The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-20
FOR A REDUCTION.
Oakland'S Council Will
Cheaper Water.
At Present 1t Is Thought That the
Rates Will Be Lowered About
Thirty Per Cent.

OAKLAND.-A fair crowd gathered last night
in the Council chamber In anticipation of some
action being taken in the much-discussed water
question.
The report of The special Water Committee
was handed in by Mr.. Manuel and its consid-
Grafton was nut over until Wednesday next, TO
be considered III committed OF the whole. This
report was In regard TO the buying of plant by
the city.
When this matter had been disposed OF Mr..
Manuel read bis report of The other committee
formed 10 TX a price which the Contra Costa
Company shall charge The citizens of Oakland
for waller during the coming year.
Mr.. Manuel here proceeded to read from a
long port made by The committee in which
lie argued strongly for a reduction of 80 per
ceut In The water rates, saying that this would
give me company SoOd return on the money
It had invested. The report said that San
Francisco was paying DeaIly as much for wafer
as for bread, and that Oakland was paying at
least 80 per cent more than the city across the
bay.
After the reading of this report the audience
cbeeTed the sent iment therein, and the ordi-
nance was hen handed TO the clerk TO read.
This document H. e all the other documents
bearing on This water question Is most volumin-
Gus and enters INTO The most minute details.
Everything in which water is used is entered
into, from water USED for mortar mixing 10
street-spTinkllng. Taken in all. the reduction
Is, as promised, about 80 per cent.
After the ordinance was read Smell moved
that the Council meet tonight al o'clock TO
consider the ordinance.
A vote was taken on the motion and it was
carried by vote OF 6 TO 5, Towe, Capell,
Manuel Dow and Dalton voting negatively
Hoffman arose after the vote aud said II was
strange that these gentl' men voted no. when in
caucus II had been agreed that the matter
Woulu go over until then.
A communication was here read from the
Dlngee Company, which begged the Council TO
make no gre alter reduction now than 20 uer
cent IN the water rates and said in year from
now the Council might make all additional Te-
duction OF 10 per cent, or 80 per cent in all.
he company said that IL had made all ar
rangemenIs for tue laying of its main from Al
yai ado and had purchased 2200 tons of pipe
fol this purpose and that heavy reduction at
this time would greatly hamper them in their
desire to furnish good water in large quantities
TO the city. This letter was laid over, 10 be
taken up tonight in connection with other
water matters.
The special Water Committee of the Council
which was appointed some time since 10 see
what could be done IN The way OF furnishing
fresh water 10 the city independent of private
corporations furnished most voluminous re.
port 10 the Conncil last night.
Ii embraces l60 pages OF type-written mat
Ter, and contains conclusions and opinions OF
eminrnt counsel on the matter. besides bids
from several parties 10 furnish the waller; the
city VIII furnish its own piping. The bids on
furnishing water have been already printed
but the names OF the bidders are Withheld in
The report.
The committee says: after careful consId-
Grafton w are strongly of the opinion that any
supply owned or controlled by large corpora
thSH VI W a COuIpdu1 VI iuuNtuudIS Is Il cor
ruptlng Influence in The affairs OF a CITY which
If possible should be avoided.
I'VE believe that the patronage dispensed TO
newspapers and public officials by corpora
tons d pending upon municipal authority,
whether direct or Indirect, is greatly to be de-
plored, and that municipal ownership is the
best II not the only method by which these cor
rupting influences may be stopped.
"N have made diligent inquiry among COM
petent engineers and believe that a system of
mains can be laid complete using larger pipe
than is at present in use and more systemaTl.
caly arrang d.
For sum not exceeding $3.50. 900 we have
two estimates, one for 100000 aud one for
S16O,OOO. This would require the issuance of
bonds for that amount. aud We Respectfully
urge that IL be submitted TO the people for
their approval al the earliest possible moment.
"n the plan outlined by the committee is
vigorously followed up the result will be sooner
or later an ownership of water suppiy
by the city. and The benefits OF such
plan would be good water at greatly
reduced rates and the removal of a disturbing
element in local legislation ana political mat
tiers. The accomplishment of these things
would prove wonderful factor in oakland
PROSPERITY"
This important question OF city water SUP.
ply owned by the city Is to be considered by
The Council in committee of the whole on
Wednesday night.
SAY, girls. II you want to fool that best fellow
lust ask him to give YOU his packape of Whites