The San Francisco call., 1896-07-25

half million it would be perfectly proper
and right. This amendment TO the origi-
nal motion was carried.
This charge of discrimination in favor
of corporations Is entirely unfounded.
Take any large piece of improved prop
erty in this City owned by a single indi-
vidual and compare the assessment Oh
that with the one made on corporation
possessions. 1t will be found by examin-
ing the assessment-roll that the corpora
ton property is assessed no lower proper
tionately than that Of the individual.
I'm regard to the San Francisco Gas
light Company's assessment The reduc-
ton of $4,000 made on their improve
ments was recommended by the Assessor,
who stated that the original assessment
was made under error and should be re-
duced.
"As to the reduction of $1,000, 600 on the
franchise of the Spring Valley Water
Company, it is a fact that they have no
franchise under the State law, which gives
every person or party the right to supply
cities and towns with light and water
without securing a franchise. All they
have to do is TO file with the Board of Su-
pervisors and Superintendent of Streets
blue print of the streets through which
they intend to lay pipes, and also file
bond with the Superintendent of Streets
to place the streets in the same condition
they were before.
"When the water rate was fixed this
year of the Spring Valley Water Com pany
all expenses, including taxes, repairs, lay
ing of new mains and building of new
works, were taken into consideration. In
that estimate of expenses for the next year
enough was allowed to pay per cent on
the stock. If an additional assessment of
81, 100000 were put upon them, amounting
to something like $25, 600 in taxes there
would be no provision for the raising of
this $4,000. The stockholders would
have to suffer.
'sThese rates and the basis for them were
agreed to between the Supervisors and the
water company.
Legal advice has been obtained on this
question, and we are informed that the
Spring Valley Water Company cannot be
compelled to pay any taxes on its fran
cbise, as it has never had any in reality.
eve don't believe that the interviews
published in the Examiner are true. Su-
pervisor Taylor emphatically denies that
he made any such statement as publish ed
in the Examiner ana attributed to him to
any reporter. In that statement Super
visor Taylor was made to say that we
should be indicted and turned out of
office.
'Nor is there any truth in the state
ment published in the Examiner and pur-
porting to have been made by President
Dohrn ann of the Merchants Association,
as this letter will show"
At this point Supervisor Hughes took
letter from the inner pocket of his coat
and handed it to the interviewer. 1t
read as follows:
SAN FRANCISCO, July "a, 1896.
bon. E. C. Hughes, Member of the Board Of
Supertis0Ts-DEAR SIR: My attention has been
called to an article headed "Should Be Driven
From Office published in to-day's Examiner
over my alleged signature. In justice to the
nafo inn Iuhi Dar fba tn ror.r
sent permit me TO state that the above article
was neither written, signed nor inspired by
me, and that as matter OF fact was not in
terviewed on this subject at ali.
The Merchants Association was organized to
endeavor to advance the material conditions
of San Francisco without in any way engaging
in politics. 1t has been rule adopted by its
part IN any controversy of public character
unless previously discussed and decided upon
by the board of directors of this association.
The above matter has not been brought to
their notice or consideration, and the entire
responsibility of the publication, therefore,
rests with the Examiner.
A committee has just called upon the editor
of the Examiner TO ascertain how the un-
authorized publication occurred. An imme-
tion are promised, which will be made public
without delay. In the meantime it seems fair
that the above explanation should now be
given to you. Respectfully yours,
4. w. DoHRMANS,
President Merchants Association.
Concluding, Supervisor Huehes said
"a similar letter was received by each of
the seven accused mem bers OF the board. :"