The San Francisco call., 1897-02-18
MAJORS ON WATER RATES
Finds the Valuation Excessive and
Thinks the City Could Use the
Power for Other Things

ALAMEDA, CAL, Feb. 1.-THE state
ment made public that the water rates for
the ensuing year would be fixed by the
Board of Trustees at the same figure as at
present brings forth a lengthy criticism
from Green Majors. He claims Mr..
Thompson did not comply with the law
in not giving an itemized statement of
expenditures and receipts of past years.
he then continues:
According to his statements on fiIe for the
years 1891 and 1896 inclusive, he shows net
S02 4S. Reliable authority has shown thai a
water plant capable of furnishing Alameda
with 100000 gallons of water per day
(Which is, believe, nearly twice as much as
the city now uses) can be put in, complete,
with an allowance OF three mi es of pine line
to connect the city with q distant supply, for
from $500. 900 to $250,000 Mr.. Thompson's
works are not worth l cent more than it
would cost TO put in plant now that would
be ample for Alameda for years to come.
Allowing, then, that Mr.. Thomson water
works are worth the $3.50, 900 it would cost to
complete a mtllion-g n-gallun-a-day plant, and
allowing him per cent year on his invest
ment, which is more than one man in twenty
is making these hard times, the rate for fami-
lies IN Alameda for 1897 should not be over
20 cents per 1000 gallons, or just third less
than IL seems our Trustees have concluded to
allow him.
Ny position is either right or wrong. If il is
right land firmly believe 1t is) no one could
claim an injustice has been worked either to
Mr.. Thompson or the public. Right wrongs
nobody. A wrong wrongs all concerned
In this connection l can't rbear SUI gesting
that If this city owned her munc pal utilities
the same plant could pump the water, furnish
electric lights and also the power Tor running
the streetcars. Such an arrangement is not
so far off some might imagine. Municipal
Statcs-the world. Progressive Alameda will
not remain in the rear ranks of such grand
economic forward movement.
GBEEN MAJORS.
A Trial Run.
ALAMEDA. CAL, Feb. 17.-Conductor
Owens MADE trial run from Park street
to Frultyale with his broad-gauee local
train asst evening under orders from the
pier. The run was made in order to as
certain the necessary time required to
make the run. He accomplished 1t in five
minutes, and now the question arises
What does that mean?" Many think
that the trains will now run through with
the gates closed, making it necessary to
show ticket before entering. As this
has been announced so many times in
some form or other the citizens are salts.
fed to wait and see.
Convention of Church Men.
ALAMEDA, CAL, Feb. 17-Messrs. G.
A. Bordwell of the Presbyterian church,
Professor Anderson and George Whitman
of the Methodist church, have been ap-
pointed committee to arrange for con-
vention OF all mems organizations in the
churches around the bay. Its object will
be to systemic all church and Christian
work among men, irrespective OF denomi-
national lines.
Will Adopt a Badge Design.
ALAMEDA, CAL, Feb. 17.-Mrs. J. A.
Cameron, president of the Alameda CITY
nd
special meeting for Monday evening at
2244 Alameda avenue. The proposition of
suitable badges for the union and local
socie les for the July convention will be
considered and the recommendation OF
the County Uuion acted upon.