Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-15
County Officers Criticised

had been injured after he had been
taken to Jail, but the evident collusion
of many witnesses to protect the police
department made 1t impossible for the
blame to be fixed on any one indi-
vidual. The chief of police is re-
quested to be more stringent in the
enforcement of the regulations pro-
hibiting officers from abusing prison.
ers. 1t is recommended that visitors
to the receiving hospital be compelled
to use the Hill street entrance instead
of going through the jail, to eliminate
any possible interference with the
handling of prisoners.
NEW JAIL
A new Jail is recommended for Cat
alma at q cost of $4,000. the grand jury
finding that the present structure is so
far on the outskirts of the town that
the officers try to avoid rather than
arrest dellnquents, fearing assault
while taking their prisoners to the
lonely place.
The San Pedro, Long Beach, Comp
ton, Pasadena, Pomona, San Fernando.
Sawtelle and Azusa Jails were found
In good condition.
The Santa Monica Jail was found
to be unsatisfactory, the cells being
below the street level and badly ven
tilated and lighted. The Burbank jail
Is characterized as a disgrace to the
county and should be corrected by the
supervisors. The Whittier Jail was
found to be farce. 1t is used as a
hardware store and has a conspicuous
sign, Keep Out" on the door.
The Newhall Jail was found to be
the worst inspected by the grand jury,
which reports that sanitary conditions
are filthy and the place inadequate.
The supervisors are asked to discipline
the constable for permitting 1t to be-
come in such bad condition. Covina
Jail was also found to be very badly
kept.
COTTAGE SYSTEM
The cottage system is commended in
the new buildings at the Whittier
school, and suggestions are made re-
garding the plastering and repair work
on some of the buildings. All new
buildings are recommended to conform
to the cottage system. The mixing of
the younger boys with older inmates of
the school is believed to be an influence
not for their good, and this point Is
emphasized. A new lighting plant is
also recommended. The trustees are
asked to make efforts to secure an ap-
preparation from the legislature for
the improvements suggested.
In view of the fact that a new de-
tention home is to be erected. the old
place on North Main street is passed
over lightly.
The work at the parental home is
commended, and it is suggested that
arrangements be made for the boys to
be placed on ranches after their period
of detention is over. A better system
of lighting and ventilation is also sug
gested.
The work of the surveyors office was
found to be capably conducted in spite
OF the great increase in the work of
this department.
The tax collectors office is also
presented with bouquet, the grand
jury declaring that although the busi-
ness of the office has been very large
the tax collector has kept pace with
the growth of his office in all respects.
COUNTY TREASURER
The work of the county treasurer's
office was found to have been con-
Quoted satisfactorily with the exception
of the payment of a larger number OF
demands and warrants lacking proper
Endorsement The report says:
"In the early days of Los Angeles
county, when fees paid to the various
county offices were comparatively
small, the fee system prevailed, but
with the rapid growth of population
and business the rates in fees increased
to such figure that the perquiSitieS of
the recorder and sheriff amounted to
many thousands OF dollars. AS modern
methods prevailed salaries were sub
stituted in some of the offices for the
fee system.
"At present the following officers are
still legally entitled to retain certain
fes in addition to their salaries. They
are the sheriff, recorder treasurer,
Justices of the peace and constables.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1--WE particularly and emphatically
condemn the fee system. 1t is, in our
opinion, pernicious and results in
abuses on the part of constables and
justices of the peace, especially con-
stables, whose income in this office,
while derived through fees, is limited
to $100 a month. This fact inspires them
to excessive and unjust zeal in making
arrests until such time in the month
as their fees reach $100, after which
they become Indifferent. We particu-
larly call the attention of the authorl-
ties to the fact that constables often
bring prisoners to justice of the peace
at the greatest distance from the place
of arrest, instead Of bringing them to
the nearest justice. This is done
through a selfish motive by the consta-
BILE, who derives a benefit through mile
age. We recommend that at the earli-
est possible date some action be taken
to abolish the system of these officers
deriving a personal benefit through the
fees in this and other offices of the
county, by placing them on salary |
sufficient for them properly to maintain
their Offices"
The grand jury also called attention |
to the fact that except in two or three |
instances a certain percentage of the |
gross receipts of companies granted |
franchises for the use of streets had |
not been paid as required by law. This
relates to companies using poles for
electric light and railway systems. The |
grand jury has instructed the district