Upon complaint being made or information given to the director of public safety that a person residing in the city requires public assistance or support, the director shall inquire into the condition and necessities of such person, and if satisfied that relief ought to be granted at public expense, and that the person requires temporary or partial relief only, and that for any cause it would not be prudent to remove him to the city infirmary, the director may afford relief, at the expense of the city, without such removal. The director has the same power of removing paupers settled in some other county in this state which is conferred on the board of county commissioners.