The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1910-02-17

COOK MAKES WARM.
REPLY TO fOSS
Denies Attempt to Disenfran.
cllise Berkeley Voters and
Defends New Plan

OAKLAND. Feb. 1e.-Chsrges made
-ast night by Supervisor Fred Foss of
Berkeley that County Clerk Cook was
using unfair methods in registering
voters, We're answered by statement
issued today by Cook. The charges
made by Foss took place at meet
ing al which the annexation OF Berke-
ley by Oakland was the theme sched-
uled for discussion.
Recently Cook announced thar he had
new plan for registration. He pro-
posed 10 hold meetings on scheduled
dates AT specified places throughout the
county for the purpose Of enrolling
voters instead Of appointing special
deputies TO serve for registration mr.
roses ln different parts Of the county.
lle said 10 the supervisors that his
work could be done more efficiently in
tnls way and al less expense.
REGISTRATION IN SPOTS
Cook would like it better If he. could
see the county registered ia spots.
rather than all over" declared Foss
last night He don't like the kind Of
voters we have In Berkeley. Last year
lc had special registration deputies in
Berkeley and we had a heavy registra-
t-on- This year there viii be no regis
rraJion deputies out here Cook viii
probably set three or four days on
which his deputies viii come out here
ana Tor the rest OF the time we viii
saVe TO go to Oakland or go without
our votes.
Cook is too able for the ordinary
man. The ordinary man can't keep
track Of him and be sure he isn't put
% al 81
didn't think he was exactly straight
toss went on 10 say that he had
found that a man named Bob johnson
had put In a. claim for 1872 for working
around the han OF records, whereas he
lad done huC very little if any work
The claim was allowed by the board of
gperAisors. Foss said. in spite Of his
protest and Cook had assisted in pass
irS III.
EXPLAINS NEW PLAN
Cook said today in answer:
1T is rather a hard matter TO prove
charges Of such wandering nature
About my scheme 10 disenfranchise the
voters Of Berkeley. I viii say that
have proposed the most complete sys-
tenn for The registration OF voters this
Tear that has yet been undertaken. I
have arranged in ali for u meetings
Wl-cn viii cover every election pre-
einct in the county OF these meetings
I'VE VIII be held IN various parts of
Berkeley. as follows: North Berkeley
south Berkeley. East Berkeley, West
Berkeley and Central Berkeley All
voters on the 1905 register will be mott
ned by postal card of these meetings
md they viii of course be advertised
in addition in the columns Of the press
'AF hile Mr.. FOss IS quoted as saying
tlat all who do not attend these meet
-ugs VIII be compelled 10 call at the
clerks Office TO register, lie knows such
statement 70 be entirely unjustihed.
rs 7 myself Informed him that would
designate al a later date q sufficient
number of outside deputies to cover
tie ground His statement that I wish
10 register the county only in spots is
not only untrue. but contemplate. 1
rhink the voters Of the county in all
parts OF il viii not require any more
tlan Hy assurance that every opportu-
nifty possible viii be afforded them TO
register.
SAW JOHNSON WORKING
"The johnson claim. Of which Mr.
Toss speaks, was for services alleged
TO have been rendered in cleaning the
Easement Of the hall Of records. 1 have
.hthine whatever TO do with his appoint
meul by the supervisors. but when Mr.
Toss. after little detective work, on
lis part. refused 10 audit the claim his
statements were 50 much at. variance
with those Of johnson and others, that
-.e was overruled by the board, and the
claim allowed did say on that coca
sion. and say nov, that were I called
upon TO testify in the matter I would
say that I frequently saw Mr.. Johnson
at work during the period for which he
claimed employment
These are the only matters in Mr..
Foss' over enthusiastic speech that I
think merit any answer. I trust, how
ever. In any future statements he may
have 10 make that he viii be fair
enough TO specify any charges ne may
lave To mai Ike SO that they may admit
II an equally specific answer. While
ar FOss may be entirely honest, he
should be careful not TO permit his
Judgment 10 be warped by a too mar
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