The Mayor vs. The Board

To the House of Delegates of the City of Seattle—Gentlemen: I herewith return, without my approval, House of Delegate bill No. 2, entitled 'An ordinance prescribing additional duties for the Board of Public Works by providing for the frequent inspection by them of the public works and property of the city and requiring them to devote certain hours to the business of the city.'

In my opinion, section 3 of this ordinance is contrary to the charter, and thereby vitiates the whole ordinance. I am in hearty accord with your honorable body in the object of this enactment. There is no question of your right or power, under the charter, to impose upon the members of the Board of Public Works the duty to personally inspect all work being done on behalf of the city. My objection rests entirely upon section three of the ordinance. This requires that the board shall be always in session in their office, when not engaged outside on the personal inspection of public works. By this requirement, the Council attempts to prescribe the sessions or meetings of the Board of Public Works. The charter expressly confers upon the board the power to appoint meetings at such times as the board may, in its discretion, see fit. I do not believe the council can control the discretion of the board in this respect. The Board of Public Works is a separate department of the city government. It is purely an executive department. Its duty is to effect results. J. T. Ronald, Mayor.