The San Francisco call., 1896-02-23

him especial pleasure to redress any grlev-
ances existing. He commended the gen
tlemen of the jury for their wisdom and
judgment in thus presenting the case prl-
yately and IN confidence. speaking Tor
the water company; he assured the COM
mittee that it was the desire OF the cor
poration to esta blish and maintain friendly
relations with its patrons.
Thus encouraged the spokesman enum-
Grated the reforms desired. Mr.. Schussler
was confident that the directors of the
company would respect the wishes of the
Grand Jury. Finally one of the jurors
suggested that the matter should be put in
writing and this proposition received as
sent. The written resolution was intro
duced by preamble, setting forth the fact
that Goodall, Perkins d Co. had a monop
oily on the water front; that discriminat-
ing and onSAus tax for supplying ships
with water was levied. The resolution
following the preamble declared that the
special contract with GoQdall, Perkins &
Co. should be abrogated; that rates should
be reduced SO that the maximum price
for any ship supplied at this port would
not exceed the charges to other consumers.
Mr.. SChuSsler assured the committee
that the directors of the corporation
would hold q meeting at once and adopt
the resolution. Meanwhile the committee
received assurances also that the super
visors would join in efforts TO bring about
the desired reduction when the subject of
annual rates came up for action IN the
board.
To bring the matter directly to the at
tention OF the Supervisors the Grand Jury
on February 14th sent a communicat ton
to the board setting forth that IN the order
fixing water rates for the year ending June
50, 1895, "your honorable body allowed TO
be charged for shipping at the wharves
rate of 81 70 per 1000 gallons by water
measurement, which was greatly III excess
of the general rates"
Reference was made in the communica-
ton to the practice OF the water company
of farming out to Goodall, Perkins 81 Co.
the privilege of supplying ships. The
Supervisors were informed that this firm
was making arbitrary rates to consumers
greatly in excess of the rates allowed by
the order
In conclusion the Grand Jury wrote:
We, Therefore, request that IN making the
rates for the coming year, as you are 1mmed1-
ately about TO do, you viii take the above facts
mand that such rates shall be uniform for ali
for the same service. We also suggest that the
rates for water supplied to any vessel lying at
any wharf within the City limits shall be by
meter or tank measurement, and shall be
fixed and uniform, whether the same be sup
piled by any corporation, company, firm or in
diyidual, and that any charge or collection for
water in excess OF such rates shall be misde-
meanor.
After close and thorough investigation of
this matter, the Grand Jury respectfully sug-
gests that your honorable body will immedi-
ately act on this communication, and relieve
the shipping interests OF excessive rates and
unjust discrimination that is now apparent TO
the injury OF the commercial growth and
prosperity of the City.
FRANK MAsKEY, Chairman.
T. P. MCLENNAN, Secretary.
Friday afternoon, February IA, the
Grand Jury adjourned in happy frame
of mind. Members were confident that
the directors of the corporation would
meet on the following day and adopt the
suggestion of the committee. Confidence
was also expressed that the Supervisors,
perceiving the spirit of fairness manifested
by the water company, would acquiesce
and thus lift a grievous burden from the
commerce of the port.
To the utter surprise and bewilderment
OF the Grand Jury the Supervisors held a
forty-minute session on the following
Monday evening and re-enacted for the
year ending June so, 1897, the old, unjust
and discriminating water ordinance
against which the jury had so earnestly
protested.
The wrath and indignation of the Jurors
could not be suppressed in the iurv-room,
but for the sake OF keeping a sensation out
OF the papers the wrath was smothered for
a time. Then came the whisper, at first
subdued, that the directors of the COM
pany, ignoring the acts of Mr.. Schussler,
and placing that gentleman in false po-
sition, had not adopted the recommenda-