The record-union., 1893-08-01
PURE WATER A CERTAINTY.
The Trustees Accept R. L. Fish's
Proposed System.
A Reduction in the Contract Price
Agreed to After Lengthy
Discussion.

consent Of the people themselves.
The City Trustees have agreed to accept
r. l.. Fish's pure water supply system,
and now the citizens must go to the polls
and ratify the boards action.
The matter came up for final action be-
fore the board yesterday, and, after hang
ing fire nearly all day, was finally settled.
The bids were read, showing that
Nr. Fish offered to supply the city at the
rate of % cents per 900 gallons, and that
this was the lowest bid.
Mayor Steinman asked Mr.. Fish, who
was present with his attorney, S. Solon
Holl, if he understood that the city was
TO use only billion gallons of water
year, or that the amount was simply the
minimum.
NJ. Fish said he supposed that it was
the minimum amount.
In answer to further question he ad-
mitted that he could furnish a second
billion gallons cheaper than the first.
THE CITY's PROPOSITION.
The Mayor then stated that the board
had had some quiet meetings on the
water subject and had carefully consid-
cred Mr.. tish's bid. They had come to
the conclusion that, even though Mr..
Fish's bid was the lowest, they could not
accept it at his figures. The board, of
course, had a right to reject any and all
bids, but rather than let the chance of
getting pure water into the city slip by
altogether they would first submit a
proposition to Mr.. Fish. The Mayor
said he had prepared a statement en-
bOdying the sentiments of the entire
board. He then read the following to
Mr.. Fish:
''In the first place, we do not feel like
acting arbitrarily in the matter. The re-
port of the committee of citizens ap-
pointed by the board would seem to in
duce US to submit any proposition made
to the vote of the people. That committee
gave the subject attentive consideration,
and submitted specifications which, with
few notifications, we have adopted,
and IN justice TO them and the lowest
bidder, it may be that the best bid should
DE voted upon, no matter what our own
private views may be as to its being adj
Vlsable for the city. But in talking over
the matter between ourselves, we find that
ii the city should use more than thou
sand million gallons in year, the cost of
water would be increased considerably
1t must be remembered that the city of
Sacramento is in debt, and will be for
TOUR or five years to come. Mr.. Fish is
the lowest bidder, and in one sense is en-
titled to the contract. But we have the
right to reject any and all bids, and we
have decided to say to him that if he
wishes TO accept the proposition that | am
about to make on behalf of the board, we
are willing TO submit the question to the
people at once. If he does not choose to
accept the proposition that we shall make
we have concluded that it will be for the
best interests OF the people to defer action
at the present time. Our proposition is
this: That for water furnished the CITY
above one thousand million gallons per
annum, Mr.. Fish reduce his price for the
additional water above one thousand
million gallons to two cents per Thousand,
or SO per million. We have fully de-
termined that, unless the city can obtain
water at this price, it would be best to re-
fuse to submit the proposition to the peo-
pie at the present time"
TINE TO THINK.
Mr.. Fish and his attorney were hardly
ready tor this turn of affairs, and wanted
time to considerth proposition.
Mayor SIeinman said that would be
satisfactory, only he would like TO have
il settled as soon as possible, as he was
going away tor while, and beside the
board would want to advertise anew for
bids. He explained to Mr.. Fish that if
the people of Sacramento realized that
there was going TO be deficiency in the
water fund every year which would have
te be met, either by tax or raised water
rates, they would vote down the PROPOSE
tion altogether. The board did not feel
election that would amount to nothing.
Mr.. Fish and his attorney departed,
taking the Mayors statement with them
In the afternoon they returned, and
Mr.. Fish said that while he could not ac-
cept the boards 2-cent proposition he
would accept p cents for every 900 gal
Ions over the first 1000, 200, 900 gallons
furnished. This, he thought, was an un-
usually low figure, and he was splitting
the difference" as it were, with the
board.
Now there's no use fooling with this
thing at all, said Mayor Steinman, ''un-
less you can come TO our terms. The
board has gone over the matter thor
oughly, and has come to the conclusion
that two cents is all the city can stand"
Mr.. Fish said he was satisfied that they
were many things the board had not con-
sidered.
I'VE considered our finances" replied
the Mayor.
Mr.. Fish said it was all we'll enough
to consider the finances, but the board
should also consider what the city was get
ing-pure water, a perfect fire service
and all the other advantages of a large
and pure supply of water. He did not
think that the people would object to. the
slight advance over the boards rate which
he asked. He was anxious to furnish
Sacramento with water, but he could not
do it and be safe from loss at the boards
figures.
JUDGE HOLL TALKS.
s. S. Holl, Mr.. Fish's attorney, also ad-
dressed the board. HI said, as he under
stood it. Mr.. Fish only asked an advance
of half cent on every thousand gallons
furnished over and above the first billion
gallons supplied. He thought this too
small an item on which TO lose to the
city the opportunity of its life to get a
pure water supply.
Mr.. Conklin figured up that even if the
whole second billion gallons were used it
would only cost s., 500.
The Mayor, however, said they were
wasting time. The board had gone into
the matter thoroughly and had ascer-
tanned that the city could not afford to
have a new water supply at Mr.. Fish's
figures. 1t was to be one thing or the
other-either the boards proposition OF
nothing.
Mr.. Fish tried again to talk the board
out of their determination. but it was no
go.
The gentleman and his attorney then
stepped over to one of the open windows
and held conference. They talked about
three minutes, and when they turned
and walked back toward the Trustees
their countenances showed at a glance
that they had given in.
Sacramento was to have pure water
supply at last.
FISH ACCEPTS.
Mr.. Fish prefaced his acceptance with
a humorous story about an experience he
had once in selling a dog. His instruc-
tions from his father were: "If you can't
get a dollar take six shillings." He took
the shillings. Gentlemen" said Mr..
Fish in conclusion, Il accept your
terms" and he sat down.
Everybody looked happy. The Mayor
L ! IL