The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-09-18

for removal from Office. The Code provides for
the removal of officers for willful corrupt
neglect of the duties of their offices, and in
this case the evidence seemed so plain that &C
ton had to be taken by the Grand Jury.
Attention is caIled to the waste which
prevails owing to the present system
which allows anybody at the head of a de-
partment to order printing. 1t is sug-
gested that the entire business in this re-
spect should be placed in the hands of the
clerk of the Board of Supervisors.
WATER RATES FOR SHIPPING.
Complaints were made to the Grand Jury
that excessive charges for supplying water to
lessees from the Spring Valley Water Works.
A communication stating the facts was pre-
them in making water rates for the years
1S96-97 to reduce them to a fair and just rate
compared with other consumers. The
communication was never acknowledged OF
considered, but the former exorbitant rate
OF 81 70 per 1000 gallons was fixed, as was
the water rates for the entire City, at one
short session and without discussion. The
attention of the officers of the corporation was
called to the injustice done and they have
taken the supplying of water TO shipping into
their own hands and have already made de-
duction OF 80 per cent from the old rates
charged, with promise OF further reduction
as soon as the actual expense of furnishing
can be ascertained. The water company's
officers are to be complimented for greater at
tention to the wants of our citizens than our
own Board OF Supervisors.
The Grand Jury regards it disgraceful
that the City should have a floating in
debtedness; that it has not paid mer-
chants for supplies purchased n 1925
The report says: 1.-THE Grand Jury can
not recommend any specific line of action
on the part OF the City to pay its present
debt other than that the Election Com
missioners place it as a question on the
ballot for voting at the coming election"
The insufhciency of accommodation for
the insane is mentioned.
THE NEW CHARTER.
The Grand Jury recommends the adop-
ton of the new charter, present ting this ar
gument:
We recommend the adoption of the pro-
posed new charter TO the citizens of San Fran
can be had from the present corrupt and ex-
travagant political management OF municipal
affairs.
With the adoption of the new charter will
come an economical admins tration, by which
at least 80 per cent can be saved.
With tax rate not exceeding so or 80 cents
on the 500 assessed valuation of property
each year, prosperous change can be effected,
giving confidence to investors in manufactur-
ing enterprises, real estate and general busi-
ness
We recommend the necessary legislation to
insure home rule and freedom from inter-
terence and management in local affairs by
oJdIe appolntees.
HARBOR COMMISSION.
Citizens are urged to petition the Leg
islature IT, abolish the State Board of Har-
Dor Commissioners and to have the trust
in the management of our water front re-
turned to the City.
Concerning the rights of the United
States Government to improve the harbor
of San Francisco and remove sunken
rocks from the bay, the Grand Jury pre-
sents figures to show that the Govern
ment has only appropriated $4,000 for
this work, but has expended 81, $50, 900 on
an estuary in Alameda County.
Figures are adduced showing that duties
amounting to two hundred million dollars
have been collected at this port since the
State was admitted to the Union. 1t is
said that one rock has caused twenty-five
shipwrecks. The report says: 1.-THE Ma
tional Government claims Jurisdiction
over all our navigable waters and should
certainly afford such relief as is necessary
in the way of the removal of dangerous
rocks, the dredging of the harbor, and in
deed should undertake the building of the
bulkhead and save us from tax which is
too onerous for our commerce to bear"
A letter presenting these facts and con-
illusions has been sent by the Grand
Jury to Judge Mcguire, mem Der of Con-
gress from the Fourth District.