The San Francisco call., 1897-04-09
IT MAY MEAN A
I MUNICH Al PLAN
Mayor Thomas Message
Has Caused Citizens to
Think.
Victor Metcalf Says There Is
No Necessity for Any
Change,
President Dingee Declares That His
Plant Is FJr Sale Should the
City Want It.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL,
9OS Broadway, April S.

SOo broadway, April ..
President Dingee of the Oakland Water
Company made the startling announce
ment to-day that if the city wanted 10 buy
a plant his company is ready to talk busl-
ness.
The portion of Mayor Thomas inaugu-
raj which referred to the existing war be-
tween the water companies in this city
has caused much comment, as it is the
first time that the chief executive has
clearly advocated municipal ownership of
water works. Mayor Thomas said:
Tho conditions prevailing in this city
| in respect to our water supply are most
Ncurious and unnatural. That it will con-
tinue is contradicted by reason and ex-
perience. Two water companies strug-
Cling for supremacy are engaged in a rate
war which has brought about reduction
to the consumer unparalleled in our
States history. Both of these corpora
tions claim to be suffering great losses in
money at prevailing rates. 1t IS true that
these losses will ultimately ind their way
into the bonded indebtedness of the COM
pany, and the consumer W Ill be compelled
TO pay not only interest on the present
losses, but eventually on the principal as
well. 1t is law that hostile moneyed in
terests invariably prefer to bury their
hatred and come together for joint profit
at the public expense rather than suffer
continued losses"
Victor II. Metcalf, attorney for the old
company, the Contra Costa corporation,
said to-day that he sees no necessity for
municipal ownership in Oakland at this
time, When a company comes into a
CITY" said Mr.. Metcalf. "and establishes
u plant for supplying what l believe are
lab mi hliP nrilitiaa thav ehOnl1 ha
treated, as an encouragement 10 others to
come and do likewise. l do not see why
any one can say at this time that Oakland
needs municipal water plant. Judging
by what l hear and see, and by compari-
son with other parts of the State, l think
Oakland is about as well supplied with
water at this time as any one could de-
sire"
William ]. Dingee, the president OF the
Oakland Water Company, differs in his
views from Mr.. Metcalf. He is not particu-
larly anxious to discuss water matters for
publication. but when asked his opinion
OF Mayor Thomas statement he said:
There is no 0oubt whatever in my
mind that there is growing sentiment
in this country and especially in the Sta te
OF California in favor OF municipal owner
snip of such things as water and gas
hlants. L regard Mayor Thomas address
as very serious proposition, for it seems
t6 carry modern ideas one point further
thar any other Mayor We have had Re-
garding his remarks concerning the man.
ner in which capital will ultimately pro-
tect itself when brought to bay, do not
care to say anything. But l do think that
municipal ownership is bound to be a fac
tor in future politics of ali parties. All
over this State sentiment in its favor is
growing.
If this city should decide to own a
wafer plant there is no doub that she will
purchase some plant already in existence,
for 1t is absurd to suppose that with the
adequate water supply in Oakland at this
time any government would advocate the
building OF another plant If this city
wants 10 buy and operate water plant l
want to state clearly that we are out to
sell and now is good time for Oakland to
ACQUIRE new plant at low figure