The morning call., 1895-02-21

Clarendon Heights. His houses were
vacant because he could not get water
supply for them.
Z. l.. Langeman and L. Hellwig, who
own property, spoke against the present
rates as exorbitant. J. Andres, who is the
owner of six flats at Eighth and Minna
streets, had a strong grudge against the
water company, saying that he had been
charged exorbitant rates for water. He
submitted several bills to show the status
OF his argument, which were inspected by
the committee.
A young man by the name of Warfeld,
who said he represented the working peo-
pie of the city, started in to read the COM
mittee lecture upon political economy, in
which he sought to show that corporations
were draining the life blood out Of the tax
PAYERS of the city in the interest of Euro
psan bondholders, but as his remarks had
no bearing upon the water question he was
requested to 'cut it short"
AS there were no more speakers in be-
half of the rate-payers, Attorney Kellogg,
as representative of the water company,
was asked to introduce what testimony he
had. He asked whether the committee
wanted to go into extensive details or sim
ply wanted plain facts.
Chairman Taylor said he thought the
latter would do and the committee
agreed.
by asking what the Spring Valley Water
Company's plant consisted of.
Mr.. Kellogg said that that matter would
be gone into later. He then called George
e. Booker,.a clerk in the water company s
Office, and spreading out before him the
annual report of the company for the past
year. proceeded to question him concern
ing it. 1t showed that the receipts for the
year had been from private consumers
81 ISL, 484 60. From the city there had been
received $96,s46 33. In theway of rents
from lands and other sources the company
had received $26054 63.
The witness was then questioned as to
wastage penalties, and said that con-
supers were allowed so per cent leeway
under the ordinance, and if the waste did
not amount to dollar it was seldom
charged.
Mr.. Booker examined the bills presented
by Mr.. Andres and said that they were cor
rect in every particular.
"Of late years" said Mr.. Booker, ''the
collection for penalties has fallen off.
Formerly only 10 per cent leeway had been
only about 5000 had meters. Where there
were no meters in house no track was
kept of waste water"
How about public buildings?" asked
the Mayor.
1--WE have no meters for them. As to
public squares our charges are on basis of
the square yards in the parks, and the
schedule of irrigation is u cent per square
yard"
How was it last December, when it
rained twenty two days, that the company
charged the city for water for the streets ?'
queried Mayor Sutro.
"Well, some years ago City Attorney
Flournoy decided that if the city did not
notify the company that the water was not
wanted it would not be turned off, and that
in consequence it must be paid for.
The Mayor said nothing, but later added
regarding the matter that he thought it
would be more just to the city to have
meters, and thereby measure all city sup
plies of water.
Attorney Kellogg then resumed his ex-
animation of Mr.. Booker as to the water
company's statement. Supervisor Benja-
min also asked several questions as to the
methods of keeping the accounts.
The committee finally adjourned to meet
to further consider the subject on some
day, the date of which will be fixed at next
Mondays meeting.