The San Francisco call., 1895-07-19
DAsTARDLY CRIMES.

President Dingee's Charges Against the
Contra Costa Company.
The rival water companies of Oakland
have declared war to the knife, and Presi-
dent Dingee of the Oakland Water Com
pany yesterday made public statement
over his signature that will probably find
its way into the courts.
Among other things Mr.. Dingee says:
In the first place, for months the report has
been circulated industriously that the Alva-
rado water belt is of 6 limited capacity. There
is no truth in the statement, for trial OF a
third of a century ought 10 satisfy the greatest
doubter OF the permanency OF the supply; and
plus this, its quantity may be somew hat judged
when assure the people OF Oakland that those
who are opposing NE now have two great
pumps at work in property adjacent to our
water supply tract at Alvarado, and which
daily wastefully empties into the bay million
Of gallons of water, hoping thus to impair OF
flow Orestes Pierce, the manager OF tllc
Contra Costa Water Company, no later than
yesterday was on the ground at Alyarado su-
perviSng this Iule or ruin work
Hired agents of the Contra Costa Water Com
pany have been and are now circulating pieces
OF iron pipe filed with preparation OF lime,
which is said TO have come from water backs in
the stoves of houses which have been using
Alvarado water.
The rascals who have performed this nefari-
Gus work have not yet been traced, but there is
ample proof of the fact that they exist, and
offered.
Further evidence of the meanness OF our
rivals appeared upon the occasion Of an acci-
dent, owing to g defective casting, on the even
ing Of The Fourth OF July last. The Oakland
Water Company, in order TO add to the fire.
works display on Independence day, extended
its pipes TO the center OF Lake Merritt for the
purpose of an electric water fountain. Extra
pressure was put on the main for the event.
The result was q serious break. During the
few hours required for repairs, when our pipes
~frve 10 TArn INN
able fslsehoods were circulated by solicitors of
the Contra Costa Water Company.
However, the greatest crime of our opponents
in their efforts TO defeat the aims and objects
OF the Oakland Water Company is yet to be told.
For some DAYS we have been perfecting our
system at Alvarado. 1t was found that a
when lined with lead, would be of more lasting
character than iron or steel piping, and our
watershed at Alvarsdo was accordingly thus
equipped. Where this hume crosses some
what submerged creek it was OF necessity left
UNPROTECTED, pending the construction OF the
work, and the iendish depravity OF our OPP
4ponents may be imagined when, on Monday
night, two 6-inch round holes were bored
into the fume, so that the rising tide found its
way into our pumps. Shavings and chips
were in sight upon the banks of the creek, an
evidence Of some ones Internal rsscallty.
Several hours passed before the despicable
work was discovered, and there was not time
enough TO prevent the brackishness In the
water supplied to the Inhabitants OF oakland,
Tuesday and Wednesday, which was caused by
the mixture of the fresh water from the wells
and the salt water from the bay. Who per-
formed this rascally piece of work have not
vet discovered. It's purpose and who only
could be benefited must be surmised.
Mr.. Pierce was seen yesterday afternoon
and said he was not paying attention to
the tactics of his rivals.
]. II. T. Watkinson, accountant for the
corporation, professed to know very little
of any pumping stations at Alvarado.