The San Francisco call., 1896-02-25

| Co. OF supplying ships with water will be
withdrawn by the company on or before
July next. The firm here mentioned
has had this monopoly on the water front
for fifteen years, and has regularly paid
the water corporation $1650 month for
the perogative.
In view of what has been published in
IHE CALL concerning the interview be-
tween the water committee of the Grand
Jury and Mr.. Schussler, the statement OF
the chief engineer possesses more than
passing interest.
Mr.. Schussler was seen at his residenc ce
last evening and said:
This question of supplying ships was
first brought to my attention by the Har-
Dor Commissioners long time before the
Grand Jury had anything to do with it,
The Commissioners introduced it, and, in
an interview with Harbor Commissioner
Colnon, | told him that the easy solution
would be for the commission to supply the
water at meter measurement and make
the collection. | took the responsibility
of saying that our directors would abolish
the contract with Goodall, Perkins 81 Co.
ii the Commissioners would perform the
service.
''Thereupon Mr.. Colnon referred the
missioners and the board received legal
advice against the proposition.
1.-THE version of the negotiations with
the Grand Jury, as published in THE
CALL" said Mr.. Schussler, ''is at least
premature. Some one whose knowledge is
not correct has been talking for cheap
glory, and | am sure it was not Mr.. Theo-
dore Payne. Now, / had an interview
with the water committee of the Grand
Jury, and the subject of supplying ships
was introduced. 1 did agree, speaking for
the company, that the relief desired would
be afforded. 1t is my recollection that I
met Messrs. Payne, O'Connor, Price and
Landers. 70 get the matter properly be-
fore the board Mr.. Payne put in writing
the request for our directors to adopt
When the directors met our ATTORNEY Mr..
kellogg suggested some changes in the
phraseoogy of Mr.. Payne's communica-
ton, and tnen in the absence of Charles
Webb Howard, the president, the matter
was referred to Mr.. Payson, our vice.
president, our attorney, Mr. kellogg, and
myself.
We ueI tDc UT3uu jury committee the
following day, and then for the first time
observed that the document drawn by our
attorney differed somewhat from tue one
dictated by Mr.. Payne. Meanwhile Mr..
Payson did not want to abolish the privi-
lege without first consulting Mr.. Howard
who was then in San Diego. Mr.. Howard
was accordingly advised by wire of the
negotiations, and l asked the Grand jury
committee to await his reply. This was
readily assented to and Mr.. Howard will
be home to-day or tomorrow.
1--WE have decided now to take this water
front service into our own hands and will
supply ships at meter measurement What
will be fair rate cannot be determined
until we ascertain the cost of the service.
but surely we will give the shipping a re-
duction equal to the profit made by the
firm of Goodall, Perkins & Co.
again the Supervisors" continued Mr..
Schussler, ''did take up the Grand jury
communication relative to water for ships.
and / agreed that the Water Committee of
the board should hereafter be consulted in
adjusting rates for shipping.
THE order fixing water rates should
have received twelve votes in the Board of
Supervisors, and it cuts no figure whether