The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-07
WATER COMP ANY
WAR ON HAND
Insurance Men Petition the
Council to Alternate
Hydrants.
President Dingee Declares Such
Step Is but to Invite
Combination.
Contra Costa officials Declare That
They Are Taking No Hand
in AfSirs.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL.
QOS Broadway Nav g.

90S Broadway, May 8. !
The little black cloud on the horizon
that threatened to burst into a violent
storm has made its appearance in the City
Council Ii comes in the form of resolu-
ton ordering that all the fire MIGRANTS in
the city shall be alternated between the
two water companies. 1t present the
Oakland company is supplying all the n.y.
drants west Of Lake Merritt and the Con-
. ira Costa all those to the east of the lake.
The resolution was introduced by re-
quest of several insurance companies, and
in their petition they make the argument
that by alternating the hydrants the city
would, in case of fire. have the full bene-
fit of both water systems instead OF one, as
at present, and the resolution, based on
the petition, authorizes the Fire ard
Water Committee to proceed forthwith
with such changes.
At first glance this would seem very
ordinary and bus.ness-like proposition,
but it means great deal to both the water
companies, VINO have been for nearly
two years fighting for their existence.
The rents derived from the hydrants are
not their largest source of income, which
is derived from. the sewer flushing and
street sprinking, and with the present
distribution of hYdrants this would mean
q loss 10 the Oakland company and gain
to the Contra Costa company. According
TO the message { Mayor Thomas, 1t also
means another step toward forced COM
blnation OF both companies
President Dlngee OF the Oakland COM
pany says that the resolution, if passed,
would be a blow a the lie of the compe-
titon now going on.
ASA matter of fact" said Mr.. Dingee,
1.-THE nydrants OF tie Oakland company,
which were purchased by US and not by
the city, are as general rule on larger
mains than the Contra Costa company
could connect with. Our system is 50 con-
structed that these mains are connected
ateyery corner, thus placing no limit to
the volume OF water, and We have also
stored for emergency within mile or so
OF town Il, 600 900 gallons of water at an
elevation which would insure ample pres.
sure for any fire we could have for the
next twenty years.
There was no alarm here about fires
when there was bat one company, and
there is no alarm in San Francisco or any
city which only has one company. In
my opinion this is q method OF our rivals
10 decrease the income of our com panY.
80 far we have not made dollar out OF
the water business. The people have
made it all. We do not want to be driven
out and the adoption OF this alternating
resolution is a step in that direction. This
scheme is the beginning of plan TO force
us in,o partnership arrangement with
the Contra Costa, but it will never be, and
l do not believe that it is any part of the
Councils duty to force US into accepting
overturesI from the Contra Costa COM
pany."
The officers of the Contra Costa COM
pany decline to-day to discuss he mat
ter. They stated that this movement to
alternate the hydrants was started IN
known 10 them and they are not aware
OF the origin of it. They say they do not
intend to enter into any controversy, be-
lieving that the City Council ana the pub
lie can decide among themselves what is
for their best interests
Wh"n the matter came before the Fire
and Water Committee last night the mem
bers decided that it was a matter 10 be
dealt with by the Council as a committee
Of the whole, and motion to this effect
was made. A little latter it was again
brought up and the committee decided to
reconsider the whole matter at their next
meeting.
This is going to be one OF the hardest
fights We have ever had in the city of Oak
land, said Mr.. Cuvellier at the meeting.
II know 1t and you know it, and l 90 not
think 1t any use to waste time hearing all
the arguments that will certainly be gone
over again by the Council as a whole. 1t
looks like a skirmish IN advance of the
battle"