in which to
file supplementary statements. The bill
for street franchise over the Amazon
tract was returned to committee for
corrections; and the nickel in the slot
machine ordinance was also returned
for further consideration. Adolph Las
sell. speaking for the machine owners.
tried TO make point by stating that
the appellate court had declared the
machines not a gambling device" but
Supervisor Comte took the spirit out
OF the remark by retorting that the
same high authority has declared poker
not a gambling game"
The Abbitt construction company and
the City construction company were
granted permits TO blast with dynamite
IN the ruins Of the city hall yesterday
fn bills passed to print, Broderick, Nc
Leran and Comte voting in the mega
tive.