The San Francisco call., 1897-04-06
FIRST MESSAGE Of
MAYOR THOMAS
Very Significant S.ate-
ment About the
Water War.
Unless the City Buys a Plant
the Money Losing Rivals
Will Combine.
Other Sections of the inaugural Ad.
dress DIAL With Gener alities
More Than Details.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANcIsco CALL,

message to the City Council this evening.
There is nothing of any particular mo-
ment in the message except the section
relating to water. The remarks of his
Honor in this connection may justly be
regarded as significant, as they clearly
| outline policy that has not yet been
| touched upon by any predecessor in the
| Mayors office.
There is no doubt that Mayor Thomas
| remarks regarding the present rate war
between water companies is destined to
| have far-reaching effect.
His message in full is as follows:
The Auditor has furnished me with an esti-
mate which is herewith transmitted, showing
| the condition of the municipal funds under
| the control of the Council, as the same will
appear at the close of the e cal year, June 80,
1897 This report very clearly indicates that
II All OF the taxes levied for that year could be
collected, and no expenses other than those
now authorized or absolutely necessary are
incurred between now and June 80, there will
| still be net deficit of $36 AZ. but the alarm.
| ing feature OF this report is ntained in the
brief statement that all of the taxes levied Tor
| that year will not be collected. There fs
| now due and unpaid $780, and the Auditor
estimates that the delinquency both in
| stallments of taxes will be $4,000. AS these
| taxes. which under the laws of the State OF
California will not be collected for five
years or more, the sum so delinquent must
| therefore be deducted from the amount avail
| able from the fund and added TO the deficit
| stated iD the Auditors report This increases
the deficit to $l2 036 AZ. With these figures
1 staring us in the face it is scarcely necessary
| to urge economy as a watchword.
| Happily, contracts have not teen definitely
made with respect 10 all of the expenditures
| authorized by your predecessors, and it is
| therefore possible to hold in abeyance some
| of the proposed Improvements, until the con-
| dition of the municipal treasury justifys their
| further consideration.
BOND REDEMPTION.
| The neglect since 1882 to adequately provide
| for the redemption OF the bouds known as
| 1.-THE Redemption Bonds of 1882 has fortu-
| nateIy resulted in no serious injury to the
municipality up to the present Time. These
| called in at once. The necessary sum might
| be ra ised by tax levy by April 1. 1898, and the
outstanding bonds retired, but such course,
| involving as it would an increase in the tax
levy OF 81 cents on The 500, would be neither
| wise nor just.
There is another ana more prudential
| method for adjusting this question, which is
su omitted for your Consideration.
| The refunding OF these bonds was duly
authorized at a special election held August
| 81, 1895. BY an act OF the late Legislature,
there has been provided plain method OF
/ procedure In respect 10 such transactions, and
the Council should. in my judgment, inme-
1 diately proceed under the power now vested
| in it 10 accomplish this end. The acts and
| powers OF The Council TO nix The length OF time
| 1or which such bonds should run, not to
exceed forty years-serial bonds running
! twenty years-would, in my judgment, meet
| with the approval of the taxpayers and be
| acceptable as will to purchasers of bonds.
The Legislature has also enacted statute
| providing for the destruction of unsold bonds,
! and your attention is directed 10 the fsct that
ing unsoid, because of the uncertain legality
| of their issue, which should be destroyed as
! provided by this statute.
WATER.
| Municipal ownership of water works is in
| my judgment, destined TO become a fixed
policy III America. The conditions prevailing
| in this cit y ia respect to our water supply is
most curious and unnatural. That 1t will
continue is contradicted by reason and expe-
| rience. Two water companies struggling for
| supremacy are engaged in rate war which
| sumer unparalleled in our States history
| Both of these corporations claim to be suffer-
Ing great losses in money at prevailing rates.
This statement may be accepted as true, but it
| is equally true tnat these losses, whatever
| they may be, will ultimately find their way
into the bonded Indebtedness of the COM
panies, and the consumer will be compelled
| 10 pay not only interest on the present losses
but eventually the principal as well. Indi-
viduels may quarrel forever, put 1t is q law of
property unwritten, but irrevocable, that hos
| tile moneyed interests invariably prefer to
bury their hatreds and come together for join
proft at the public's expense. rather than suf-
| fer continued losses.
| In the nature of things these corporations
must consolidate. or both be absorbed by a
| day comes this city and the Oakland water
| consumers will likely be at war again with
one water com mpany. Such prospect is not
inviting, but 1t seems inevitable. Indeed high
| rates are and must be the natural sequence to
prevailing conditions. Prudence urges me 10
| suggest that the question of municipal owner
ship receive at us early date as possible your
careful and earnest atten ton. Nothing of
| course, can be done without submission OF the
question TO the people, but preliminary steps
| incalculable benefit. Perhaps delegation of
| representative citizens can be found who NAV
be induced 10 &c. to the bottom Of the ques-
1 A ~ ify
] citizen, l would be pleased to act in any
capacity that would give the subject research
| should be seriously considered and discussed
by the public ana the press, as we'll as by your
selves.
STREETS.
| Standing at the threshold OF my official life
| 1t would be presum ption TO attem pit to outline
| a complete and thorough review of this most
| important branch of our government II is
| certain, however, that repairs should be kent
| up with unremitiing zeal and diligence unlass
| the vast sums OF money heretofore expended
| be practically wasted ana go Tor naught.
| Meanwhile we should proceed rapidly but
| cautiously with street improvements. Prom
| erty-owners should come to realize that
modern improv ements and material advance
ment in realty values are only possible along
well-paved streets. Many of cur citizens are
deeply interested in good roads and have
given to this subject much study and research.
| 1t is my purpose to avail myself of this infor-
| ma ton, and EN- body such suggestions as ex-
perienee may approve IN a future message.
PARKS.
Our city is not blessed with great park but
such as we have are a matter of continued and
increasing expense. In my Judgment we
should set about to procure from some skiilful
specialist plat of each of the citys parks ac.
companied by distinct and definite plan for
| future Improvements Such a proceeding
would inject something of method into our
park expenditures and appropriations here
after made won d go toward the consumrna-
| ton of specific definite and permanent im-
provement according to the accepted plan.
Haphazard expenditures, suggested by caprice
or by passing desire to do SO me thing for
| ward, are not productive of tangible or salts
factory results The above plan is therefore
| suggested for consideration.
WATER FRONT.
Our duty with respect to the water front
| litigation is SO plain that 1t scarcely needs
pointing out Our case rests with the courts
| and Is in the hands Of eminent and able al
| torneys.
To falter in pushing our claims to this great
property would not only be cowardice but
contemplate and unforgivable treachery as
we'll. We are pledged as citizens and public
officers to maintain the stand taken by our
predecessors, and it is our bounden duty to
| fortify our legal counselor, and ever be pre-.
pared to maintain and defend our right to the
courts of last resort
In all matters pertaining to labor or public