The San Francisco call., 1910-09-15
OAKLAND OFFICIAL
FORCED TO RESIGN
w. B. Fawcett Is 0usted
As the Secretary Of
Works Board

OAKLAND, Sept. 14.-Walter B. F'aw-
cett, for eight years secretary of the
board of public works and police and
fire commissioners, has been compelled
management of his Office. The board of
public works accepted his resignation,
TO be Immediately effective, by adop-
tfon of a resolution this morning. the
same resolution declaring James w.
Nelson, retired business man and for
mer city councilman. Fawcetts sue
cessor.
The boards action was unexpected.
During several weeks that city expert
has investigated Fawcett's office the
commissioners made no indication of
the pending result. Fawcett was quiet
ly asked to resign, and his resignation
was submitted TO the board this morn
ing when routine work had been dis
posed Of
City Engineer F. c. Turner, a MEM
Der of the commission, then presented
this resolution, which was adopted
without discussions:
Whereas. Walter b. .Fawcett. as re-
quested. has resigned as secretary of
this board; therefore be it
by declared vacant; and be it further
Resolved, that such position shall
be and is hereby rendered to ]. w. Nell
SON."
That was all that was said. None of
the commissioners commented on or ex-
planned his vote. The board adjourned
Immediately, and the members left the
city hall. This afternoon all three dis
cussed their action, and all asserted
aaT "a n g
his position because of his unsatisfac-
tory conduct of his Office.
INATTENTIVE, SAYS MOTT
The reason for Fawcett's removal
was that he was inattentive to his
work, and did not keep up the stand
ards the administration requires said
Mayor Frank K. Mott, president of the
commission. There were rumors re-
ported to me after our meeting that his
accounts were wrong. That is incor-
rect. Fawcett was discharged for let
ting the affairs of his Office become
hopeiessly involved. The duties of the
commissioners have multiplied lately
by reason .of the cfty's growth, and
Fawcett did not keep pace. For long
time he has been absent from his Of
fee at frequent intervals. and recently
complaints from persons who could not
find him when business required have
increased"
In appointing Nelson TO the position,
the commissioners have sought bust
nessman, whose experience would
enable him to supervise the great
amount of book keeping necessary.
Commissioner Turner said:
The affairs of the secretary's Office
have for long time been unsatisfac-
tory. For one thing, the minutes of
meetings were not transcribed often
a.
missioners had occasion to refer to
them, they were obliged to have steno-
graphic notes read. Thus it came
about too that many important orders
were neglected The secretary we
held responsible, and having had City
Expert L. G. Jordan investigate the
records, we demanded Fawcetts resig-
nation"
REMOVAL FAVORED
Il favored Fawcetts removal" said
City Attorney Stetson, because 1 be-
lieve the interests of the city de-
manded another man in his place 1
am in favor of the appointment which
has been made. l understand that
Favcett's health is not good, and 1
advised him to resign from office
have personally not been satisfied with
his conduct OF his Office for some time,
and have frequently had occasion to
complain"
Nelson has informed the city Off
Gals that he will accept the secretary
ship. He has been a resident of Oak
land for about % years, having his
home at 1925 Linden street He was
elected city councilman from the third
ward in 1892, serving as president of
the council during his two years
term. Two years later he was NOM
mated by all parties for mayor, but
was defeated by John L. Davie by a
small majority.
He was for several years manager
of the Oakland branch of Tillman &
Bendel, and was employed for a long
citation at Third and Filbert streets.
On leaving that employment,>h took
an interest in an asparagus canning
enterprise on Bouldin island in the San
joaquin river. The heavy floods two
years ago caused him large financial
loss.
FAWCETT SILENT
Fawcett declined to comment on the
action OF the board Of public works.
Inasmuch as the commissioners freely
asserted that his financial affairs as a
public official were honorably conduct
ed, the deposed secretary said he pre-
ferred to let the matter pass without a
statement.
We discovered definitely yesterday
said Turner, that Fawcetts public
financial accounts were straight. we
made that investigation merely as q
precaution, not because we had sus-
picions Of dishonesty Fawcett is hon
est, we all know"