The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, July 10, 1896, Page 8

8 THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1896. MERCHANTS TAKE UP THE TAX LEWY, The Association Looks Into the City’s Business Affairs. MONEY CAN BE SAVED. An Estimate of Appropriations That Would Leave a Surplus. PUBLIC SCHOOLS NOT REDUCED. Big Cuts Can Well Be Made in Nearly All of the Other Municipal Departments. An important meeting of the Merchants’ Association was held yesterday, the fol- lowing directors beinz present: F. W. Dohrmann, A. S. Baldwin, Charles Bund- schu, James 8, Conwell, W. G. Doane, Witliam Doxey, A. Fusenot, Hugo D. K Manired 8. Kohlberg, Henry Michaels, R. F. Osborn, M. A. Rothchild, Joseph Simonson, Vsnderlynn Stow and Frank A, Swain, and J. Richard Freud as secretary. The date of the convention for the adop- tion of the new charter was fixed for Wednesday, August 5, in the assembly hall of the Mills building. There will be delegates from all the improvement clubs of the City, and the convention promises to be of a most representative character. | It will be called to order at 8 o’clock in the evening It was decided by the board to send five | | demonstrate that this office can be conducted delegates to the convention of improve- ment clubs as follows: Messrs, Charles Bundschu, James 8. Conwell and M. A. Rotichild from the board of directors and Me M. H. Hecht and G. H. Umbsen from the members at large. The ifollowing sixty-five firms were elected to membership, making the total of the association 570, Levison Bros.; Ahvel ward P. Aliis Company Buder & Fiucke; Fra Bruckman; The Ed- hton & Gardine : 1. E. Cla J. M. Curtis pster Fisher Pac don & Co.;° J. F. Aime Giry: Golden Gate Woo ing Company; beum, Weil & M ugazi ) olen Manufactu & Son; Halla A. L Hall Hay: it i Wrigh 2, inger Mort Hepburn & Co.; F. Hil- Faul K Kittie & Co.; Louis Kline w. Lowry & C tewart Menzies & eyerfield, Mitchell & Lewis Me; Life Insurance achinery Compa: cisco Business College; San Francisco lron Works; Jonas Schoenfeld; Seegelken & Buck- s. & Plagemann; Smedberg & San Fran- 8nook & Co. : John F. Snow J. St. Deufs & Co.; Tatum & Bowen; Charles M. Volkman; William Walker: 8ol Wangenheim & Co.; Welch & C Willard Bros.; Wolters Bros. & Co. The most important matter was the con- sideration of the rax levy for 1896-7, The committee upon public affairs to whom this subject was referred at tne previous meeting is composed of well-known busi- ness men and they gave much time and attention to it. Their report was exhaus- tive, and by its contents it was shown that tne affairsof the City can be carried on in a creditable manner if the levy is 97 cents on the §100 instead of $1 5614, as 1t was last fiscal year, a matter of no small importance to every one who holds prop- erty in San Francisco. In order to prove the truth of their as- | sertions the committeemen presented an estimate of municipal expenditures for the year, arranged by departments, After discussing the report for several hours the directors registered their in- | dorsement and directed the secretary to send the report to the Board of Super- visors. The report is as follows: To the President and Board of Directors of the Merchants’ Association—GENTLEMEN: Your com- mittee upon public affairs herewith submi its special report upon the tax levy for the en- suing fiscal year beginning July ‘1, 1896, and ending June 30, 1897. A careful examination of the appropriations for the City Government during the past fiscal years, as well as the present requirements of the municipality, has resulted in the preparation of the list of esti- mated appropriations herewith annexed. The total of these appropriations for the ensuing fiscal year amounts 10 $4,945,605. The Auditor estimates the revenue of the City outside of taxation at $1,452,580. The Assessor has re- turned his assessed valuation ol all real and personal property at $360,326,031. = Therefore & tax rate of $1 on the $100 assessed valuation wou'd give the City a revenue from taxation of $3,603,260. This amount, together with the Tevenue from other sources, will give a total income of $5,055,840. Comnsequent!y our esti- mated list of expenditures for 189697 would leave & surplus of §110,235 on a tax rate of $1 on the $100 assessed valuation. In explana- tion of the appropriations set forth in the ac- companying list we beg leave to submit tne following comments and conclusfons: unicipal expenses.— Municipal expenses should be diviaed into two dl!l?n‘ct and sepa- rate heads. First, current expenses, compris- ing those expenditures necessary for the main- tenarce and conduct of the City Government; second, extraordinary expenses, comprising those expenditures riecessary for permanent improvements. Under the head of current ex- penses may be grouped salaries, supplies, re- pairs, renewals, utilities, such as gas, water and electricity; educational matters,” police and fire protection, public health, including street sweeping, and cases of urgency. Current expenses.—The foregoing divisions of current expenses embrace all matters per- taining to the operation and maintenance of the City Government. The expenditures neces- sary for these current requirements of the City shouid be paid out of the yearly income of the City srisiug from general taxation and reve. nue from other sources. These current ex- penses of the City Government, therefore, form & correct part of the annual taxlevy, and we helleve sufficicnt appropriations to meet them have been made in the table of expenditures herewith submitted. Extraordinary expenses—On the other hand, extraordinary expenses are for necessary pub- lic improvements of a permanent nature, such as & new and perfecied sewer system, general repaving of the streets, park improve- menison a large scale, ownership of water, ges, and electric light; telephone, telegrapn, stréet railways and other public franchises. Tnese valuable improvements and aequisi- tions require large outlays of money. They are naturally as much if not more beneficial 1o posterity than to the present taxpayers of the City. They should not, therefore, be lev- jed wholly upon the taxpayers of to-day. These expenditures should be extended over s number of years, 50 that the future may juste 1y bear a portion of the expense. Bonding the City—The constitution of Cal- fornia provides for such permanent lmwn— ments by enabling the City to issue bonds covering a period of forty years. The charter of San Francisco will' furnish s e method ana the necessary machinery for carrying out these great public improvements. It will thus encotirage the citizens and tax. payers of the City to vote for the early issu- ance of bouds for these purposes. Our estimales—The estimates herewith sub- mitted nave been carefully and impartially cal- culated. Itis believed they are liberaland fair estimates of the limit of expenditures in each department. No doubt in many instances fur- ther reductions could mede without im- pairing the public service. It will not be necessary to take up each item separately, but your committee deems it advisable to explain . Grace & Co.; Greene- | the general nature of the reductions, and in these cases where they are exceptional or large to make special comment thereon. Salaries—During the past fiscal year $2,656,- 000 was paid in salaries by the City. uet- ing from this amount $900,000 for teachers in the public schools, 000 for the police foree, $332,000 for firemen, $104,000 for labor in Golden Gate Park and $42,000 for labor on the publie streets, there still remains £675,000 as the salaries paid to officials and clerks in the City government. Clerks—An impartial examination of the various departments will clearly show that in many of them more clerks are employed than are really necessary. In some cases clerks are engaged in services of no precise value to the City, while in other cases several clerks are §orming the services that one clerk might well do. _Reductions—It is safe to say that a reason- able reduction in the number of clerks, as well as in the rate of compensation, would save the City, without impairment of service, at least $150,000 per annum. Although the Legislature has in some departments provided a maximum number of clerks and their com- pensation, it is not mandatory on the heads of departmants to reach the maximum. Due re- zard for the welfare of the taxpayers of the City should prompt them to engage no more clerks and pay no higher compensation than actually necessary to perform the duties of their respective departments. sugpnes—Acoording to the Auditor’s figures in the municipal reports of the past fiscal year, $352,000 was paid for supplies and material for the City government. As a rule, it may be asserted that the City does not buy its supplies and material at the lowest market prices accorded to & large consumer, partly perhaps because bills of the City are mnot always paid, or paid promptly. Judieions pur- chasing of supplies and material for the de- partments of the City government would save the City, we believe, fully §$75, per annum. A proper system of surchlslnx su’ppne- and material should be adopted. One faitnful of- ficer apvointed to specially superintend the purchase of all supplies for the City would effect considerable saving, as well as insure the superior guality of all Fl\pfl.les furnished. Courts and law Gepartment—in the expendi- tures in this department a reasonable saviug can be made by having the collection of de- linguent taxes performed by the attorney and counselor’s office. The expense of reporters in crimina! cases has more than doubled within the last few years. Previous to the past fiscal year the total expense of these reporters was £25,000 or less per annum. We are credibiy informed that the charge for these services should not now exceed $25,000, and undoubt- edly with the co-operation of the Judges of the various criminal courts this amount will be found sufficient for the purpose. The other slight reductions made in these departments we believe are fully warranted. General departments—The reduciions made in these departments from the appropriations of lastyear are based upon & comparison with jormer vears and the present requirements. The greatest reductions are made in the offices of the County Clerk, the License Colie¢tor and the Recorder. The County Cierk's office was conducted for $72,097 in the fiscal yi 1889-90. We belleve that $6000 per month is ample tor the conduct of this office. The ap- propriation for the License Collector in the years 189394 and 1894-95 was §23,800. A careful management of this office will prove that It can be suceessfully operated 1not ex. cceding $25,000 per annum. An examination of the work required of the Recorder will also for $31,500, which is the amount fixed by the Finance Committee of the Board of Super- visors. Thi =iso true of the Tax Collector's office; especielly as considerable work hereto- fore performed by his office has been trans- ferred to the Assessor’s department, Fire Department—A special appropriation was made in the past fiscal year amounting to $201,000 for necessary apparatus, hose and houses. The expenditure oi this large amount should make it possible during the coming fis. cal year to reduce the expenditures for these iteas from $139,000 to $100,000. Health Department—7his is the only de- partment in which we have found an increase of expenditure advisable. It has been demon- strated by the Board of Health that with a slight additional appropristion certain neces- ry improvements in the Health Department of the City can be effected. A number of com- petent inspectors appears to be necessary. We therefore recommend that_last year's appro- priation for the Health Depariment be in- creased o $41,000. The City should certainly have a beiter ambulance system; and we therefore recoramend that two modern ambue Jan: be purchased, for which, together with their cquipment and maintenance, the sum of $8000 is appropriated. The Receiving Hos- pital is much in need of several small im- provements and an increase of $2000 is rec- ommended. Streets, sewers and squares.—Your commit- tee fully reatizes the many advantages, and in fact the almost sbsolute necessity of having smooth and noiseless payements. We are heartily in favor of repaving those blocks on Van Ness avenue which have not been com- pleted, and we realize the demand of the citi- zens and taxpayers 10r the removal of the cob- bles and the paving of the downtown portion of Geary, Sutter, Stockton and Post streets and the completion of the work on Folsom street. We are also in favor of repaving Market street, but we question the wisdom of raising so large en amount by direet taxation s will be neces- sary 1o carry out this work, and, iherefore, we advise the postponement of as much of it as can be delayed until the adoption oi the new char- ter, when the necessar raised by bonds to provide for a complete sewer system and permanent paving of the streets. Nearly all of this work, and in fact all other work of a similar nature, should wait until proper sewers and conduits have been laid. For this reason, we suggest that not more than $100,000 be appropriated for repairing and repaving accepted streets during the next fiscal year. There was appro- priated during the last fiscal year 61150,0(% for street sweeping and streetsprinkling, of which it was contemplated to spend between $25,000 and £30,000 for street sprinkling. There nas been no sprinkling done. however, and this surplus remained at the end of tne fiscal year. Experimental sprinkling conducted by the Merchants’ Association has demoustrated that the sum of $10,000 will be sufficient 1o sprinkle & larger disirict than is now being done and paid for by the merchants ata costof more than double this amount. We sincerely ho that the Board of Supervisors will adopt the specilications for sircet sweeping presented by the Merchants’ Association, and that the con- tract will be let as speedily as possible. For this work we have recommended that $125,000 be appropriated. that being the minimum cost for which the present system of street sweep- ing can be properly maintained. Parks and public grounds.—There is no ex- penditure so heartily indorsed by all citizens as the mouey spent upon Golden Gate Park. Last year the appropriation was $300,000, but in view of the general depression and the ab- solute necessity for economy we advise that the appropriation for the park be rednced to $250,000, which is the same as the Auditor's estimate. This amount we believe wili be sufficient to insure its proper maintenance, although it may not permit of the carrying out of some of the more extensive improve- ments contemplated by the Commissioners, We believe this amount will also provide for & limited number of electric arc lights in the park, which are very much desired. Public buildings.—During the past fiscal year $24,700 was appropriated for janitor service in the City Hall. This amount’ is cer- tainly excessive; and in view of the fact that the City Hall is not ke%t clean for this sum, we recommend that it be reduced one-ualf, which is unquestionably sufficient to perform the work properly. Public institutions.—A reduction of is recommended in each of the County Jails, ior the reason that the increased appropriation allowed the Health Department will enable the health inzpeclnn to assist the City in securing t:‘ener and cheaper supplies for public institu- ons. Ges and electric light.—The present two vears’ contract for lighting the City expires August10of this year, The contract provides for aminimum of 5100 and & maximum of 5800 gas lamps, and & minimum ot 622 electric arclights. In the contract about expiring the rice for gas is 12 cents per night for each amp and 55 cent s per night for each electris Under this arrangement last year’ appropriation of $300,000 wes exhausted and ‘the City was thrown In derknes for two weeks. " Regarding the price charged the City for light, investigation shows that it is very much higher than the lowest charge to rivate consumers. Furthermore, it is well at there are more gas lamps than In many instances both gas and ights are located and in use at the tersection of the same streets. At present 5632 gas lights are charged to the City. These could be appreciably reduced. By [yndicion- manegement considerable saving might be effected in the cost of Jlighting the City, and we therefore recommend that the lighting of the streets be kept within $285,000 and the lighting of public buildings within $30,000. In this connection it occurs 1o us that the ser- vices of the Gas Inspector might be dispensed with. If these services are needed by the City sufficient funds are provided in the trgent necessity fund whereby experts can be em- ployea 10 watch the City's interests. Water.—We regret that it is not possible un- der existing circumstances to make a reduc- g(‘)znl :n { Dl: large Clhl segs-l;‘r water for nicipal oses. In the appro- ‘rhuon Was 30.000. and in 1894-95 lmll 100,000. The rate upon each hydrant was then’ increased by the Board of Supervisors irom $2 50 to £5, which doubled the tax npon This increase was explained at the pon the ground that it would reduce correspondingly tax upon ivate rate- payers. The rate for water is fixea in Feb. ruary and goes into effect in July, so that no reduction in the appropriation for water can be recommended fcr the next fiscal year. The solution of the water problem, your commit- tee beiieves, will come only w the City ac- quiring its own water supply. With the adop- tion of the new charter the necessar; and p: T machinery will be pwvld«r f;‘r‘ ::f abling tbe City to scquire its own water works. Miscellaneous.—Your committee is of the isce! opinion that there exists Do necessity in this City and County for any Fish and Game ‘Warden, and, ‘therefore, recommends the omission of any appropriation for that official. Having increased the appropriation for the 1th Department, we believe that the ex- nation_of insane persons should be con- ducted under the supervision and at the ex- pense of the Board of Health. By the exercise of reasonable economy, the expenditures for stationery and priniing can be reduced X or the next fiscal y ‘The Audi- tor’s estimate for 24,000 for the urgent neces- sy fund isrecommended by your committee, 'ax rate.—During the past ten fiscal years, the tax rate for City and County purposes has never exceeded §107 on the $100 assessed valuation, except in 1887-88, when it was nearly $1 15, and in the past fiseal year when it exceeded the exorbitant rate of $156. It is unfortunate, but true, that San Francisco has not prospered during the past decaae. In g 1887 the population of the City was estis: 530,000, mated at , while it is now estimated at350, howing the slight increase of only 20,000 in ‘ I!!“ui Tge munld valuation, owever, of all real and_personal proper the Citv has increased from oox.e 1885-86 to X in 1896-07, showing an increase in valuation of fully $133,000,000. This large increase of itself gives the City an increased revenue of $1 330.500, at the rate of $1 on the $100 assessed valuation. This sum should be more than ample to cover the ine creased expense attendant upon the expansion of the City and the building up of its suburbs. Your committee is, therefore, fully convinced thata tax rate of $1 on the $100, with the other sources of the City’s income, will raise a sufficient amount to conduct and maintain the City government and will provide sufficient funds to pay the expenses attendant upon the election to be held in November of this year. The surplus shown in the table herewith sub- mitted is sufficient to permit of a reduction of more then $10,000,000 in _the assessment roll of this year. We confess, however, that man; of the reductions ean only be achieved wit the co-operation of the City officials. Under the present defective system of our municipal government the Legislature has provided more offices and higher compensation than war- ranted by the needs of the City. The new_charter—An examination into the financial affairs of the City governmentempha- sizes most strongiy the necessity of a new charter for the municipality. The present method of raising and spending the people's money is 80 unsatisfactory and uncertain that officials shirk their responaibilities and cannot be held accountable for the proper disburse- ment of the public funds. 8m& of the most vicious methods of diverting public money is vrovided in the generai fund, into which is de- posited the revenue intended for many of the various departments. Expenditures are drawn indiscriminately from this general fund, without regard to the public welfare. This fund will be abolished by the new char- ter and twenty-four specific funds will be pro- vided. Each fund will be kept separate ‘and distinet, and the appropriation for each spe- cific purpose will be placed in its respective fund, and cannot be used only for the exact purpose for which it was appropriated. Very respecttully submitted, A. 8. BALDWIN, 8. CONWELL, s. Komntsena, ty in in F. A, SwalN, Committee on Public Affairs. The committee’s estimated expenditure for the fiscal year 1896.97, arranged by de- partments, was as follows: Courts and Law Department—Attorney and Counselor, $18,000; District Attorney, $21,- 200; Superior Courts, $25,800; Police Courts, $48,400; Justices’ Courts, $22,800; Grand Jury expenses, $1500; juries in criminal cases, $2000; interpreters in criminal cases, $6000; publishing law calendars, $2400; reporiers in criminal cases, $25,000; Witnesses in criminal cases, $3500. Total, $176,600. General _departments—Assessor, §$95,000; Auditor, $13,600; Coroner, $17,200; County Clerk, $72,000; Liceuse Collecior, $25,000; Mayor, $7800; Recorder, ¥31,500; Sheriff, §73,400; Sypervisors and Clerk snd Clerk qualization, $83,600; Surveyor, §500; Tax Collector, $40,000; Treasurer, $18,100. Total, e Department — Apparatus, hose end houses, $100,000; materisl, $30,000; pensions and relief funds, $22,000; running expenses, §80,000; saluries. $535,000; leave of absence account, substitntes, $10,000; telegraph, $18,- 100. Total, $645,100. Police Department — Contingent expenses, §7200; patrol, $31,250; telegraph, $8750; salaries (Chief), $4000; salaries (Commis- sioners), §5400: salaries (force). $705,600; rents and repairs, $7000. ,200. Health Department — Almshouse, $80,000; Hospital (City and County), $75,000; Healthi Department (Salaties and expenses), §41,000; quarantine expenses, §5000; Receiving Hos- pital, $12,000; ambulances (1wo, egnipment and ‘expenses), $8000; smallpox hospital, $3720. _Total, $224,720. School Department—Maintaining common schools, $1,000,000; selaries of superintend- euts and secretary, . Total, $1,009,400. Libraries—Free Public Library, $50,000 ; law library, $3600. Totel, $53,600. ' Streets, sewers and squeres—Saiaries of super intendent and deputies, $32.500; improve- ment of streets fronting City property, $12,000; 1mprovement of streets around parks and squares, $25,000; improvement of pubiie Total, §° squares, $25,000; repairs to county roads, £10,000; repairing and repaving _accepte: streets lgoo, 00.000; street uweevln{. $125. street sprinkling, $10,000; cleaning and re- puiring sewers, £50,000. Total, $389,500. Parks and public grounds—Golden Gate Park, $250,000; City Cemelergétl‘zw: garden- ers, five public squares, $4500. Total, $255,- 700. Public buildings—City Hall building, jani- tors, $12.360; City Hall building, employes, $9660; Tael for public buildings, $9000; hur: Diture'and repairs, $12, 1, $43,020. Public_institutions—City Pricon, £33,000; County Juil 2, §33,000; County Jail 3, #20,: 000. Total, $33,000. ' Gas and electrig light—Lighting public build- ings, $30,000; lighting streets, gas and elec- tricity, $285,000. Total, $315,000. Water—Water for municipal purposes, $200,- 000. Election—Régistration and election ex. penses, £180,000. Funded Debt—Interest on City Hall bonds and sinkingifund. $35,435; interest on park improyement bonds and Sinking fund, $51,- Total, £86,635. Miscellaneous—Advertising, $5000; assess- ment roll compiling, §16,500; burial deceased soldiers and sailors, $2500; burial indigent dead, $4000; delinquent tax list publishing, $3000; Fourth of July expenses, $3000; judg- ments, $1530; municipal reports, $7000; undkeeper, $900; San Francisco Benevo- lent Asgociation, $6000; stationery and print- ing, $18,000; transcripts, criminal cases, samooo; urgent necessity, $24,000. Total, 03,- Summary—Courts and Law Department, $176,600; general _departments, §427,700% Fire 'Department, ,100; Police Depart. ment, §762,200; Health Department, $224 - 720; 'Schooi Department, $1,009,400 libra- Ties, §53,600; streets, sewers and aquares, £380,500; parks and public grounds, $225,° 700; public buildings, $43,020; public insti- tutions, $93,000; gas and electric “fi'"' 15,000¢ water, §300,000; election, 150, ;' funded debt, $86.635; miscellaneous, $93,430. Total, $4,955,605. Estimated tax rate for the fiscal yoar 1896-97: Revenue exclusive of taxe Fees of the C $230,000 30,000 1,00 880,000 80,000 1,200 3500 b 2,860 11000 2,000 . 45,000 School, apportionment from State.... 630,000 TWO per cent iax on franchises....... 10.000 Vehioles—Licenses. 3 28,000 Total...... 81,462,580 Asessor’s estimate of total value of property...... +2ve.-.$860,526,081 $3,608,260 2 b 100,285 Total revenue of the City and ‘Tax rate of #1 on the $100. Revenue of the City fi sources. County......... ,055, Estimated zxpendnnm for 1896-97. ’2.“55.&‘)? Surplus, $100,235 ADULTERATED FOOD, Cases Against Three Leading Grocers Called in Court. The cases of George S. Lincoln, William Cline and James 8, Irvine, grocers, charged by Food Inspector Davis with violating the ordinance against the adulteration of food products, came up before Judge Joa- chimsen yesterda; The Board of Health was represented by its attorney, Garret McEnerney, Lincoln and Irvine by Attorneys Carson and Sav- age and Cline by Attorney Harry Dono- van. Attorney Savage, for Irvine, moved for a dismissal on the ground that the com- plaint was uelectf::, inasmuch as the offense was alleged to have been com- mitted on July 13. It should have been June 13, The court sustained the motion, but a new complaint will be filed, A motion for dismissal in the other two cases on various grounds was denied, and on Monday the cases will be set for trial by a jury. —— Piles! Plles! Mac’s Infallible Pile Cure. Cures all s of blind, bleeding, itehin, d pmu-mg" 5 les. Price 506, A &Cor druggists, 504 washingion sireet oV INJURED AT ~ A NEW CHURCH, A Scaffolding Falls Thirty Feet at the New St. Brigid’s. THREE MEN BADLY HURT Two More Laborers Leap on a Wall in Time to Save Themselves. THERE WAS NO CONTRACTOR. Rev. Father Cottle Explains How the Accident Happened—Footlocks Gave Way. Just after the noon hour yesterday, when the laborers on the new St. Brigid's Church, at the corner of Van Ness avenue and Broadway, were returning to work, a “{into th: levlnshn ital, he returned to the scene of el?:c’?dent and quickly reached a conclusion as to how 1t happened. The scaffolding which fell occupied part of the semi-circle formed by the outer wall of what will be the chancel. On the outside the footlocks, or beams supporting it, were built six inches into the wall on the inner edge of the semi-circle, the foot- locks firmly attached to upright | beams driven into the ground. i *'The footlocks gave way,” said Father Cottle, in descdfig the cause of the disaster. ‘‘Instesd of beine built eight or ten inches into the wall, asin the case of the scaffoldings in the other part of the building, they only en six inches wall, The men were about to take away the run for wheeling bricks up to the mfloldini.’-nu in order to have plenty of bricks for going on with the work, they were piling them on the scaffolding. The jarring of the barrows must have loosened the footlocksand they gave way. . When questioned as to who was respon- sible for the security of the scafiolding, Father Cottle replied that John Dough- erty, one of the injured men, was an ex- perienced carpenter, and had had entire ;:hugt of all the scaffoldings in the build- ing. “'It was an accident for which no one can be held responsible,” added the pastor of 8t. Brigia’s, ‘‘Dougherty was on the scaffolding himself when it fell. The loosening of the footlocks from the wall was an acoident for which he cannot be In any way blamed.” An examination of the footlocks showed that, as Father Cottle had divined, they were not broken but had evidently jarred out of their sockets in the wall. "It seems thata man named Lennon, a stairbuilder, had assisted Dougherty in the erection of the scaffolds, but neither of them anticipated any dan- ger from the footlock: Mrs. Ferry’s Furniture. The search warrant case of Mrs, E. P. Ferry, 107 Bush street, against John W. Flinn, auc- tioneer, 321 Sutter street, came up before MELODRANS N THE COURTS The Gamut of Emotion Runs From Happiness to Distress. SAD CASES OF INSANITY. All Sorts of Mental Wrecks as Seen Before Judge Slack. A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. Action of a fian Who Did Not Agree With His Sp:use’s Religious . Views. Not even in the theater, in these days of startling modern melodrama, does the pre- | sentation of mimic weal and woe change from scenes of wealth and happiness or Scene of the Accident at the New Church of St. Brigid, Van Ness avenue and Broadway. scaffolding at the west end of the building gave way, carrying with it three men and a quantity of bricks. Two other men, Tim Doogan and Robert Fulton, were near the edge of the scaffold and felt it sway. They just escaped by leaping back onto the wall, which is in process of construction. Tim Doogan was in the actof wheeling a barrow loaded with bricks onto the scaf- fold. He was too far sdvanced to have any power to pull back his barrow when he felt the scaffold rock, and, therefore, let go and made a leap for the wall, while the barrow and its contents fell over thirty feet, alone with the scaffold. It is con- sidered that these bricks and those already piled on the scaffold intlicted most of the injuries on the three men who fell. There were twenty-four other laborers employed on the building at the time. They at once rushed to the assistance of the sufferers, while the pastor of St. Brigia’s, the Rev. John E. Cottle, and his assistant priests, Rev. M. Bryan and Rev. B. McKennon, who were at lunch in the parish residence, hasten.a out with restoratives. When the men were extri- cated from the pile of planks and bricks, John Dougherty, the head carpenter, who ad been repairing the scaffolding at the time 1t fell, was found to be conscious, though evidently badly burt. John Gallugher, a brick-layer, and Patrick Mor- an, a laborer, were both uncenscious. hey were made as comfortable as possible on cushions and rugs from the sh resi- dence, until the pairol wagon and the ambulace arrived. At the Receizing Hospital it was found that John Dougherty, wgo resides at 8 San Carlos avenue, was the most uriansl¥ in- juréd of the three. He was suffering fr a broken shoulder-blade, three broken ribs and internal injuries, which may prove fatal. Thomas Gallagher of Eddy place was baaly injured about the head and his right laswns ractured. homas Morgan, a laborer, was found to have a fractured rib and an abrasion of the arm and side. His wounds were not 80 serious as those of the other men, and after being treated at the hospital he was able to return to his home at 16 Folsom avenue. Gallagher is an unmarried man, E:abuugheny and Morgan are both mar- The building where the accident occur- red is at the southwest corner of Van Nese avenue and Broadway. The old wooden church has been moved to the south side, and in its place about balf the outer shell of a fine, gray-stone edifice has been erected. The new church was de- signed by a local firm of architects, but Father Cottle, the pastor, is his own builder and contractor. He hires his men by the and during the five months that have elapsed since work on the build- ing was commenced, he has devoted con- siderable time and labor to -:r"hin; ::: directing the construction of his new Yesterday's accident was a great blow to him. After doing mu power for the injured men and making arrange- ments to receive news of them from the A Judge Campbell again yesterday aiternoon. A Ts. Ferry and New WATTANt Was SWOrn to b: the hearing was fixed for this atternoon. Mrs. Ferry’s attorney stated that Wednesday night two cartloads of her furniture had been re- moved from Flinn’s auctionrooms, but this Flinn denfed. WOULD PAY WITH BLOWS An Excitable Woman Created a Scene in Justice Cook’s Court. Angry Mrs. Martha McElroy Wanted to Thrash Collector Ed- ward Ackley. A fight, with one of the belligerents a member of the fair sex, was averted in Justice Cook’s court yesterday only by the interference of Bailiff Barney Conlan, who held the angry woman—the aggressor, by the way—at arm’s length until her in- tended victim could make his escape. Edward Ackley, a collector, was suing Mrs. Martha McElroy, a handsome robust woman, for $50 for medical services ren- dered by a local specialist. In order to se- cure his claim he had previously attached her piano and furniture, much to the anger of Mrs. McElroy, whose excitement showed in her face the instant she saw the collector. Her excitement increased as the trial of | the case proceeded until when Ackley left the stand after giving his testimony, she could keep it ip restraint no longer. “‘You villain, you mean to rob me,” she shouted, and made a dash at the as- tonished Ackley, her handseloquently ex- ressing her desire to pull his hair, scratch face or something equally violent. “‘Order,” howled the court in as com- m-nflin&tonn as it could muster, but Mrs, McElroy refused to “‘order,” and was fast gom;r within clawing distance of the lector when Bailiff Con- lan took & band in the proceedings, lay- ing firm but gentie hands on the irate ‘woman and preventing her from making ber intended attack on Ackley. She made desperate efforts to get away, during which the court roared alternate threats of punishment and entreaties for peace from a safe place on the bench. Ackley finally made his escape, and Justice Cook gave him judgment he hicting the debe, but objocting w0 the eol m e del ut ol ting to the col- lector’s method of oolloc&m It.‘ —_———— General Dimond’s Will, The will of General W. H. Dimond has been edmitted to probate. Edwin R. Dimond and the Union Trust Com; are 3 b > pany appointed ex- - Sullivan & Sullivan, Ex-Judge J. F. Sullivan and Mazt I. Sullivan have removed their law offices to Parrott b’'ld'g 825-855 Market st. Entrance rm. 610, 6th floor® unhappiness to terrible poverty and dis- tress more rapidly than in the law courts of to-day. Yesterday in Judge Slack’s court, immediately after the well-fed, fashionably attired crowd of attorneys and principals in the Fair will case, men and women engaged in a bitter legal battle for the possession of millions upon mil- lions of dollars, had filed out, the exam- ination of insane persons was taken up. Most of the pitiable creatures were ill- clad, dirty and 1ll-smeliing. There were inebriates, idiots and other sorts of mental wrecks. The members of the motley crew were brought in, one at a time, to be ques- | tioned. The first of the lot was a young Italian, one of the sort that artists rave about; tail, well-formed, with . handsome, clean-cut features; a nose that any man might envy; small, sharply twisted mustache, and short, curling beard. He sat huddled in his chair, with an old overcoat drawn tightly around him, probably to conceal a paucity of other garments. Mis trousers barely reached hi 0e tops and his long hair was uncombed and matted. He be- lieves himself possessed of immense wealth, and so refuses to work or even care for his person. His wife had him ar- rested, and he was sent to the Stockton asylum. His name is D. Bacigalupi. ext came a little old lady, scrupulously neat and clean. She wore a weil-fittin, print dress of dark color, and a h]ncE shawl covered her shoulders. A small b bonnet was markedly in contrast with her almost white hair. Ann Byrne {is hername. She was brought from the Almshouse, and as she came in glanced nervously around as though afraid the creatures that exist in her imagmation ;:“- following her. She was sent to 'ohn Scully, an epileptic, whose palsi legs reinsodyto sugpox?t his heuv; b;deyd. dragged himself in, supported by two at- tendants. His gross features and thick lips told the tale of indulgence that brought him to his present awful state, He has been confined in the City Prison, charged with assault with & deadly weapon. In one of his paroxysms he tri to kill his sister with a ragor. Ukiah is hii !utuhra l\m:e. i nother phase of human 8 resented 1n the case of Mrs, R??V. g?n;ll: he is a tall, determined-looking woman with a long, sharp nose and defiant gn): eyes. When called to the stand she smiled .n'dxmovle? ik“';rrdin wkm; 4 jaunty air, ““Ma; ake a of this %4 “};d e ::i water?” she aving recei permission she .::&l;mpmd a glass and then begnglllzzz story. “I am & Presbyterian,” said she, ** a my husband is a Catholic. We l'lnmlt Cortland avenue and Bennington street. We have nad frequent quarrels on reli. glous subjects, and yeste: y my husband had me arrested on acharge of insanity.” The accused certainly showed no indica- tions of being mentally weak and was dis- charged. Asshe walked out of the court- room she paused to shake hands with each of a formidable array of women who had w come to bear witness, if necessary, in her bu’.‘lf ”s'm discharged,” she said, gleefully, to each of them. NOTES OF THEATERS. Last Week of E file Shannon and Herbert Kelcey. Maxime Elliott’s *‘Lady Gay Spanker.’’ The Stockwell Company’s production of “Americans Abroad” continues lt[o fill the ». The performance 1s really a very ;lr]::g?ng one, tx;:eough it is ‘more uneven than some of those which have preceded it. Stockwell, as the man who bscomes‘ his own steward, manages to be extremely funnv without descending to farce, and Miss Effie Shannon as the little every-day American girl, and Kelcey as the French friend of the family are both good. Next week *‘Carmen” will be produced. At the Columbia Theater, Miss Maxine Elliott is doing some of her best work as Lady Gay Spenker in ‘London Asskur- ance.” Charles Wingate, who has taken Frawley's place, is also good; indeed, the nLl-round] caste ;:'l the racy comedy is a thorougkly satisfactory one. o _ It has been decided to put “The Charity Ball”” on for the whole of next week. “A Money Order” gives the comvany_nh the Grand opportunities for expressing in- tense heroism, virtue and vice, of which they are not slow to take advantage. Jules Walters has written a part for him- self, in which he fairly revels in excite- ment, and the other characters are also based on those broadly marked lines which always delight lovers of melodrama. The play is drawing large houses. The Jockley Roston Troupe at the pr— pheum has not proved quite the attraction that was anticipated, ths man-monkey be- ing really inferlor as an entertainer to the genuine monkeys that Professor Macart is exhibiting at the Casino. The_rest of the Orpbeum bill is excellent, Collins and Collins having made an especial hit. PHI NEW TO-DAY. LADELPHIA SHQE C STAMPED ON A SHOE MEANS STANDARD OF MERIT. BLOCKADE SALE. THERE ARE OTHERS Who claim to sell cheap, but we are compelled to do 30, and any one wio has ever seen that high fence at Third and Market streets will readily be- lieve that we must offer unusual reductions to do business. Since we inaugurated our Blockade Sale our store has been crowded. But why? Simply because we are selling dozens of fine lines below cost. and every shoe in our store has been reduced in price. This week we are offering at a sacrifice an assorted line of Ladies’ Fine Oxford Ties. Some have French stitched heels, others low heels: some have razor toes and tips, others mediom oroad toes, and all have hand-turned soles, and we ofter them for §1 per pair. They are worth from §2 50 to $5. Al sizes on A, B and G, and small sizes on D and E. Pine Kid Button Boots, with French stitched heels, 4 razor toes Or Narrow square 4 10es and patent-leather tips and band-tureed. soles, re- duced 10 §2 75 All sizes, all widths. Regular price £5. Same style exacily in Russet Kid, with brown cloth tops, and same price. Do you like to dress weil and wear fine shoes? Well. here s a chance. No odds or ends, but regu- lar stock. Ladies’ Extra All the young girls wish to wear Lace Shoes. Here is a chance. Fine Dongoio Kid Lace Shoes, with spring heels, greatly reduced in price. Wear guaranteed. Fine shoes sold cheap. An assorted line of Ladies’ Button Shoes, in- cluding Patent Leather and French Kids, with hand-tuined soles and French - stitched heels and low heels, pointed and broad toes, without tips. A greatdriv be sold for $1 50: every pair worth $5. You may smile at selling a fine shoe 80 cheap, but the sizes are broken up, and we wish no odd lines in stock. Country orders solicited. Send for New Illustrated Catalogua. Address B. KATCHINSKI, PHILADELPHIA SHOE co,, 10 Third Street, San Francisco. THESUCCESS OF THE SEASON THE LADIES' GRILL ROOK —0F THE— PALAGE HOTEL, DIRECT ENTRANCE FROM MARKET ST OPEN UNTIL MIDNIGHT. FIFTY-DOLLAR RELECTRIC BELTS BELTS o8 850 Belis 800d bel:s for latest patent and all improvements. g Call Qr wrlte for new pamphles No. 2. Address DR. PIERCE & SON, 704 Sacramento &t., cor. Kearny, second, third and fourth fioors, San Francisco. TAMAR INDIEN GRILLON A 1axallve refreshing fes fralt lozenge, very agreeable to take. CONSTIPATION hemorrhoids, bile, loss of appetite, gastric and Tntestial troubles and hesdache arising from them. E. GRILLON, 38 Rue des Archives, Paria Sold by all Druggiste. NOTARY PUBLIC. mil‘c. Hotel. Td.““:nl 570, Wm Lelephone. “. " 259k Wright's Indian Vegstabls Pills Are acknowledged by thousands of persons who Dave used them for over forty years to cure BICK HEADACHE, GIDDINESS, CONSTIPA. TION, Torpid Liver, Weak Stamach, Pimples, and the bloo, Csmars Syl M %fi&_fi%fl‘:‘:fi: medieing injury to the conatiution. Ask your i Price 31