The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-06
Unequivocal Pledges Given by
Supervisors to Lower
Water Rates.
IS A CAUSE OF CONTENTION.
Promises We're Given to
the Non-Partisans.

rates precipitated free fight at the Dem
ocratic Convention and it entirely infu-
| enced the choice for Supervisors on the
Republican and Non-Partisan tickets.
A reduction of water rates was demanded
| by citizens of all classes and was promised
| by all parties. But many citizens now
fear that the promises were made for
naught This fear is openly expressed on
| all sides and is coupled with terms of op-
probrium for the men who are credited
with the assurance of openly breaking an
important pledge and sacrificing the well
| fare of their constituents for the benefit of
a corporation.
Among the Democrats little surprise is
| manifested at the turn affairs have taken.
| They expect Supervisor Dimond to stand
by the platform upon which he was elected
Eugene Deuprey, who presided at the
Democratic convention, recounted little
of its history yesterday. His narration
| proves how largely the matter of water
| rates influenced the members of that
| body.
In the Democratic platform as originally
prepared was the following in regard to
this matter:
! We demand material reduction in the
rates charged to the rate-payers OF the City for
| the use and consumption of water, and we
| favor and approve the basis of settlement of
| this vexed question which was proposed in
| February last in the Board of Supervisors
namely, that rates be fixed at such figures as
will yield to the company its running eX-
| penses and taxes, interest on its bonded in
| debtedness and dividend of per cent per
annum on its capital stock. We think that
| arrangement, in view of the certainty Of the
! investment and the assured nature of the bust
ness of the company, is Just, fair and equitable
| to all the parties in interest, and we pledge
our Supervisors TO adopt it as the policy of the
board and as permanent principle and cri-
| terion for fixing water rates.
This started a terrific row that lasted
two days. P. NJ. Wellin claimed the re-
| quirements were too vague. He wanted
| the Supervisors pledged to make 10 per
cent reduction all round. Andrew Clunie
wanted the committee on platform to fix
schedule of rates. The discussion became
very bitter.
| CIunie's motion was voted down and
| Wellin, calling attention to the fact that
| Captain Marye, who had introduced the
resolution embodied in the platform,
| claimed that it would effect reduction of
| 16 per cent on present rates, moved that
the Supervisorial candidates be pledged to
| effect reduction of Is per cent.
The resolution went through with a
| hurrah. Only one negative vote was
| heard. 1t came from weak-lunged dele
| gate from the Twerty-eighth District and
| was not counted.
Then Mr.. Deuprey appointed commit
| tee of twenty-three to choose twelve super
visorial candidates. These men were of
| the highest character. They heard all
| the candidates who wanted to be chosen.
Each was catechized severely. Among
| those who came before the committee
were Messrs. Scully, Wagner and Hirsch,
who are now members of the board. They
all promised, if nominated, to adhere to
the pledges of the platform. They were
questioned particularly about the "water
rate" plank, and all promised to secure the
| desired reduction if given a chance.
But the affiliations of Scully, Wagner
and Hirsch were too forbidding. They
we're not approved. Twelve men were
picked out and agreed to by the entire COM
mittee of twenty-three.
Later John began, one of its members,
was induced to present a minority report.
In it eight of the original number were re-
named with four new men. A compro-
mise resulted in the choice of three of the
four men proposed by Degan. These were
the men named above.
In speaking of them yesterday Mr.. Deu-
prey said:
"Mr. Hirsch I think, has allowed his
business affairs to influence him. As for
Mr.. Scully and Mr.. Wagner l have no
hope. They are committed to the boss in
| fuence to which they owe their nominal
ton and election. Mr.. Dimond is all
right"
Mr.. Deuprey was not hopeful of any
change in the four Democratic Supervisors.
| The county organization of the party is in
hopeless muddle. The influences con-
trolling it are enigmatical Even if it
could be called together it would be doubt
| full how it would act, and Mr.. Deuprey
| thought it would not take action.
'There can be no doubt though" Mr..
Deuprey said emphatically, that each of
the Democratic Supervisors promised to
reduce water rates Is per cent. 1t was on
| this assurance they were elected and this
action will be expected of them"
| Senator Fay does not entertain the same
opinion of Supervisor Scully as does Mr.
| Deuprey. He said last night:
~ know Scully well. He's as straight
as can be, but he's simple. He's perfectly
honest, but he's yielding to wicked and
corrupt influences that control him.
Before election he came to me and
said: Mr.. Fay, my boy wants me to run
for Supervisor. But l don't want to do it.
1 told him he was wise and advised him to
keep out of the fight. But he went in and
you see the result"
1t is said that Supervisors Taylor, Dun
ker, Hughes and Hobbs, who were elected
by the combined Republican and Non
| Partisan vote, have denied that they agreed
to support the plank in the Non-Partisan
platform promising a reduction of 10 per
cent in water rates. Arthur f. Briggs, the
secretary of the County Committee, is sure
that they did.
When they were chosen by the conven-
tion," he said yesterday, 81 sent each of
them copy of the platform, with re-
quest that it be signed at once. Mr.. Tay-
| lor and Mr.. Hughes complied without hes
itation. Mr.. bunker and Mr.. Hobbs came
down that night to object.
"They said it would be impossible to eff
| feet reduction of 10 per cent in water
rates. They didn't think such thing
should be attempted.
"Mr. Magee. the chairman of the COM
mittee. told them that they must agree to
the platform or have their names taken off
| the ticket. He reminded them that it
would be impossible for the campaign
| committee to undo the work of the con-
vention.
"The two gentlemen had short confer
ence. Then they retired to small ante
room and signed the platform before leav-
| ing the building"
Mr.. Briggs said no answer had been re-
ceived to the notice sent the four Super
visors of the pledge they were expected to
keep. He hopes that the desires of his
party will be complied with.