The San Francisco call., 1896-03-11

the successful execution of the doctrine of mu-
nicipal ownership of public utilities. The first
is q safe and sure method of raising the neces-
sary municipal bonds for the purpose The
second Is the proper means and necessary ma
chinery to carry out the project.
AS to the proposition of bonding the City for
needed and permanent Improvements, the
constitution of the State OF California, as we'll
as the present consolidation act of this City,
prescribe certain restrictions and limitations.
1t sh ould also be carefully remembered that
the legality OF issuing municipal bonds in this
City is by no means certain. Opinions of those
well versed In the subject differ, and the valid
ity of such an issue would have to be submit
ted 10 the Supreme Court of the State. 1t has
that an issue of municipal bonds by the City of
San Francisco under existing laws would be
held to be unconstitutional by the courts.
AS to the proper means and necessary ma
chtnery for successfully carrying out munich
pal ownership of public utilities at the present
time there can be no difference of opinion.
certainly prove most unwise to make the at
tempt. To throw the question of municipal
ownership of public utilities into the hands of
the present officials under present conditions
would be to risk The entire success of the prob
lem. 1t Is in this dilemma that the proposed
new charter comes to the relief of those who
sincerely believe in the principle of municipal
ownership.
The new charter not only furnishes the nee
essary machinery, but even points out the
proper course for the successful execution of
utilities. Articles XIV, section 16 of the new
charter provides for the issuance of bonds by
the City for permanent public Improvements
in accordance with article XI, section 1s of
the constitution of California, as amended in
1892. Under this provision the legality of
issuing bonds by the n unicipality becomes a
certainty. This section provides that the ques-
ton may be submitted TO the qualified electors
by an affirmative vote of not less than nine
members of the board. The other portion of
the section is simply repetition of the present
constitution of California, article XII section g.
as amended in 1892. and the act of the Legis-
lature commonly known as 1.-The municipal in
debtedness act" 1t thus appears that the only
difference between the present laws governing
this subject and the new charter is in the re-
quirement of one additional vote in the Board
of Supervisors to determine the question sub
mittlng the proposition to the qualified elec-
tors of the City and County.
The great advantage, however, gained by the
provision in the new charter relative to the
Issue of bonds is that It makes the legality of
new charter, when adopted, Wilt supplant all
present laws governing the City and County OF
San Francisco that may be inconsistent with
it. OF course, the constitution OF the State, as
well as the constitution of the United States is
paramount.
One OF the strongest points presented by the
new charter in favor OF municipal ownership
is in nffording the necessary machinery by
which the principle can be put into successful
execution. There is no case on record where
municipal ownership has been put into sue
CeSSful prdctlce IN any CITY IN the United
States that has done SO without board OF
public works or special commission with
similar powers. In very few cases the at
tempt has been made TO adopt municipal own
ership without this necessary machinery, and
it has equally proven abortive or resulted in
the immediate creation and Inauguration of q
new city charter.
The new charter proposed for this City fur
nishes the proper means and necessary ma
chinery for carrying out the principle Of mu-
nicipal ownership in article II, chapter 1, sec
ton 64, and article vi, chapter 1, section 8.
The intention of those who made the two
separate provisions upon municipal ownership
in the new charter clearly points to the con.
clusion tnat the estimates Of value as made by
the Board of Public Works 'shall be submit
ted" to the voters.
In conclusion it must be apparent to any
one who will study the foregoing provisions in
the new charter with care and fairness that
the proper method and necessary machinery
are clearly and certainly provided for carrying
out practically and efficiently the various pur-
poses advocated in the doctrine of municipal
ownership of public utilities. The inference
therefore must be drawn that any one who
will persist in attacking the proposed new
charter upon such fallacious grounds does sc
without regard for its provisions or the inten
tions of it's trainers. The sincere advocates o1
municipal ownership are now confronted with
a splendid opportunity of having their cher
ished doctrine carried out in the successful
adoption OF the proposed new charter. It be.
hooves them as well as all citizens Of this
municipality, under whateves political, com,