The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-08

own water works, running fifty years, Will
amount 70 good deal less than our present
yearly payments for water and will procure the
ownership by the city OF water works for future
generations, who are thus made 10 share In he
original cost. Besides that the evil influence
on The body polite In fixing annual water rates
Will be removed.
GAS AND ELECTRIC LIGHTS
Are also made, by the corporations furnishing
them. mediums OF extortiOn from our citizens.
Why should we not at some future day own our
own plants and sell gas and electric light at
cost price? The people d mand cooperative
prices, which can readily be procured by the
municipality.
PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Our.peculiar clmate-dry summers, accom-
D anied by high Withstand the fact that almost
an our dwelling houses are constructed of COM
Dustible mat, RIAL make San Francisco more
liable to general c0nf1agration than almost
any city In the Uni ed States. 1t is much to
the credit OF our Fire Department that we have
escaped such disaster for forty years.
This fact, however. should not lead us to re-
lapse into fanced security; we should strive to
Improve our Fire Department so as 10 make II
the most prompt and perfect in the land, under
the paid system, and 1t should be increased
from lime to time, as the growth Of tue city
demands.
OUR STREETS
Present lamentable aspect; they are patch
work OF all sorts of pavements from cobble-
stones TO bituminous rock. Property owners
must not be permitted to put pavements In
LiOhb vi tuCT premises as tn6lr FANCY may dc
tate, and railroad companies should be made
TO construct pavements between their tracks
In conformity with tn rest Of The street.
Inc efforts OF the Merchants Association to
procure clean streets deserve our hearty COM
mendations.
SEWERS.
Our sewer system is a disgrace to progress
slve community. The commission OF able
engineers authorized by one of The late Boards
OF supervisors should have been continued, but
polltlclans, Jebbers and dishonest contractors
Were 100 powerful to permit an honest and in
telllgent system 10 be Introduced.
opeclai attention Is called TO the desirability
OF not permitting volumes OF sewer gas to
escape at street corners. 1t should be carried
ovet lne tops OF the corner houses and there be
allowed TO escape.
HIGH LICENSE.
intemperance produces more crime and
misery tDan all other causes ombined and
.lne-tentbs OF the cases of intoxical Ion arise
from the sale of spirits for which high license
enoulu De exacted. Wine and beer might be
SOLO at lower license as they are comparatively
ilnnoxlous This has been demonstrated In
bps ts,,e oerlany ana other countries, where
out niue intoxlcation Is to be found Total
abstinence cannot be enforced In the larger
cities, as experience ha s abundauty proved.
DRINKING FOUNTAINS
should be provided in all parts OF the city. so
tndt thirsty people need not resort to liquor to
quench tneir thirst. They can be made very
simple and at small cost and would be Der g.
III, uot only 10 the men, but also a boon TO
HONIcH anu cDllQfen.
Free Waterinp-trouphs for animals shortd
also DC provided In suitable spots.
RETIRING PLACES
are necessity In all large cities and are found
10 most European and some American cities
s Ease nloaesty has heretofore prec luded the
discussion OF such subject here. Many men
Tor the Wani OF such are forced to enter public
places Wnere they otherwise never would be
seen.
TO BEAUTIFY THE CITY
Is duty OF every citizen owning prom rtv
very little heretofore has been done to that
emo. Iree-pianting in front Of every lot In the
residence parts, whether already built upon or
not should receive more attention.
Dracenas. acacias and cypress are fine orpa.
mental trees, well adapted 10 our climate and
Young plants can be bought for mere trIfie.
The former. by Its resemblance To The palm
tree, VIII give the city semi-tropieal appear
ance This subject should be taken hold of by
the Improvement clubs, which could hiring
property-owners together to adopt uniform
system Of tree-plantlng. Gardens In front Of