The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-20
SAN FRANCISCO ITEMS,
The Water Committee FavorS
a Reduction for the
Next Fiscal Year.
HYDRANT RATES INCREASED.
Property-Owners, Instead of Ordi-
nary Ratepayers, to Pay
the Tax.

The Water Committee struggled with
the water question last night. There was
prolonged discussion as to what the rates
should be, and no two opinions were alike.
1t was finally agreed, however, that the
rate should be fixed on basis that would
render the Spring Valley Water Company
sufficient return for running expenses
and taxes, interest on the bonded in
debtedness, and per cent dividend on
the capital stock of the corporation.
Supervisor Dimond submitted resolu-
ton embodying the above, and it was sup
ported by Supervisors Taylor and Hobbs,
Chairman Morgenstern and Supervisor
Benjamin voted against the recommends
ton.
1t was also agreed by a like vote that the
hydrant rate should be increased from
81 so to $40 per annum.
Should these recommendations of the
committee be adopted by the Board of
Supervisors the cost of water to the con-
sumner will be reduced $117,000 per annum
on the rates, and the difference will be paid
by the city in the matter of hydrants.
The hydrants are maintained by the city,
and are therefore paid for through taxa
ton. By increasing the hydrant rate it is
be assessed unjustly, while the consumer
who rents his house is materially bene-
flied. On the whole the income of the
Spring Valley Water Company will not be
affected.
Supervisor Dimond is anxious that the
poor people should have plenty of water
for domestic purposes without having to
pay exorbitant rates. He expressed him.
self strongly in favor OF wiping out the
extra rate for bathtub and drainage pur-
poses, and had the sympathy of the board
in this particular, though no action was
taken in the matter.
These little extras average 65 cents a
month to dwelling, and the charge was
considered an unnecessary burden to the
consumer.
An opinion from City and County At
torney Creswell, who says that the city has
not the power TO create a special fund for
the purpose OF paying demands for water
supplied for municipal purposes, was read
as follows:
The power of the municipality of the city
and county of San Francisco TO raise money
for municipal purposes by taxation is derived
from the act of the Legislature of the State
known as the consolidation act, and the acts
amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto.
These acts also require that the revenue OF the
city and county shall be divided into specific
funds, and for what purpose each shall be used.
The Legislature has not given permission to
vary these requirements elmer Dy aQQlDS
thereto or subtracting therefrom. Without
legislative permission it cannot be done.
There being no authority given the board by
the Legislature to provide for and create
water fund for the sole and only purpose of
paying demands for water supplied for munich
pal purposes no such fund can be created by
the board The effect of section of the act of
March, 1881, requiring that the water rates
shall be equal and uniform, is TO prevent Gus
toners OF the same class from being charged
different rates.
The objection cannot now be urged that in
asmuch as the meter rates and the house rates
are different in the ordinance, the rates
are not fixed as the constitution requires, be-
canse the Supreme Court in the case of the
Spring Valley Water Works VS.. the City and
County of San Francisco decided in 1890, held
that there may be one price for the consumer
who has meter and different price for the
one who has none.
In conclusion the City and County At
torney holds that the board cannot create
a water fund for the sole and only purpose
of paying demands for water supplied for
municipal purposes; that a sliding scale of
meter rates, based on the amount of water
used, is equal and uniform if all of each
class shall be charged the same rate, and
that water rates must be fixed by the
Board of Supervisors pursuant to the act
of 1881.
The committee adjourned to meet next
Wednesday evening.