Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-03-12
THE COUNCIL.
Mayor BrysOn VetOes the
Water-Rate Ordinance.
NOT ACCORDING TO CONTRACT
ANumber of Changes in the Positions
Of Street Lights Made
Other Business.

The CITY Council met yesterday morn
ing, President Kuhrts in the chair and
Messrs. Bosbyshell, Barrett, Moriarty,
Cohn, Hanley, Shafer, Sinsabaugh, Earl,
Threlkeld, McNally and Wilson present.
The following message was received
from Mayor Bryson:
<T return herewith, without my ap-
proval, the ordinance recently passed for
the purpose of establishing water rates
for the year commencing July l, 1885,"
The Mayor gave as his opinion that
the Council has no authority to reduce
the rates below the figures in force in
1870, when the agreement with the Los
Angeles Water Company was entered
into, which expressly stipulates that,
while the Mayor and Council reserve the
right to regulate the water rates charged
by the water company, they shall not so
reduce such water rates as to fix the price
thereof to be less than those now charged.
The agreement and prices entered into
in 1868 and 1870 are then quoted in the
message. The Mayor then continues: !:
tsI have given this matter considerable
attention, and find that the water COM
panies have large claim on your consid-
Grafton. The City Water Company has
already purchased the pumps for high
pressure system of water works that will
throw water higher than the highest
building in the city. and proposes to ex-
pend at least 5000, 900 in the next twelve
months in extending their plant,
and employment will be given to
many laborers. To do this they will
be obliged to borrow money, and as
their ability to do this is based on their
under your rates, this work will be post
power to earn and as they will lose money
poned, if your schedule is enforced.
find that the water companies are furn-
ishing free water to many poor families
in the city, who, if not aided in this way,
would become public charges. The
western portion of the city is dependent
entirely for domestic purposes on the
Citizens Company, and the company has
for several years been running at a loss, us
ing every portion of obtainable capital in
extending their system into spsrsely set
tied sections, where profit cannot be
looked for for years to come. l have not
heard of a single complaint against the
rates previously charged, nor do think
a sensible person can expect the Com
panies to conduct their business at a
steady loss. In the case of the Citizens
Water Company, the water has to be
pumped at a heavy expense, and l
really believe that if this company is
forced, in the interest of retrenchment,
under your new rates to curtail its supply,
many families living on the western hills,
will be deprived of water for domestic
use. You will entail great deal of suf-
fering by forcing the company to reduce
its usefulness and gain nothing that will
be of benefit to the city in the end. 1
therefore ask that you give the matter a
sober second thought, and consider the
law and justice in the case"
On motion the message was received
and filed, and the vote adopting the ordi-
nance was reconsidered.
Mr.. Cohn moved that the ordinance be
passed over the Mayors veto. He said
that the State law under which the COM
pany was incorporated provided that the
Council could fix the rates.
Mr.. Dunn said that there was no doubt
about this. The only question was
whether the new rates were unjust and
in violation of the contract between the
city and the company.
Mr.. Cohn withdrew his motion, and
moved to lay the matter over until next
meeting, when the Councilmen could be
prepared with authorities. Carried.
The reports of the various city officers
were referred to the Finance Committee.
The Street Superintendent recon-
mended that Sonora and Also streets be
received. On motion of Mr.. Cohn the
Street Superintendent was instructed to
put the sewers down.
Mr.. Bosbyshell moved thaUthe salaries
OF Messrs. Prayer and Hull, deputy sur
yeyors, be raised to $3.50 per month.
Captain Barrett changed the motion SO
as to allow the Assessor 800 per month
extra for help. Lost.
The City Attorney reported that an in
junction was threatened to prevent the
building of the viaduct on First street.
The matter was referred TO a commit
tee consisting of Messrs. Cohn, Shafer
and Barrett.
The City Attorneys office was placed
on the regular rent roll of the city.
An ordinance fixing the width of the
sidewalk on the south side of Eleventh
street at eleven feet was read and
adopted.
The contract with NJ. A. Lawson for
furnishing the city prisoners with meals
was read and adopted.
A contract with A. A. Bent to construct
/ 200 feet of sewer ON Brooklyn avenue
was read and adopted.
The Building Committee recommended
that the alterations in the City Hall
tower, as proposed by the architects, be
carried out. Laid over until afternoon.
A communication was received from
E. @. Burlingane, asking that his con-
tract for street sweeping be transferred
to W. @. Marsh. Received and filed.
The report of the Finance Committee
was read and adopted.
The committee recommended that the
petition of the Pacific Sewage Company
for 81 800 in payment of the expenses OF
the Sewer Committee to Atlantic City be
filed. Action was deferred until next
Monday.
The Finance Committee recommended
that the Treasurer transfer 81 ,726 from
the salary fund to the West Lake Park
fund. Carried.
A recess was taken at this time until
I 80 O'Clock.
Afternoon Session.
TIE report of the Board OF Public
Works, as published in Sundays HER
AID, was read and adopted.
The Police Commission recommended
that Officer Dorsey be allowed one-half a