The San Francisco call., 1896-02-28
THE ALAMEDA TRUSTEES,
Courts Asked to Enjoin Them
From Enlarging the Elec-
trio Plant.
Recapture Of a Chicken-Thief Who
Jumped From a Train at
Full Speed.

ALAMEDA, CAL, Feb. PA complaint
was filed in the Superior Court to-day that
will make stir in Alameda John T,
Fleming appears as petitioner, and prays
for an order OF court restraining the Board
of Municipal Trustees from carrying on
certain contracts, involving the expendi-
ture of a large sum of money to enl arge
the municipal electric plant for the chief
purpose OF engaging in the business OF fur
nishing commercial lights to private con-
sumers. The petitioner represents himself
to be a prope-ty-owner and taxpayer; that
the only appropriation necessary for the
maintenance of the electric works is one
which would meet the cost of operating
and necessary repairs; but the Municipal
Trustees, in fixing the tax levy for 1895 So
largely increased the rate for the purpose
OF purchasing the power and appliances
so that artificial light may be sold to
househoIders and residents; that it is in
tended to eXpend sum approximating
$4,000 for this increase; that the city has
called for proposals to erect buildings, in
stall machinery, ETC., and unless restrained
from entering into such contracts it Will
be compelled to defend multiplicity of
lawsuits owing to the illegality Of said
contracts; that the Municipal Trustees
have not by ordinance passed by two
thirds vote submitted to the electors the
proposition to SO increase the electric
works, and by reason of these facts the pe-
tltloner and other taxpayers are irrepara-
bly, injured.
The move is not backed by any consider
able number of taxpayers and its sign;fi-
canoe is not understood. The board has
already let contracts approximating $20,-
0C0, but no work has yet commenced.
There was expended last year in expan-
sions the sum of $4,000, and with this ad-
dition, it is claimed. will so increase the
incandescent plant that enough light may
be sold to pay for what the municipality
uses. When the tax levy was made last
October the rate of 1.22 was decided upon
One dollar on the $100 would have met all
the usual requirements and there was great
dissatisfaction that the rate should have
been so high. The reason of the increase
was kept secret at the time and it did not
transpire till some time after that the extra
fund to be raised was to be put into addi-
tions to the electric light,
Criminal Recaptured
ALAMEDA, CAL, Feb. 27.-Pollce Off
Ger Moebus to-day arrested in San Fran
cisco prisoner who escaped from his Gus
tody on the Sth of January last. On that
date he was detailed 10 watch for chicken
thieves, who were devastating the hem
roosts in the westerly part of the city. At
O'Clock in the morning of the day men,
toned he found man travelling toward
the city on the first narrow-gauge train
with basket of chickens in his posses
sion. The thief was arrested on the way
out to the landing and kept aboard the
train until the return trip was begun.
About $50 yards from the landing the
prisoner made a dash for liberty, rushing
through the car door and jumping from
the train while it was at full speed and
disappearing utterly. 1t was not yet light
enough to distinguish clearly. How the
man esca ped death as he alighted on the
ties is mystery, but he did not seem 70
have been injured even, for Officer Moebus
found him at the Clay-street Market this
morning with his customary basket OF
chickens, which he had presumably got
in the same way in which he had acquired
those in Alameda. He is now in the City
Prison, with charge of burglary against
him. He gives his name as ]. Doughtery.
Brief Me ntion.
Constable c. VI. Day was married YES
terday to Miss Abbie n. Baker.
Jean G. Schmidt died at his home on
Haight avenue yesterday of cancer. He
was native of France, 66 years OF age and
quite well to do.
The fine Hamilton residence, northeast
corner Union street and Central avenue.
will be sold at auction March 8.