The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-29
one and accom- 2lishes wonders. bnt it is
neither large enough nor does it have en-
glnes or hydrants as it ought to have.

one and accom- plishes wonders. bnt it is
neither large enough nor does it have en-
gines or hydrants as it ought to have.
sULLIvAN's PROPOSITIONS.
Chief Sullivan proposes TO recommend
that engines, trucks and chemicals be added
10 the apparatus and that 1000 new hydrants
be placed in addition TO the 1900 now in
use. The last recommendation is surely in
order. do not think there is sufficient
hydrant supply on any one block in the
whole city. The outlying districts are alb
solutely without them, and the risk of a
disastrous ccnfagration is always thought
OF as dreadful possibility by every insuT-
ance man. The recommendations of Chief
Sullivan are entitled to the highest eOnsid-
Grafton. lie is man of experience and
judgment and conscientious in the dis
charge of his duties. He knows the abso-
lutte need OF the city in his department bet
ter than any one else. The underwriters
have not yet acted upon the Chiefs report,
and must consider it. We all hope that a
large addition To the fire-fighting force Will
be made"
Referring to the effect of additional hy-
drants ana an Increase in fire apparatus
upon insurance rates Mr. Dickson said
THAT II the Fire Department was increased
according to the hopes of Chief Sullivan
there would be an immediate reduction of
rates. OF course it is impossible to say TO
what extent, but | guarantee the citizens of
San Francisco would save enough money
every year on premiums to pay not only
interest on the S3)0000 required, but leave
enough left for good sized sinking fund in
addition"
WATER SUPPLY SUFFICIENT
Regarding the sufticiency of the water
supply Mr.. Dickson remarked: 80
far as the availab t. amount of water is con-
eerned and us general distribution no city
in the country Is si'ua'ed any more advan-
tageousiy than is San Francisco That ques
ton I'as been eliminated from the calcula-
tons of the Insurers beyond IL doubt. There
Is an abundance OF water every where. What
is needed is more hydrants and more en-
gneS."
Such is the judgment of men who per
fectIy understand the unenviable position
in which this city is placed regarding pro-
lection from confederation. and it believed
that the larger number OF owners of real
estate and insurance men fully agree with
their conclusions. But no sooner is propO-
SltIOn made TO Increase the number Of by
drantS for instance than the OLD cry that
such an increase would expand the Income
of the Spring Valley Water Works is raised,
Just as though such question can Justly be
considered when the safety of the city is
lnperiied. That company certainly de-
serves some encouragement Tor tie stu
pendouS efforts II has made 10 overcome
natural obstacles and supply San Francisco
with a supply Of water both eXhausteSS and
pure.
RENTS NOT EXoRBITANT
The rent of hydrant OF $50 per year is
claimed to be eXorbitant and oppressive,
but this cannot be regarded as such when
comparisons are made with ether cities of
the country, and which are given below. 1t
is a fact that the Water Committee OF tho
Board Of Supervisors in neither of the
schedules of rates presented for adoption
deemed the S30-rate too high when they
considered the service. Placing bydrant
in any new section adds to the security OF
those who live near, besides the valuable
assistance the flow gives In euhanci z the
health of the locality in flushing sewers and
IN banlShing germs of disease. But the
charge Of eXorbitant aud excessive rates
cannot be sustained in the light OF the rents
paid by representative cities throughout the
country which are situated as this city is
and dependent upon a private corporation
for the water supply.
EXCESSIVE FREIGHTs
The excessive cost Of coal and freghts
ought To be also considered before arriving
at conclusion in the matter. New York,
Phlladelphla, BROOKLYN, Chicago. Boston,
Cincinnati, st. Louis aud Detroit. with
many OF he other larger cities, own their
own works, and consequently no compare
son is possible. These cities have no sepa-
rate water accounts for the corporation.
Baltimore pays 5000 to the water fund
for fire protection though owning its own
works.
Buffalo, n. Y. owns its own water works,
bNt h"AtS ltSFIl Clbu.Otb lRI ulb ltuttCllOu
Kansas City, with 14l6 Eydrants. pays
So, $50 for the same purpose,
81. Paul. with 1868 hydrants, pays a rent
OF $500 per mile on the city mains.
Pitt,burg. with 1850 hydrantS, pays 2 rent
of $50 per annum- on each; Seattle, SEQ;
Tacoma, 500 Topeka. $50; savannah, Ca,
$50; Peoria. III. S41 60; DaYeapor Iowa,
$40; Council Bluffs. 500 and So; Atchi-
son, Hans, $50 and 500; Auburn, y. Y,
$50; Auna"olis, Md, SIS; Akron. Ohio,
$40 and S45; Duluth, 500, $50 aud Sl00;
INDIANAPOLIS, $50: Leaveuworth, SO; Mem
phis. $50 to $50; New Orleans, 500; Oswe-
go, \. Y. $50.
Toronto, Canada, pays S54, 100 for fire pro-
lection, and Denver, Colo, with 1860 by
drants, $4,000 per annum. Des Moines,
Iowa. pays rent of S635 per mile of pIs e,
and thus through long list of minor cities
the rate in no instance is as low as in this
city.
A change In sentiment regarding Spring
Valleys rates will surely result from Il fair
consideration of those mentioned above.
Even the most prejudiced must admit that
il is possible 10 obscure its real position by
persistent misrepresentation.