The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-02
be held to see if two-thirds of the voters favor
the issuance of bonds 10 raise the money to pay

be held to see if two-thirds of the voters favor
the issuance OF bonds 10 raise the money to pay
for the works.
Suppose. however, all these difficulties
surmounted and the two elections decided
afirmatively, then would come the question of
the issuance OF the bonds The constitution
requires that no bonds shall be issued for
longer period than twenty years, nor until
proper provision is made for their payment
within that time and for the interest as it falls
due. Twenty years bonds would therefore
necessitate taxation to the amount of 3 per
cent per annum for sinking fund, and say
per cent for interest, making 8 per cent in all,
which on So, 600 600, the lowest estimate of
cost would come to $3.50 600 every year for
twenty years; and certainly for: FIVE years
would be no revenue from the water works.
This is certainly moderate estimate both of
time and money required for the undertaking.
The. park water works, belonging to the
City, is capable of supplying a much larger
quantity OF water than is now required for the
uses for which it was constructed. Sufficient
distribution pipes are in place throughout the
park and through the. panhandle as far east as
Baker street. The pumps are now never
probably raise double the number OF
gallons discharged at this time into
the reservoirs, which in their turn are abund-
antly able to receive it. We have it on the
authority OF the Park Commissioners and of
eminent engineers, who have made special
study OF the subject that the supply is mex
means be exhausted, just as we would
say of the Pacific Ocean that the supply was
inexhaustible. AS for the quality Of the water
any one can judge for himself who will take
| drink from any of the numerous hydrants
| placed in the park for that purpose.
| What is to prevent the Park Commissioners
| from selling to private consumers that portion
| OF the water their works can furnish over and
| above what is needed for their own purposes2
If they had superfuity of wood from trees
| cut down or trimmed, or raised more plants
| than they had immediate need OF, they would
sell them, and their authority to do SO would
not be questioned. Why not sell the superiuous
IN W q QXypr Nr1I n
| be required for the purpose.
| Streets upon both sides of the panhandle for
eight blocks are built upon, and new houses
are constantly going up. The owners of these
| houses would gladly make connection with the
park pipes If the rates were reduced to one half
| of what they now pay, and the Park Commits
| sionerS could derive an immediate and consid-
| cradle income from one-haf the rates now ex-
acted and IL would nearly all be clear profit,
as the water would cost only the addi-
tional expense OF pumping which with the
the plant in place would be merely nominal.
| When the panhandle residents were all served
! other streets convenient to other lines of pipe
would add to the list of the consumers of cheap
water and increase the monthly revenue. The
/ income as it increased could be used to lay
| larger mains, If REQUIRED, and also put down
| new pipe on Haight street to Market and to
| the City Hall or elsewhere, and consumers all
| along the line would hasten to take advantage
OF the reduced rates, still further increasing
| the revenue and furnishing funds for sinking
| new wells and erecting new tanks and reser-
voirs as required. The City owns several ele-
| VAteu sites suitable 1Or reservoirs ana stand
| pipes could be placed upon other City property.
Much of this work could be done and much
| OF this income guaranteed during the time
needed to hold the elections and raise the
money to build new works, should it be de-
| cided to do so.
The question of the quantity of artesian
| water, which some persons still profess to
| doubt, Notwithstanding the evidence recently
| collected upon the subject, would be by this
| means definitely settled almost without cost,
| for the income from water would pay for new
wells as they were needed, and the experience
already gained of the existence of unsuitable
water In certain localities would enable us to
! avoid them and sink our wells only at such
| points where the water has been proved to be
| pure.
The Park Commissioners have heretofore ex-
| pended the funds intrusted to. them judi
| ciously and, what is of still greater impor-
| lance, honestly, and the people would be quite
| satisfied to leave the water-works construction
| in their hands. If any question should arise
| In regard to their power, 1T could easily be set
| right by the next Legislature.
And in the course OF couple OF years we
| would be able to judge without expense If the
| artesian system was feasible, and, if so, Just
what it would cost to introduce it through the
| entire City, and then we could go to the voters
| asking for the issue of bonds for q far less
| amount than would be needed either to buy
| existing works or to bring water from dis
| lance. And the evidence of the existence of
| artesian water in sufficient quantities is now
sufficient to fully justify the suggested expert
| ment.
And If the suggestion has the effect of caus-
| ing the subject to be discussed and agitated
| among the people its purpose will have been
| accomplished. JAMES ]. ROBBINS.