The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-09
THEIR OPINIONS DIFFER.
Prominent Citizens Discuss
the Fixing of the Water
Rates.
TWO EXMAYORS DISAGREE.
The Merchants Association VIII
Investigate the Proposed
Increase.
TWO Ex-MAYoRs

The proposition under consideration by
the Water Committee of the Board of Su-
pervisors, by which the rates on water for
fire hydrants and sewer-fushing plugs
would be increased from 81 so to $40 a
month, promises to be perplexing and in
teresting before it is settled that is, if the
Supervisors will be influenced by public
opinion, which at this time is about evenly
divided. AS previously stated, the water
question is open for discussion through the
columns of the CALL by citizens who have
given the subject their consideration.
Ex-Mayors E. B. Pond and L. R. Ellert
both gave much of their attention to the
water question during their terms of Office.
yet they are opposed to each other on the
present proposition.
Mayor Sutro acknowledges that he is
still on the fence, not having had the time
to make a thorough investigation of the
facts and figures.
81 do not favor raising the rate on fire
hydrants from 81 30 to $10," said Mr.. Ell
lert. at simply means to impose more
taxes on the small property-owners, which
is not fair. AS to reducing the rate to
small payers, l am afraid that the reduc-
ton will not amount to much, as the rates
are down pretty low at present. The city
will pay the big rates, and the taxpayers
will have extra taxes to pay. l can't see
any gain to the community by a saving to
the small ratepayers-say or per cent
on their water bills and paying out from 5
to 10 per cent more on their taxes. In the
long run it will amount to the small prop
erty-holders paying for additional protec-
ton to the buildings and manufacturers
In the fire district downtown. When l
was Mayor | favored districting the city
and having higher water rates in the dan
gerous districts and the rates decreased in
the outside districts. No. don't think it
fair to the small property owners to make
this proposed change"
ExMayor E, B. Pond said that he be-
lieved in reasonable increase in the n.y.
drant rates. II don't think that $40 a
month is too high, although perhaps it
might be considered a trihe steep by many.
l am satisfied that the hydrant rate should
be increased, but the general ratepayer
must be the gamer by the change. don't
in the water company, but by so doing it
is with the belief that the small water
consumer would be benefited"
II am not prepared to discuss the ques-
ton at present" said Mayor Sutro. 81
want to get the facts and figures first, to
see who will be benefited by the change. l
will go over the figures with Supervisor
>,
before l make up my mind"
II am not favorably impressed with this
proposition of raising the rates on fire.
plugs" said William Alvord, president of
the Bank of California. There will be too
much opportunity for the water company
to pull and haul for an increase in the
number of hydrants. 1t will be the same
as with the street lamps.
"The more lamps the more pay for gas
and there are many lamps now where they
are not needed. The reduced water rate
to the property-owners would not COM
pensate for the increase in their taxes. I
say keep the city rate for hydrants at $3.50
and let the property-owners look after
themselves"
A. S. Baldwin of Baldwin & Hammond
favors the present rates. "To reduce the
cost of water to those in the outlying dis
tricts would result in the water company
declining to extend their water-pipe sys-
tenn out into places where water is sorely
needed. The Mission hills are suffering
for water, and even at the present rates the
water company will not lay pipes up to
those houses. I don't think the present
water rates are excessive"
F. W. Dohrmann, the president of the
Merchants Association, said that he had
not had time to look into.the subject. 1--WE
will not, however, let it pass unnoticed,"
said he. 81 will bring it up at the meet
ing of the association tomorrow evening,
and the association will take hand in the
matter, if we think that public interest
demands it,