The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-07

care you in the gallery?" queried the
Mayor, quite solemnly, and Schussler ad-
mitted that he was not.
After some further words Lake MERGED
came up, and the engineer said that it was
not now in use, and before it would be
used again it would have thorough over
hauling.
1.-THE Board of Health will make sure
that it is, snapped the Mayor, land will
analyze the water every few weeks, too"
call right" said Schussler, as he retired.
George E. Booker, clerk in the Spring
Valley Company's office, was then called
and questioned as to the money which he
thought would be required to fit out the
works during the coming fiscal year. He
agreed with Mr.. Schussler as to the $500, 800
and also the 81, 729, 500.
''Will rates under the present order pro-
duce that amount?" asked Mr.. Taylor.
NO. replied the witness.
A long examination then followed as to
the meter proposition and the methods OF
the company regarding them. Mr.. Taylor
wanted to know why rates could not be
uniform throughout for all families. He
seemed to think that general meter sys-
tenn would be best.
In response to question Mr.. Booker
said it would cost about 5000, 600 to meter
the city, and that it would cost $50, 900 a
year to keep them. With meters, though,
people would be more careful with water.
and in order to keep up to a paying basis
rates would have to be advanced
After Mr.. Booker had been relieved a
communication from John A. Miller. Md,
was read. 1t set forth that present water
rates were extortionate, and that as long as
the city did not own its own water works
the citizens have right to expect that
their purchase of water may be on the
same business principles which govern
f1oJ n, hot
is set the consumer be allowed to pay
for the amount he uses.
The present ordinance should be
amended by striking out the meter
charges and inserting a uniform rate of 20
cents per 100 cubic feet for water fur
nished by meter rates. The section pro.
viding that no meter bill shall be less than
81 was termed arbitrary and tyrannical.
As to meter rates, the language of the law
is plain that they must be uniform. The
statute is violated if the small consumer is
required to pay 80 cents for 100 cubic feet
while another, who uses larger quantity,
only pays Is cents per cubic feet The ex-
pectation of the water company to charge
by measurement without furnishing the
measurement is ridiculous, concludes the
communication.
The communication was filed, after
which Attorney Kellogg made his argu-
ment in behalf of the water company He
reviewed all the testimony, and said all the
company wanted to make was 6per cent on
its stock, interest on its bonded debt (say
AZ per cent?, operating expenses and
money to pay, its taxes. The present Or
dinance would not produce q sufficient
amount, and a cut would have to be made
somewhere. The company could not ask
for raise in rates, An ordinance should
be passed similar to the present one, or one
in some form which would produce the in
come of last year. He denounced the as
sertions that the water was impure as
libelous.
Denis Kearney spoke briefly urging that
values, which would benefit the poor and
compel the rich to pay their just dues.
The committee then adjourned until
Monday next.