The morning call., 1894-07-31
GAS AND WATER.
Supervisors Discuss the
City's Needs.
Will Not Reduce the Price of Gas.
Arguments as to Acquiring
City Water Works.

At the regular meeting of the Board
OF Supervisors yesterday afternoon, a
report on the gas question was sub
mitted by Mr.. Hinton, in which he con-
tended that the price OF gas should be re-
duced from 81 to 81 s. per 1000 Gu bic feet.
He said statistics showed that gas could be
manufactured more cheaply in this city
than elsewhere, and yet the commodity is
higher here than in other cities In the
United States
The Gaslight Committee IN report pro-
tested against the reduction of the price of
gas, and presented statistics 10 refute the
statements of Mr. Hinton. The reports
were placed on file.
A resolution to reduce the price of gas
from 50 to 81 IS per 1000 cubic feet was
lost by tie vote as follows:
Ayes-Stanton, Refs, Dun don, James,
Hinton and Denman-6.
Noes-Good win, Rogers, Kennedy, Ryan,
Forman and Day-6
The report OF the Committee on Water
and Water Supply was read and adopted
The report states that various propositions
have been received for supplying the city
with water, but owing to the magnitude of
the subject the committee deemed it wise
TO postpone action pending some express
sion OF public opinion. 1t is suggested
that the question be put to a vote at the
next general election to determine whether
or not the city is in favor OF owning its
own water works.
BY way OF comparison the report states
that the bonds of this city and county at
3R per cent per annum would sell at par
and one issue of SIS, 100000 t3b per cent
would represent an outlay at the expira-
tion of forty years of principal and inter-
est OF $50, 762, 500. In addition an estimate
of S50O.000 each year for operating aud
other expenses would make a total for
those purposes of $20,000,000, or a grand
total of $45 762, 500.
On the other hand, if the present supply
OF water furnished by private corporation
is continued for the same period of fortv
years, and the annual cost to the city and
county and It's inhabitants is confined to
the same amount as now paid OF 81, $780,
600, the total cost for the period of forty
years would be sec. .00O 600 for the supply
of water furnished. 1t will be seen there
fore that on the face of these estimates the
city would save over $40, 100000 in forty
years by owing its own water works.
Another feature of the case i5 the fact
that forty years hence private corpora
tion II continuously engaged in furnishing
water for the city would have become so
firmly intrenched that it would be next TO
Impossible TOR the city to secure suitable
water supply. All of tie present avail
able sources would be utilized and could
not be obtained except at fabulous price.
owing TO the cost of diverting them from
the uses to which they would be put in
the development of the resources of the
State.
The annual report of District Attorney
Barnes shows 1861 cases pending, as
against 1909 cases for the fiscal year 1929
There were 500 new cases received during
the year. Thirty minors were committed
to the Whittier Reform School.
The accumulation of business was so
large that 1T could not all be transacted In
one day, and at o'clock the board ad-
journed until O'Clock Wednesday.